The USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship in the United States Navy's last, and most battle-worthy, battleship class, which also included the New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Missouri. This volume explores Iowa's design, construction, launching, and commissioning, as well as its extensive wartime activities in both World War II and Korea. Also covered are its post-Korea years in the reserve "mothball fleet," recommissioning in 1984, and coverage of the tragic 1989 turret explosion that killed forty-seven sailors. The carefully researched photos, many of which have never before been published, are reproduced in remarkable clarity, and coupled with descriptive and informative captions, this book puts the reader on the deck of this historic warship throughout her history. AUTHOR: Author of over 100 books, David Doyle was presented the Bart Vanderveen Award, recognizing, "the individual who has contributed the most to the historic preservation of military vehicles worldwide" in 2015 by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. SELLING POINTS: . Chronicles the construction, launch, commissioning, and operations of the USS Iowa from 1940 to today . Illustrated with scarce archival photographs from diverse collections, including previously unpublished images . Includes coverage of Iowa's current use as a museum ship in Los Angeles, California 277 colour and b/w photographs