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CREW OF BB-62

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USS NEW JERSEY BB-62

BB62 was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, and launched December 7, 1942- just a year after the Pearl Harbor Attack brought America into WWII.

The USS NEW JERSEY (BB62) was actually the second ship to be called “NEW JERSEY”, the first being BB16, a turn of the century (19th century) battleship. The first Battleship New Jersey (BB-16) was a Virginia class pre-dreadnought that served from 1906 until she was sunk as a bombing target in 1922. She sailed with the Great White Fleet and served her country in World War I as a training vessel.

NEW JERSEY was decommissioned for the last time on February 8,1991 at Bremerton, Washington where she resided until heading home to New Jersey. She was officially stricken from the Navy list on February 12,1995 but was then ordered reinstated by an order of congress as a mobilization asset under Bill 1024 section 1011. On January 4, 1999 NEW JERSEY was again stricken from the Navy list and IOWA replaced her as a mobilization asset. On September 12, 1999 NEW JERSEY began her Final Voyage home from Bremerton, where she had rested in mothballs for the last 8 years. On November 11th, she arrived at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Since that time, she has been restored, opened and established as an educational museum and a tribute to the brave sailors who served on her during her long and distinguished career. The Battleship New Jersey opened as a Museum and Memorial in October 2001.

Her full history can be seen by clicking links at the left, or come aboard and take the tour and learn what life was like for a battleship sailor.
Experience the Battleship New Jersey.

America's most decorated Battleship is now the area's most exciting museum, open for tours, events and overnight encampments. Exploring “BB62” is experiencing history in a whole new way. Not only do you see exhibits of artifacts from the ship’s past, but you are put into the exhibit as you go through the tour route. Sit in the chair from which Admiral Halsey commanded the fleet. Stretch out on the bunks where the sailors slept. Climb into the 16” gun turret and learn how the projectiles were loaded.

From the moment you step across the ship’s brow you will understand that this is a museum where visitors take an active role. From strolling across forecastle to climbing the original ladders up to the bridge, and beyond, each step in your journey brings you closer to understanding what life was like for a sailor on the Battleship New Jersey.
 THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

Your Support Keeps the Battleship New Jersey Afloat!

The Battleship New Jersey Needs YOU!

As a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Battleship New Jersey would not exist without the support of donors and volunteers. It is because of the generosity of individuals, corporations and the public sector that we can continue to maintain the ongoing restoration, preservation and educational programs that take place onboard the ship. The Battleship New Jersey depends on your donations.

Thanks to your support, we can continue to fulfill our mission to preserve, restore, exhibit and educate.
Sleep over on the Battleship New Jersey

Spend a night on the legendary Battleship New Jersey, a floating museum on the Camden Waterfront across from Center City Philadelphia. From the moment you walk up the gangway, you'll be greeted with a breathtaking display of the battleship's size- nearly three football fields long and eleven stories high. During your stay, you'll develop an appreciation of her strength- an Iowa-class battleship built to "keep floating and keep fighting". Imagine her awesome power including nine 16-inch guns that once reached land targets nearly twenty-three miles away. Provide a lifetime of memories for your group with an Overnight Encampment aboard the Battleship New Jersey.

Fun Filled Adventures

Enter the ship's legendary 16-inch gun turrets. Visit the Combat Engagement Center, and participate in a simulated launch of a Tomahawk missile. See the Captain's and Admiral's cabins and the Officer's Wardroom while you climb up and down the ship's original ladders and companionways.

Boy Scouts: Ask about our Merit Badge programs.

Girl Scouts: Experience the Girls Only night! Featuring a USO-style performance and a presentation by a female Navy veteran.

Outstanding Educational Opportunities

Learn about the role the Battleship New Jersey, the most decorated battleship in US Naval history played in World War ll, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. The Ship store features many books, models and products about the battleship, the US Navy and our Armed Forces.

Live Like a Sailor

The Battleship New Jersey's overnight encampment program can accommodate groups and families of all sizes up to 300. Come aboard and:
  • Stow your gear in a locker — the same lockers that held sailor's personal belongings when at sea.
  • Sleep in bunks- just like enlisted sailors.
  • "Chow down" in the Crew's Mess.
  • Even purchase a personalized "Dog Tag"!

Call Today for More Information

The Battleship New Jersey's Encampment Department can be reached at 866-877-6262 ext. 203. All encampments must be booked in advance.

Effective April 1, Overnight parking in the Parking Garage will be $11 per vehicle.

For pre-boarding package,
click here.
For booking procedures,
click here.

Adult Encampments are Here!

VFW, military reunions and other adult groups, why just visit the Battleship New Jersey when you can spend the night! Re-live life aboard our nation's largest battleship. We also offer menu upgrades, team-building programs, entertainment and more. Encampments are for groups only. For more information, call 1-866-877-6262 ext. 203 or email
overnights@battleshipnewjersey.org.

