Launched in 1940, North Carolina was the first U.S. newly built
battleship to have taken part in the war in the Pacific. During her busy
combat career she demonstrated that battleships could perform very well
indeed in their new role as escorts for fleet aircraft carriers and
weapon platforms providing fire support for ground troops. Having earned
no fewer than 15 Battle Stars during her wartime service, North Carolina
was the most highly decorated US Navy battleship of World War II. After
decommissioning, she escaped the chopping block and is preserved to this
day as a floating museum