From Pearl Harbor to the Normandy Invasion: the USS Nevada's Forgotten History

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

In the episode I say the shells from the 14 inch, forty-five caliber main battery were 500 lbs. in fact, high explosive rounds were 1,125 pounds. I apologize for the error.

[@braden1373]

Apology accepted Sir!

[@paulboy9101]

That’s OK. For a future mental fact check, Battleship shells weigh about the same as a small car.

[@slavkovalsky1671]

@@paulboy9101 Depends on the caliber; the increase in weight is pretty steep with deceptively "small" caliber increments: from around 800 pounds for 12-inch shells to well over 2000 lb for 16-inch ordnance as used by later US battleships (such as USS Missouri)

[@danrowley6934]

It happens to the BEST of us. You for example. 👍👍

[@stevep5408]

Please don't apologise just make the correction. We know how hard you work to enlighten us!

[@LV_CRAZY]

As a Navy veteran, Fire Controlman and proud Nevadan I must say this was a masterful telling of history of the USS Nevada, of her glorious service to our nation and the preservation of Democracy. Well done sir!

[@codyslayer6715]

Thank you for your service!

[@LTMarhman]

I almost teared up a little. I hope this cantankerous sailor from Nevada is as stubborn about going down as this ship!

[@edwaggoner816]

The USA is a Republic not a democracy.

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

If I ended up somehow in a time travel situation, and ended up in ww2, I would try and get onto the USS Nevada.

[@cleverusername9369]

@@edwaggoner816 wrong. America is both a democracy and a republic, a republic being a form of democracy the same way a Labrador is a form of dog. We're a democracy in that we vote for representatives, and a republic in that those elected representatives exercise political power. A republic is just a form of representative democracy. Democratic and small "d" democratic are different things.

[@theallseeingmaster]

My father walked ashore on Utah beach, during the first day of battle, with dry feet, thanks to the Nevada and her sister ships.

[@kevinreardon2558]

Those were men who were beyond brave.

[@theallseeingmaster]

@@kevinreardon2558 Their only body armor, storming those beaches into withering automatic machine gun fire and accurate artillery, was a thin cotton shirt. Think about that, a cotton shirt. Medieval soldiers and archers were better protected in battle wearing simple, easily manufactured chain mail body armor.

[@kevinreardon2558]

@@theallseeingmaster Chain mail is no longer used because it does not stop bullets. All it would have accomplished would be to weight them down so they would drown a little easier. But still, I don't think I could have held my fudge being confronted with that kind of firepower.

[@theallseeingmaster]

@@kevinreardon2558 you missed the point.

[@kevinreardon2558]

@@theallseeingmaster No, I got it. But archers weren't equipped with 50cal machine guns. The meat grinder that was that day had never been seen before. Perhaps Gettysburg was worse but I'm not much of a historian.

[@steveclark4291]

It is a shame that they didn't turn her into a museum ! With a history like that she might have brought a lot of people to see her in person ! Thank you for another awesome video !

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

Stood at his post and loaded 30+ tons of ammo with a broken hand. Every once in a while I'm reminded why this WAS the greatest generation.

[@stevec7770]

Shawn Johns Broken finger

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

@@stevec7770 isn't that part of the hand?

[@arturzatorski595]

There were no "safe spaces" back then. Men had to be "Men".

[@scythelord]

@@arturzatorski595 That's the origin of all the difference. The more people are taken care of, the softer and less capable they become. Humanity will destroy themselves through making life too easy.

[@HM2SGT]

Shawn Johns Not that I disagree, and not to detract from your observation but I submit to you that the quiet heroes still exist. If you Google AC 130 gunships, you’ll find similar stories in recent history. The airborne gun bunnies often sacrifice their physical well-being and comfort to protect ammunition as they’re loading, flying the friendly skies they encounter turbulence and a broken hand is better than that 105 going boom! Still, it’s worth noting that I’ve never encountered a story of such extreme endurance on the Spectre crews.

