California

USS California was the second ship of the two ship Tennessee Class Standard Battleships. Laid down on October 25th, 1916 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, USA. She was launched (born) on November 20th, 1919. Once commissioned on the 10th of August, 1921. She immediately became Flagship of the Pacific Fleet . And later on Flagship of the Battle Fleet, US Fleet. Which was her position in the USN from 1921 to 1941. During her service in The 20s and 30s. She was one of the most decorated ships of the Pacific Fleet. Winning The Gunnery "E" and The Battle Efficiency Pennants Twice. Along with taking home the "Iron Man Trophy" 4 times. Holding it for 3 three years the first time she won it. And in 1940 she received a set of the Navy's first Radar. The RCA CXAM Surface and Aircraft Search Radar. On the morning of December 7th, 1941. She was at Pearl Harbor moored at Battleship Row and was severely damaged/sunk during the Attack along with her sister Tennessee. Refloated in '42 and given emergency repairs. She went to Puget Sound Navy Yard to be permanently repaired. During which she was given a rebuild lasting till January of 1944. Coming out a whole new girl as a result. Once rebuilt she went to work Avenging the loss of her fellow comrades. By giving fire support and providing bombardment during US landings on Japanese held islands such as Guam, Saipan and Tinian during the Pacific War. She also was one of the Battleships alongside big sis Tennessee. That was part of Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf's Battlewagon Line at the Battle of Surigao Strait on the night of October 24th, 1944. Her 14in main battery contributed in the sinking of Fuso and her twin Yamashiro. Along with the death of Vice Admiral Shōji Nishimura. She even survived a Kamikaze attack on January 6th , 1945. While in the middle of a Fire Mission in the Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. Given emergency repairs on the spot. She finished her mission and then reported to PSNY for permanent repairs once again. After which she supported the landings at Okinawa. And then covered the landing of The Sixth Army Occupation Force at Wakanoura Wan, Honshū in September. Post War she reported to Philadelphia Navy Yard in Pennsylvania on the 4th anniversary of her sinking at Pearl. December 7th, 1945 to be decommissioned. Numerous attempts were made to buy her in order to make her a museum ship. Including one by Walt Disney in 1956. But being too wide after her rebuild to fit in the Panama Canal. All of them were futile in nature. And in 1959 she was sold to and scrapped by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Sparrows Point, Maryland.