State of Iowa

The State of Iowa has been involved in USS IOWA’s life from the beginning at New York Naval Shipyard.  Pacific Battleship Center is grateful for the tireless effort and financial support the state as a whole has provided in keeping the legacy of the battleship alive.  As our thank you to the State of Iowa and its citizens, Pacific Battleship Center provides a no-cost general tour to visitors that show a valid State of Iowa drivers license at the ticket booth.  We look forward to a long continued relationship with the namesake of the greatest battleship in the world!

At the first commissioning of USS IOWA, on 22 February 1943, there were numerous dignitaries present from the State of Iowa.  The ship was sponsored by Mrs. Ilo Wallace, wife of Vice President Henry Wallace and State of Iowa residents.  Also present from the State of Iowa was Governor Bourke B. Hickenlooper and Mrs. Bourke B. Hickenlooper, Lieutenant Governor Robert D. Blue and Mrs. Robert D. Blue, Senator B.C. Whitehill of Marshall County, and the Hon. John R. Gardner of Linn County.

On 28 April 1984, State of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad at USS IOWA recommissioning.

On 23 March 2011, RADM Gerald E. Gneckow USN (retired), State of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, and Robert Kent, President of Pacific Battleship Center meet at the Iowa State Capital in Des Moines, IA to discuss the future of Battleship Iowa.