The USS Nevada was a revolutionary battleship that survived Pearl Harbor and Normandy

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: As the first US Navy standard-type battleship, the USS Nevada introduced radical design shifts that defined naval warfare for decades. From pioneering oil-fired engines to the all-or-nothing armor scheme, this warship became a legendary survivor, serving as the only battleship to get underway during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Commissioned in 1916, the Nevada was a technological leap forward. Its design replaced coal with oil, utilized geared steam turbines for superior range, and introduced triple gun turrets. Most significantly, it pioneered the all-or-nothing armor principle, which concentrated heavy protection over critical areas like magazines and engines while leaving less vital sections unarmored. This approach, which increased armor to 41.1% of the ship's displacement, was eventually adopted by most major navies.

The ship's resilience was tested during the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. While other battleships remained moored, the Nevada managed to get underway, becoming a symbol of defiance. Despite being struck by at least one torpedo and six bombs, the crew beached the vessel to prevent it from sinking in the deep channel. The ship's survival was aided by the fact that its main magazines were empty, as the crew had been in the process of replacing projectiles when the attack occurred.

Following salvage and extensive modernization at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, the Nevada returned to service as a fire-support vessel. It holds the unique distinction of being the only battleship present at both the Pearl Harbor attack and the Normandy landings in June 1944. Later, it participated in the invasion of Southern France, where it engaged the heavily fortified Big Willie fortress, and supported the invasion of Iwo Jima. After the war, the ship was used as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic experiments at Bikini Atoll before being sunk in 1948.

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