Historic ship continues to serve N.J. vets

Published April 21, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez
New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, fired the portside 5-inch gun of the USS New Jersey, while The Patriot Brass Ensemble played "Anchors Aweigh" during a ceremony on board the historic battleship April 15.

The ceremony was held on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, and was attended by Rieth, Sen. James Beach, Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd, Delaware River Port Authority CEO John J. Matheussen, Battleship NJ CEO Jim Schuck, Assemblyman Gilbert L. "Whip" Wilson and various other guests from veteran's organizations to announce the battleship's new initiative to provide free self-guided tours for all New Jersey veterans and military servicemembers.

As a humble way of showing their gratitude to military veterans who have put themselves in harm's way and have sacrificed so much for this state, Matheussen announced, "beginning immediately, veterans from any military branch, from any era who live in New Jersey can experience complimentary self-guided tours of the battleship from this day forward."

Redd, the first guest speaker, congratulated the Battleship for celebrating the ship's 10-year anniversary as a museum, while also thanking the organization for their support in offering free tours to Camden's elementary school, which allows the children to learn about the great and extraordinary history of the battleship and the sacrifices of military veterans who sailed on the ship.

Continuing the theme of thanking the veterans of past conflicts, Rieth thanked the veterans of World War II and Korean War.

"I was part of a generation that wasn't even born yet when you sacrificed and gave so much to our nation," said Rieth. "I want to say 'thank you' for your service to allow me to grow up in a great country like the United States of America and to live the American dream."

Rieth continued by also thanking the Vietnam vets. "Our nation didn't get right," he said in reference to Vietnam vets initially not being recognized as heroes when they returned home from the war. He stated how he looked up and modeled himself to the Vietnam veterans upon his entrance into the military, which allowed him to be the officer he is today.

Reiterating today's military is a volunteer force, Rieth thanked everyone in attendance and the many volunteers within the Battleship that are also veterans.

"You continue to serve by supporting all of us in uniform," said Rieth.

The USS New Jersey, the nation's largest and most decorated battleship was launched from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Dec. 7, 1942 and was commissioned May 23, 1943. She participated in several of the Western Pacific campaigns during World War II and was decommissioned at Bayonne, N.J. June 30, 1948 after completing her tours in the Pacific Ocean.

On Nov. 21, 1950, the USS New Jersey was re-commissioned to support troops in the Korean War and performed two tours of duty in Korean waters before being decommissioned again and placed in reserve status Aug. 21, 1957.

She once again was called to duty during the Vietnam War and was re-commissioned April 6, 1958 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard departing May 16, 1958. While in Vietnam, she augmented the naval gunfire support force in Southeast Asia. After completing her tour there, she was once again decommissioned Dec. 17, 1969 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington.

After undergoing several upgrades and modernization to the battleship, the USS New Jersey was once again re-commissioned Dec. 28, 1982 at the Naval Station Long Beach, Cal., and September 1983 she was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in support of the United States Sixth Fleet and provided naval vessel fire for Marines during the Lebanese Civil War. After completing her mission there, the USS New Jersey was decommissioned for the fourth and final time Feb. 8, 1991 at the Naval Station Long Beach, Cal.

Traveling more miles and firing more shells than any other battleship in history, the USS New Jersey was awarded 19 battle and campaign stars for her actions against enemy forces in four conflicts expanding more than five decades.

Today, the USS New Jersey is berthed at the Camden Waterfront in New Jersey and serves as a modern museum warship open to the public providing self-guided, tour-guided and overnight encampments on board the historical ship.

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