Which is the most symbolic American battleship? (WW2, war, bomb)
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As weapons of war go, few things were more symbolic to nations than battleships. I'll stick with the 20th century... help me identify which battleship best symbolizes America.
The USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). America's first "super dreadnought" and flagship of the fleet, the Pennsylvania (along with the Arizona) symbolized the superpower status of America during and after WW1. The Pennsylvania escaped major damage at Pearl Harbor and went to to see more combat in WW2 than just about any other ship in the war. Even a nuclear bomb couldn't sink her when she was used as a test target after the war; she was scuttled as "too hot to handle" afterwards. I would LOVE to see the wreck today; I bet she's in better shape than any sunken battleship in the world.
The USS Arizona. Obvious reasons here... She was old technology, never saw an actual battle (apart from Pearl Harbor, anyway) and wouldn't have stood a chance against newer foreign super-battleships but she is certainly one of the most famous ships ever to exist today.
The USS North Carolina (BB-55). Not well known today either, but she was the first new battleship to be built after the Pennsylvania class; her triumphant arrival at Pearl harbor signified to tens of thousands of sailors that we were back in fight! The North Carolina participated in every major naval battle of the war and statistically speaking was the most successful battleship, earning 15 battle stars... more than any other during the war.
The USS Missouri. Although she arrived late in the war and didn't see too much action, WW2 officially ended on her deck and the Missouri had a long career, eventually becoming the last American battleship to be decommissioned in 1992. Along with the other Iowa class battleships, Missouri symbolized the pinnacle of battleship design.
Location: Finally escaped The People's Republic of California
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I picked the Mighty Mo, although I do believe that the Arizona and the Missouri sort of go together...
As a side note, I work across the river from the Suisun Bay Naval Reserve Fleet (Mothball Fleet). The USS Iowa was anchored there until a few months ago, She was towed to the Port of Richmond (Ca). Where she being cleaned up to become part of a museam.
I think the refitted New Mexico class (Idaho, Mississippi, and New Mexico) were nice looking ships. They had a sleeker more horizontal bow profile than those constructed later and looked pretty bada**.
Arizona due to Pearl Harbor and the images of that broken back ship in resolving the nation to eliminate the Axis by forging a common front. That enduring image of the war years was passed on to the next generation. Representations of modern culture that shape memory: our families, school lectures, tv documentaries programming, films, millions of Revell Arizona kits that have been made since the 1950s, newsreels and events whenever Dec. 7 arrives every year. Even the popular media provide exposure by including the Arizona and memorial in their comments.
I have to agree on the USS Missouri, given her long commissioned life. The USS Arizona, while famous, only "participated" in one action, which resulted in her demise.
For overall action in WWII, I would have to go with the USS South Dakota, or USS Washington, both in major action from 1942 to 1945.
Regarding historic naval vessels, the real shame is the the great USS Enterprise was not saved after WWII, and was eventually scapped in the late 1950's. THAT ship should have been preserved; it's an outrage that it wasn't.
I'm going to break your rules and pull out Old Ironsides.
But if you insist on World War II, I say the Mighty Mo.
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