This is an old slide that I converted to a photo with the great loss of quality! Photo taken October 1976. USS Massachusetts (BB-59), known as Big Mamie to her crewmembers during World War II was one of four fast battleships of the South Dakota class. Massachusetts has the distinction of having fired the US Navy's first and last 16 inch (406 mm) shells of the war. Her main battery consisted of nine 16 inch (406 mm) in three triple turrets that were capable of firing 2,700-pound (1,200 kg) armor piercing shells. Her secondary battery consisted of twenty 5 inch (12.7 cm) which could hit targets up to 9 miles (14 km) away. For defense against air strikes, she was fitted with an anti aircraft battery of 50 cal machine guns and 1.1 inch guns. With a wholesale shift to air power at the dawn of World War II came the imperative to gain and maintain air superiority in order to protect the growing fleet of Allied aircraft carriers. By the end of the war Massachusetts sported an array of Oerlikon 20 mm and quadruple Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns. She was ordered December 15, 1938 and built by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. She was launched September 23, 1941 and commissioned on May 12, 1942. She was decommissioned less than 5 years later and currently sits in Fall River, Massachusetts, as a floating museum. The USS Massachusetts was awarded 11 Battle Stars during World War II. Most of the information from Wikipedia. I post this photo in memory of the 2,403 Americans that were killed and 1,178 others wounded the morning of December 7, 1941. Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments. They are very much appreciated. Dana