[@frankenzion0001]

The Nevada, she'd been sunk once, and wasn't going let it happen again without a fight!

[@scotchsoda3165]

Battle Born!!

[@gtoycoma]

Actually, she wasn't sunk at Pearl Harbor. She ran aground while trying to escape the bombs, but not sunk.

[@MorganJServices]

What a fine Tribute to the Nevada and her crew.

[@kimweaver3323]

Major League steel BADASS.

[@ericunderwood1482]

@Philip Freeman for sure!

[@mohican6227]

This was brilliantly told. You made me sit up.cheer. God love them all. We need history back in schools. NOW

[@johnbockelie3899]

Those old battleships were built to last. The USS Tennessee.was also raised.and rebuilt and returned to fighting. She was scrapped in 1960. She was used at Iwo Jima in 1945.

[@gtoycoma]

It's sad what the U.S. Education Association thinks is and isn't important education now.

[@windborne8795]

@@johnbockelie3899 It's a great shame that many of these old battlewagons, and many other types of warships, weren't preserved as museum ships; the world over... 🇺🇸

[@alitlweird]

*_Proud Nevadan here and US Navy vet. LOVE this episode! Thanks for making!!_* 🇺🇸⚓️ edit: served aboard USS America (CV-66 -a Kitty Hawk class carrier) Been a Nevadan for 23 years! 😄

[@Tmrfe0962]

Thank you Sir....our nation holds a debt to you that cannot be repaid....know that there are legions of us that hold you and your fellows in the highest regard. Always.

[@rvasquez8057]

Thank you for your service. BZ

[@smartyrdumb4681]

Cap off, Sir.

[@therugburnz]

Thank you for protecting my family.

[@cincomithell]

By Nevadan you mean from the state or the sip?!

[@karlharrelson1091]

Thank you so much for this informative video. My Dad served aboard Nevada during those years, but he rarely spoke of those times. He passed in 1996, and this video has helped me understand what he went through. He lied about his age and was only 17 on D-Day. Lots of young men did this back then. He may even appear in this footage staring at the beach through binoculars. His battle station was as an observer on the aft searchlight platform. His reputation earned him the nickname of the 'Human Radar' for his excellent eyesight. And now I will think of him that day and be proud of his service to America. I am proud to display the silver dollar presented to each crew member by the State of Nevada for their action at Cherbourg.

[@sarjim4381]

The Nevada's 14" rifles had a tested range 19.89 miles. Luckily for the troops ashore on D-Day, Nevada had been refitted at the start of 1944 with the most modern fire control radars. She was able to provide danger close gunfire support better than an any other battleship that day. As she moved closer to shore she was able to bring her ten 5" guns to bear as well. So many 5: shells were fired that some sailors from the gun crews from the 5" turrets on the non-beach side of the ship had to be used to toss enough empty brass overboard so sailors could actually walk on the decks. She then stayed offshore shelling other German positions until the end of June before proceeding to New York for a reline of her worn out gun barrels. After her refit and adding even more modern gun direction radars she proceeded to the Pacific and continued her gunfire support role off Iwo Jima, shelling Japanese positions within 100 yards of advancing Marines. After Iwo, she then proceeded ot Okinawa and again shelled Japanese positions. She was struck by a Kamikaze on March 27, 1945 and was hit by five armor piercing shells from a Japanese shore battery on April 5. She was able shrug off the damage to continue on the gunline until April 19 before proceeding to Pearl Harbor for a quick repair and barrel relining again. She was back at Okinawa by early June and was then assigned to shell high value targets in coastal Japan. She was able to destroy everything from steel plants to shipyards in preparation for the invasion of Japan. It's possible Nevada may have been the last battleship to fire her main battery guns in anger for WWII. She was offshore from Japan firing at a Japanese airfield. Word of the surrender came just as full broadside was on its way. As far as I can find out, no other battleship had a gunfire assignment that day. She fought from the very first to the very last day of the war. She survived sinking at Pearl Harbor, being hit by German and Japanese shore batteries, and shot down at least 17 Japanese planes before and after being hit by a Kamikaze. She fired 5,028 14" rounds, 18,297 5" rounds, 23,333 40mm rounds, 13,311 20mm rounds.over the course of the war. She was then used as the ground zero target for the air dropped during the first Bikini atomic bomb test, as second bomb that was exploded underwater about 300 yards from Nevada. Not only did Nevada survive both bombs but, if she wasn't so intensely radioactive, her boilers could have been fired up and she could have proceeded under own power. She was then towed and anchored offshore Pearl harbor until late July when she was towed about 200 miles offshore to be sunk as an ordnance target. On July 31 she was subjected to almost six hours of naval gunfire from 3" to 16" guns and being hit by at least five aerial torpedoes. Only after this battering did the old but reliable Nevada slip below the waves to her final resting place about 1900 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean.

