Colorado

Colorado is the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships. Her keel was laid down on 29 May 1919, she was launched on 22 March 1921 and commissioned on 30 August 1923. She is considered as one of the "Big Seven". Colorado had the toughest armor plating for her time. She saw a long and active career that took her into both Atlantic and Pacific oceans. She participated in a number of fleet exercises in the inter-war years, and also briefly served in various tasks such as becoming a training ship, and even assisting in the search for Amelia Earhart. During the Second World War, USS Colorado saw extensive action throughout the Pacific against the Japanese, being a constant presence in pre-invasion shelling and fire support actions from Tarawa all the way to Okinawa. For her service, USS Colorado was awarded seven battle stars.