The Pennsy- Pearl Harbor Survivor and Avenger

 

The USS Pennsylvania at sea in 1934
Image Retrieved From: www.history.navy.mil

    Today we remember the 2,403 American lives lost on this infamous day 81 years ago. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 started like any other day, but by its end, the United States and the world were changed forever. One of the witnesses to that horrific event was the USS Pennsylvania. 

    The "Pennsy," as the ship was affectionately called, was commissioned in 1916 after three years of construction and outfitting. As the lead vessel of the "Pennsylvania-class" battleships, the Pennsy was the most advanced battleship of its day. Armament consisted of twelve 14 inch guns, twenty-two 5 inch guns, and four 3 inch anti-aircraft guns. At its thickest point, steel armor 13.5 inches thick protected the ship. Fully crewed, the Pennsylvania was home to 1,159 officers, sailors, and marines.

    Unlike all the other battleships at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7th, 1941, Pennsylvania was not moored on Battleship Row within the harbor. The ship was in dry dock undergoing repairs at the time. One of the ill-fated ships moored in the harbor was the USS Arizona, a sister-ship in the Pennsylvania-class battleships.

    When the Japanese attack began around 8:00 am, the Pennsylvania's crew took to their guns to defend their ship and fellow comrades. During the attack, a bomb hit the ship, killing the entire crew manning one of the gun emplacements. In all, 15 crew were killed and 14 declared missing. USS Arizona, took several direct hits from Japanese bombs. In a tremendous explosion, the ship sank to the bottom of the shallow harbor. Over 1,100 crewmen were killed, resulting in the greatest loss of life on any of the ships that day. 

The Pennsy (background) after the Pearl Harbor attack. 
Image Retrieved From: www.history.navy.mil

    Compared to other vessels, USS Pennsylvania suffered relatively minor damage during the attack and was back on duty by April 1942. Her armament now consisted of her main 14 inch guns along with sixteen 5 inch guns, and 100 anti-aircraft guns. Once again a force to be reckoned with, she served with distinction throughout the Pacific Theater. From the Aleutian Islands to Okinawa, Pennsy’s guns avenged the losses sustained at Pearl Harbor.  

    On August 12, 1945, Pennsylvania was hit by a torpedo that killed 20 of her crew and almost sank the ship. This bestowed the distinction of being the last ship of significance to be damaged by enemy action during the war. News of Japan's surrender would come just two days later. After a precarious journey back to the United States for repairs, the ship was deemed obsolete and only repairs needed to keep her afloat were initiated. USS Pennsylvania was then prepared for her final mission.

 

USS Pennsylvania bombarding Japanese position at Guam in 1944
Image Retrieved From: www.history.navy.mil

 In July 1946, Pennsy, along with other damaged, captured, or obsolete ships, was used as a target in two atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. Though "obselete," Pennsy survived the tests intact, however was now heavily irradiated. Since it was still afloat, Pennsylvania was used for radiation research until February 19, 1948 when it was towed out to sea and scuttled, bringing to an end 32 years of distinguished service.  

One of the last photos of the USS Pennsylvania as she is scuttled
Image Retrieved From: visitpearlharbor.org

    While the ship now rests on the bottom of the sea, there are several parts of it that remain on land. Two of USS Pennsylvania's main guns had been removed during a refit in 1945. After being repaired, they were placed in storage in Virginia and forgotten about for over 50 years. After rediscovery, they were transported to the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Centre County for display in 2009. Pennsy’s bell also survives and is on display at Penn State University. 

Pennsy's 14 inch guns on display at the Pennsylvania Military Museum
Photo Retrieved From: https://www.pamilmuseum.org/uss-pennsylvania

Information Retrieved From:

USS Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Military Museum. Retrieved December 6,       2020. https://www.pamilmuseum.org/uss-pennsylvania

Naval History and Heritage Command. USS Pennsylvania BB-38. Retrieved from December 6, 2020 https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-navy-ships/battleships/pennsylvania-bb-38.html