The USS Texas (BB-35), a formidable New York-class battleship, holds a distinguished place in naval history, having actively participated in both World War I and World War II. Commissioned in March 1914, this powerful vessel quickly became a crucial asset for the United States Navy, demonstrating its might across multiple theaters of war. Her service spanned decades, witnessing significant global conflicts and technological advancements in naval warfare. From supporting operations in Mexican waters to engaging in pivotal battles in Europe and the Pacific, the USS Texas played a vital role in key historical moments.
World War I: Joining the Fight in the North Sea
Initially, the USS Texas was deployed to Vera Cruz in May 1914, showcasing American naval presence during the occupation of the Mexican city. However, her role expanded dramatically with the outbreak of World War I. In early 1918, USS Texas crossed the Atlantic to join the British Grand Fleet in the North Sea. This deployment was a significant contribution to the Allied naval efforts in the European theater. Operating alongside the Grand Fleet, the USS Texas participated in crucial convoy escort duties and fleet maneuvers, ensuring the flow of supplies and contributing to the Allied blockade of Germany. Although not directly involved in major fleet engagements with the German High Seas Fleet, her presence was a vital deterrent and a symbol of growing American naval power on the world stage. She remained in the North Sea until the end of the war, returning to the United States in December 1918, marking the end of her first major wartime service.
Interwar Period and Modernization
Following World War I, the USS Texas returned to her duties with the Atlantic Fleet and was later reassigned to the Pacific Fleet in 1919. Designated BB-35 in 1920, she transitioned between the Atlantic and Pacific, reflecting the strategic needs of the US Navy. A significant phase in her career began in 1925 with a major modernization. This extensive overhaul included replacing her coal-fired boilers with more efficient oil-fired ones and upgrading her combat systems significantly. This transformation modernized her combat capabilities, ensuring she remained a relevant and powerful warship despite advancements in naval technology. Throughout the late 1920s and 1930s, USS Texas operated in both the Atlantic and Pacific, serving as a flagship for fleet and division exercises, demonstrating her continued importance in naval strategy and training.
World War II: Battles in the Atlantic and Mediterranean
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 once again thrust USS Texas into active combat. Initially, she joined the Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic, a crucial early effort to monitor and secure the Western Atlantic as tensions rose in Europe. As the United States moved closer to war, her role intensified. By 1941, USS Texas was actively involved in convoying shipping in the western Atlantic, providing vital protection against German U-boats. With America’s formal entry into WWII, USS Texas escorted troop and supply convoys to various critical locations, including Panama, West Africa, and the British Isles, playing a key role in the logistical support of the Allied war effort.
In a significant shift in October and November 1942, USS Texas transitioned to an offensive role, providing heavy gunfire support during the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch). Her powerful guns delivered crucial bombardment against enemy positions ashore, directly contributing to the success of the landings. Continuing her vital Atlantic duties, she remained engaged in convoy escort throughout 1943 and into 1944.
The year 1944 marked another pivotal moment: the Normandy landings (D-Day). In April 1944, USS Texas began intensive preparations for this massive operation. On June 6, 1944, she unleashed her 14-inch and 5-inch guns upon German coastal defenses, providing critical fire support for the Allied troops landing on Omaha Beach. For several days, her guns roared, softening enemy defenses and directly aiding the advance inland. Later, on June 25, during the bombardment of Cherbourg, France, USS Texas sustained damage from German coastal artillery, a testament to her close-range engagement with the enemy. In August 1944, her heavy guns were again brought to bear in the Mediterranean, supporting the landings in Southern France, further demonstrating her versatility and firepower across different theaters.
World War II: Pacific Theater and Final Engagements
Following an overhaul to repair battle damage and refit for the Pacific theater, USS Texas arrived in the Pacific war zone in early 1945. She participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945, providing her characteristic heavy gunfire support. From late March to late May 1945, USS Texas operated off Okinawa, engaging Japanese positions ashore and contributing to the intense fight against Japanese kamikaze attacks. Her anti-aircraft batteries were heavily engaged in defending against these determined aerial assaults, highlighting her role in both offensive and defensive operations. As the war drew to a close, USS Texas was preparing for the anticipated invasion of Japan when the atomic bombings and subsequent Japanese surrender occurred in August 1945.
Post-War Service and Legacy as a Memorial
With the end of World War II, USS Texas’s wartime service concluded. In late September 1945, she departed the Western Pacific and spent the next three months undertaking the vital mission of transporting veterans back to the United States, contributing to the demobilization efforts and the return of troops home. Arriving back on the Atlantic coast in February 1946, USS Texas was decommissioned in April 1948. However, her story did not end there. Recognizing her immense historical significance and contributions to the nation, she was turned over to the State of Texas to be preserved as a museum ship. Since then, USS Texas has been permanently berthed at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, serving as a memorial to her crew, the US Navy, and the sacrifices made during the wars she served in. She stands as a tangible link to the past, allowing visitors to experience a piece of naval history and reflect on the pivotal roles battleships played in global conflicts of the 20th century.