[@TermiteUSA]

Wow what a factual post. Well done.

[@sarjim4381]

@@TermiteUSA Thanks. I lived in Nevada for a number of years and grew quite fond of the old girl. The Nevada State Museum in Carson City has an excellent exhibit on her.

[@AFO1]

@@sarjim4381 My Dad was an artillery spotter / radioman aboard Nevada from Pearl Harbor until the end of WWII. He died 10 years ago. THG would be getting an earful right now, lol, because his ship wasn't sunk - they beached her at Pearl Harbor and he made damn sure everyone knew it. He called in those shots (9:30 above) that destroyed 80 odd tanks off France. He talked about that a lot later in life. He was also on the beaches of Iwo Jima & Okinawa. All of that death and carnage haunted him for the rest of his life. He had constant nightmares from all of the deaths he saw and he played a role in. And FYI, one of Nevada's main gun turrets was replaced with one salvaged off the Oklahoma. That Oklahoma gun was involved in the last salvo on Japan that you mentioned above.

[@AFO1]

Gun barrel, not turret.

[@sarjim4381]

@@AFO1 No, _Nevada_ was indeed sunk. She was initially beached to prevent her immediate sinking, but the ebb tide displaced the hull enough she slid off the beach and settled on the shallow floor if the harbor. Because the crew had corrected her list by counter flooding before that happened, she appeared to still be upright in the water .If this had happned in deeper water, she would have sunk out of sight. She was allowed to remain in her position until refloated on February 12 to both act as a stationary antiaircraft battery and fool any Japanese reconnaissance flights that _Nevada_ was still in service and not sunk. Remember also that _Nevada_ and her sister _Oklahoma_ had two twin upper turrets. It was these two barrels in her twin #3 turret that were relined and replaced by the twin barrels from _Oklahoma_ , not _Arizona_ . It was much easier to replace the relined barrels and cradle from the same type of turret than it would have been to try to refit them with from one of _Arizona's_ triples.

[@rayschoch5882]

Well done, sir, as have all of your videos that I've seen. My uncle, Francis Thomas, was senior officer on board the Nevada on December 7, 1941. A career Navy man, he survived the Pearl Harbor attack and the war. My Dad, a Navy reservist, flew a combat tour with VF-19 in the Philippine campaign in 1944. Not quite an "Ace" (he shot down 4 Japanese planes), he was awarded an Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and Navy Cross, and survived the war as well.

[@contracostaexpert]

Nevada and Warspite, the unsinkable battleships! Great choice for a Dday memory.

[@bruceraykiewicz6274]

Thank you for this video on the Nevada. My mother's brother, my uncle George Maiella, a son of Italian immigrants, volunteered to serve in the Navy. He was on the Nevada, from when it was repaired after Pearl Harbor, through to the very end of WW2. When I was very young, I remember seeing my Uncle George, proudly wearing his Navy uniform. As an old person, with a 'first blood' connection to the BB36 - Nevada, I thank you again for this video.

[@spartacus24n74]

Another example for why they were the greatest generation. The sacrifice, courage, skill, and coordination is incredible given the time and technology. Hitting targets 17 miles away, with a slim margin of error is amazing. A few inches off and a lot of allied soldiers would have been gone. We truly do stand on the shoulders of giants. Thanks for doing this video!

