The USS Nevada: The Indomitable Warship That Survived Nuclear Experiments

During the assault, the USS Nevada was struck by a Japanese Kamikaze but refused to go under at the hands of the Axis forces. After the war, the Nevada was deemed too old for service and slated for use as a target for the Bikini Atoll nuclear experiments. Despite being nuked twice, the Nevada refused to die, symbolizing an unyielding spirit and remarkable durability.

The USS Nevada BB-36

The USS Nevada, also known as the ldquo;Ship that would NOT sink,rdquo; stands as a testament to its indomitable will and unparalleled bravery. On December 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Nevada was under sustained attack. Despite sustaining significant damage, including the blast that injured the Officer of the Day's leg, he refused to relinquish control of the con until crewmen relieved him.

Chief Quartermaster Robert Sudberry navigated the damaged ship, managing to get the Nevada underway. To avoid blocking the harbor entrance, he successfully grounded the ship at Nevada Point, marking the first time she refused to capitulate to the enemyrsquo;s plans. From there, the ship underwent repairs in Washington state and reentered the war in 1942, participating in operations in the Aleutians, the D-Day landings, and the invasion of Southern France.

The Diverse Campaigns of the United States Navy

The USS Nevada engaged in a series of critical operations during the war. Her participation in the bombardment of Iwo Jima and Okinawa demonstrated her versatility and bravery. During the Okinawa campaign, she faced not only shelling from shore batteries but also a direct hit from a kamikaze aircraft, which killed several sailors, and a hit from a shore battery that killed two more.

Upon the conclusion of the war, the USS Nevada ended up at Bikini Atoll, where it was chosen as the target for the Able nuclear testand then a second underwater blast dubbed "Baker." Although the ship did not sink, it suffered heavy damage and became highly radioactive. Despite the efforts of the USS Iowa to tow the Nevada for further gunnery practice, it eventually succumbed to an aerial torpedo on October 31, 1948.

The Legacy of the USS Nevada

On May 11, 2020, a joint expedition by Ocean Infinity, the Pacific Constructor, and SEARCH Inc. headed by Dr. James Delgado discovered the remains of the Nevada. Today, her location is marked by her inverted position on the seafloor, and her name lives on in the modern USS Nevada, an Ohio-class boomer, an essential part of the United States Navy's nuclear deterrence strategy.

Four hundred and seventeen pounds of the Nevada's mined silver from Tonopah and gold from Goldfield, Nevada, donated by citizens of Nevada, now display her lasting honor. The legacy of the USS Nevada remains a powerful symbol of American military resilience and the enduring spirit that has guided and protected the nation throughout its history.

Every bit as stubborn as a Nevada rancher, the USS Nevada survived battles with the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Imperial Japanese Army, and the German Army, including two nuclear tests. Finally, after enduring an aerial torpedo, she rested peacefully on the seafloor, her final act a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Rest easy, old girl.