Launched: 7 June 1941
Commissioned: 20 March 1942
Decommissioned: 31 January 1947
The South Dakota served two tours in the Pacific Theater in WWII, with one tour with the British Home Fleet in between. The battleship next operated with the British Home Fleet, based at Scapa Flow, until 1 August when she returned to Norfolk, Virginia.
South Dakota received 13 battle stars for World War II service.
Because of the World War II exploits against the Japanese in the South Pacific, this mighty battleship became a legend before she was a year old. She caught the fancy of the American people when her heroics were reported in newspapers under the titles of "Battleship X" and "Old Nameless". “Old Incredible” would be an equally appropriate name for her.
Life aboard the South Dakota was filled with moments of terror followed by days of restless uncertainty. The men who called the South Dakota their home knew she could take a beating and still get them back to port. They also recognized that their captains were experienced sailors who knew how to handle the mammoth ship through the fiercest of battles and how to weather the mightiest of storms.
Most warships are built for an active career of 20 or 30 years. The USS South Dakota was in commission less than five. In that short lifetime she covered herself with more honors and glory than most ships realize in much longer periods of service. She truly was a legend before she was a year old.
Information taken from http://www.siouxfalls.org/CityLink_16/Programs/Feature_Programs/uss_south_dakota.aspx
The ship was disposed of, sold for scrapping on 11/25/1962. It was sold for scrap to Lipsett Division, Luria Brothers Co., Inc., New York City, NY
Information from http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/BB57.htm
In 1962 the Navy sold the BB57. However, the Navy was willing to donate relics from this ship and other scrapped battleships to the people of South Dakota and to the crew members, but transportation had to be paid for. Through donations from the crew members, a group of men were able to secure many of the parts from the ship.
Information taken from http://www.members.aol.com/ussdakota/ussdakota.htm