Battleship X

BB57 The USS South Dakota; Battleship "X"

Old Nameless, as she was sometimes affectionately called, became a legend before she was a year old. Security was tight. U. S. leaders were tense. Information for news media was nonexistent and the identity of the battleship was concealed in secrecy. Battleship X was of a new class of battleships bearing up-to-date armament and possessing extensive firepower.

Her christening name did not appear anywhere on board. Diaries were banned. Personal belongings did not carry her name. No, it would not be prudent to allow the enemy even a scrap of information concerning this costly floating battlewagon.

She valiantly fought through the heaviest air attack ever made on a battleship, sending 32 Japanese planes to the sea in flaming fire, pandemonium, and ruin. Three Japanese cruisers were sent to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean within a matter of minutes during the battle of Guadalcanal as a result of her efforts.

The identity of this valiant ship, the USS South Dakota, was finally released October 2, 1943. She was Admiral Halsey's Flagship, Queen of the Fleet.

(excerpt from http://www.green-trust.org/southdakota.htm)

She was reported sunk by the Japanese several times, and just to make sure the Japanese Navy kept thinking that way, her identity remained as Battleship X for some time.

The ship (or at least parts of it) now rests in a park here in Sioux Falls, SD. Her exact outline is poured in a low cement wall surrounding the mast, guns and other memorabilia from the ship. In the center a round building houses many ship logs, awards, and instruments of the South Dakota.

The men who served aboard her come together every other year to reminisce about their cherished times aboard what they fondly refer to as the "BB57". And of course every year there are fewer & fewer men returning.

The namesake memorial is a source of pride for the citizens of Sioux Falls and South Dakota both. Every holdiay she is decorated with flags from bow to stern by the local Naval Reserve.

For more info. and pics. of the memorial see the following websites:

http://members.aol.com/ussdakota/ussdakota.htm

http://members.aol.com/ussdakota/history.htm

http://www.green-trust.org/southdakota.htm

C):-)