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THE SINKING OF IJN YAMATO? April 7, 1945 (From the DIARY OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICER VICTOR FELTES - USS NEW JERSEY...)
?April 7, 1945 -
Something is cooking! We are staying in the Task Group. Planes are hitting Okinawa.
1130 - Battle announcer tells us that we have just launched an air strike of 300 planes against a Jap task force of 1 BB, 2 Cruisers and 10 DD?s, 220 miles away, North of Okinawa. Over 150 planes were shot down by Task Group 58.1 and 58.3 yesterday and an undetermined number over Okinawa. Supposed to be using all types of planes and this no doubt is their bid to stop us. DD reports 9 planes passed over it on its way to attack 58.1. Our CAP splashed 2 this morning. Jap got two hits, and neither serious yesterday. RANDOLPH joined us last night.
1222 - General Alarm ring as HANCOCK in task group on horizon received a bomb hit and is afire.
1234 - 5 planes shot down by CAP near our picket boat.
1315 - Our communications plane with air strikes over Jap surface force reports hit on BB, Cruiser and 3 DD?s dead in the water.
1326 - Secured from GQ.
1341 - General Alarm rings as task group 58.1 off of our port bow opens up on two planes coming in low.
1400 - 5 planes have been splashed by C.A.P. with another raid at 13 miles.
1420 - 58.3 opens up with intense AA fire and 1 plane is shot down in flames.
1500 - Since 1300, 9 single engine, and 5 twin engine planes have been shot down by our forces.
1615 - Captain tells crew incomplete reports have heavy cruiser sunk, other dead in water burning fiercely, 3 DD?s sunk, and BB hit by 3-1,000 lb bombs and torpedoes, making 1 knot in the water. All ships were hit in the Jap Task Force.
1645 - Captain announced that Jap BB, 2 cruisers and 5 DD?s were sunk. 2 DD?s left burning and dead in water from later reports. Another Jap BB and 3 DD?s reported under observation.
(Continuing action reports and repeated GQ, April 8, 9 and10, scuttlebutt USS NEW JERSEY headed stateside.)
April 11, 1945 - 1350 hours GQ. Many bogeys reported closing at 65 miles.
1406 - South Dakota and DD?s open up.
1411 - NJ opens up for 3 minutes and shoots down 4th plane - barely misses carrier exploding in water.
1440 - BUNKER HILL CAP reports shooting down 3 Japs.
1454 - NJ opens up, Plane just misses carrier in flames.
1506 - 6 planes have been shot down by ship?s AA fire and NJ continuously firing on targets.
1520 - TF Commander tells all ships a message has been intercepted from Jap coordinator for another
attack. All quiet now. 9 planes were shot down so far within our formation.
1550 - USS KIDD coming alongside to transfer wounded personnel.
1625 - TF Commander tells all ships to expect an all out air attack by Japs in the next two days?

According to Chief Feltes - In the 5 days from April 7, 1945 with the destruction of the Japanese fleet, including IJN YAMATO, and up through the announcement of President Roosevelt?s death occurring on April 12, 1945, USS NEW JERSEY was in nearly continuous combat. On April 14, USS NEW JERSEY began transfer of planes and spare parts. Again, according to Chief Feltes:?Looks like this is it!? as the ship leaves the task group with ENTERPRISE, MINNEAPOLIS, and 3 DD?s for Ulithi. ?The first leg of our homeward journey.? On April 15, 1945, Admiral Badger transfers his flag to USS IOWA. On April 19, 1945, USS NEW JERSEY is underway for Pearl Harbor and the United States in company with USS MINNEAPOLIS. She arrived at Puget Sound Navy Yard on May 4, 1945, commenced unloading ammunition, and the crew began leave. May 8, 1945 welcomes in VE Day, ?Today the war in Europe came to an end!? On July 4, 1945, USS NEW JERSEY was underway again for Long Beach, and ?10 day refresher course and gunnery exercise, before leaving for the combat area.? On August 2, 1945, USS NEW JERSEY put out for the forward area, and ?Eniwetok for a couple of weeks and to pick up Admiral Halsey. He will transfer his flag from USS MISSOURI. On the way, we will throw some shells at Wake Island.? On August 8, 1945 at 1000, we started to bombard Wake Island with 16? (106 rounds are recorded as fired at Wake...) opening up at 16,000 yards. Return fire was encountered from the beach when we closed to work them over with 5?? Aug 10, 1945 another atomic bomb dropped on Japan! August 13,1945 anchored in Apra Harbor, Guam at 1235? August 15, 1945 It?s official, the war is over!
Aug 17, 1945 Admiral Spruance?s flag raised aboard USS NEW JERSEY??
(Article Courtesy of The Jerseyman)
                                                                                                             December 27, 2004
Dear Sir,
          I was watching a show on the history channel last night about Iwo Jima.  In explaining the battle, the narrator mentioned something about battleship support off the coast of the island and I wondered if my father had been there.   You see, as a young man my father served in the south pacific during WWII on the Battleship New Jersey. Curiosity aroused, I jumped onto the internet and did a Google search.  I quickly punched in my father's name and low and behold… I found your
Jerseyman article!   It is the article about the first edition of the ship's newspaper where the paper held a contest to pick a name.  An unbelievable amount of joy and pride swept over me as I read my father's name. He was PFC. Carl W. Ritner, USMC… the young marine who submitted the winning entry of naming “The Jerseyman” in November of 1943.          I can't tell you how much I appreciate the gift you have given me.  I quickly shared this information with my mother who was delighted to read it as well.  Although she knew he was involved with the paper (she told me he drew some of the paper's comics) she was unaware that he came up with the name for the paper.     She will be happily passing this information on to my brother (Carl W. Ritner II
) and sister.   Although my father passed away in January of 1982, he is still in our hearts and we are very proud of his service on the Battleship New Jersey.
Cordially, 

Robert W. Ritner
Henderson, Nevada
  

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From a photo caption in The Jerseyman’s January 15, 1944 issue…:
            “In the photograph above,
Pfc. Ritner, winner of the Ship’s Paper Name Contest, gets the big ten buck prize from the hands of the chairman of the Board of Judges, Commander E.S. Addison, while other members of the Board look on.  Ritner, who also draws cartoons for this publication, proposed the winning name, “THE JERSEYMAN.”

            In the picture, left to right, are
Lieut. J.J. Gafney, Chaplain; Commander Addison, Pfc. Ritner,  Lieut. Commander P.W. Dickman, , and Lt. (jg) J.C.C. Edelstein, JERSEYMAN editor.”

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