Official partners of the Pearl Harbor
Memorial Parade
AMERICAN BATTLESHIPS
Moored at Pearl Harbor
OTHER AMERICAN VESSELS
USS Maryland: 1921 - 1959
USS Maryland, a 32,600 Colorado class battleship, was built in Newport News, Virginia. She was commissioned
in July of 1921. During the 1920's and 30's, she participated in regular fleet training and combat
exercises.
In 1922, Maryland made a long distance cruise to Rio De Janeiro to participate in Brazil's Centennial Exposition.
She also was part of the U.S. Fleet's trans-Pacific voyage in 1925 and President Herbert Hoover's 1928 good will tour
of Latin America. In 1940, her base was changed from Long Beach, California to Pearl Harbor.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, during the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Maryland received relatively light
damage thanks to its position in relation to the USS Oklahoma, which received most of the torpedoes
fired in their direction. She was, however, hit by two armor piercing bombs that detonated below her
deck, killing 4 of her crew. During the attack all of her anti-aircraft batteries were promptly manned.
It is believed that Maryland's crew was able to shoot down up to 7 enemy planes.
USS Maryland after the Pearl Harbor attack
On December 30, 1941, Maryland limped into Puget Sound Navy Yard for repairs and upgrades. She was
instrumental in the assault on the island of
Tarawa
and the battle of
Saipan.
During this battle, she delivered a devastating barrage on the island when a Japanese bomber dropped a torpedo that hit the Maryland's
portside bow. She returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs. In April of 1945, Maryland was sent to intercept a Japanese
surface force. During this mission, She was hit, yet again, by a Japanese plane. A kamikaze crashed into the top of one of
her turrets killing 53 of her crew. Even while damaged, she valiantly continued the fight. In July of 1959, the USS
Maryland was sold for scrapping.