[@jblob5764]

Approximately 1.5 million of your war bonds, that couldn't have been better spent.... Murica 🇺🇸 Amen

[@longhairedcountryboy2363]

J Blob Amen!

[@chrishaan5766]

MERICA🇺🇸

[@michaelbuelow9275]

Beautifully written and researched. Nicely presented. Thank you.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

I LOVED his telling of the Nevada's story. It gave me goosebumps.

[@publicprofilename4273]

Thanks for this. My grandpa and I are 50 years and 11 minutes apart in age to the minute. He was at D-day in one of the 14" guns. His gun fired the 2nd shot that day. He died about 2 years ago, at 95yo. He served his country well, and was a very good man. I miss him terribly, and I was just kind of reminiscing about a way I could honor him. I looked up the ship, for a model to build, and ran across this video. Thank you so much for this! I learned facts I didn't know. Doesn't seem like my grandpa, to not brag about all these accomplishments lol, but of course, he didn't talk very much at all about the war. I didn't know his ship was such a bad ass, other than being the only ship at both Pearl, and D-day. He told me his ship fired the first shot, but not his gun. Said his firedd the 2nd. Couldn't ever tell if that was a joke lol. R.I.P. James Mode Biggerstaff!

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thank you !!! I was in the Navy and once got to see the USS Missouri fire a full broadside from 5 miles away, it was amazing !!!

[@Zaron_Gaming]

Oh man I'm jealous. Such a powerful sight. Powerful prideful ship and crew

[@smc1942]

I got to see Iowa turn lose at about the same distance. That is an attention getter!!!

[@robertmccloud7905]

Wow. My dad was stationed on the USS Nevada from Pearl Harbor through the end of the war. He never talked a lot about his experiences, but I remember his telling me about the long, long hours at Normandy. This episode really clarified what he went through. Thank you very much!

[@b1laxson]

Nevada is the Captain America of battleships: I can do this all day.

[@onewhosaysgoose4831]

That is America's stern.

[@benjweeden4546]

B1 Laxson USS Texas might be able to compete with that title, served in the First World War, and the second, took place in operation torch, overlord, as well in the pacific at Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Then another 70 years of fighting Mother Nature and won because of the Texas Legislative

[@smc1942]

Benj Weed ; Texas also had a reputation as a good shooter! He Captain took her "destroyer close" to Omaha Beach so her gun's could give direct fire to the troops ashore. And again at Cherbourgh, where she stayed on station until she exhausted her 14" ammunition, in spite of being hit by an 11" shell. "Ole Tex" had a solid record, & was well respected by the troops she supported. Just as Nevada was.

[@DMW-iq2ie]

More like: “I can do this all week.”

[@chrisspalding2584]

@@benjweeden4546 Yes the record of the USS Texas is awesome. She was almost scrapped twice between the wars.

[@jamesstepp9982]

Thanks for this! As a lifelong resident of Nevada,I'm VERY proud of the service the Nevada was able to provide,though I believe she deserved a more honorable end than target practice.

[@caseykaelin2352]

It is to bad they would not let her shoot back. Then they would have known what combat is like.

[@captainskippy6622]

Thank you for bringing our (America’s) past to life and honoring these heroes.

[@timmbentley451]

As a retired Sailor, I loved this story! You don't hear much about the Navy's contribution that day. Thanks!

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

I was totally amazed by the accuracy of her rounds! Astounding performance by the Army and the Navy! God rest their souls. Amen.

[@ChristianWhiteGuy]

My Uncle Robert J. Rice born in 1922 was a Boiler Maker on the USS Nevada from 1943 to 1945. He died in 1986. Blessed to know just one of these warriors.

[@skiames]

Yes , finally. All people talk about are other ships but ignore the amazing Nevada

[@johngalt2506]

@Andrew Ongais yes our Battle Born!

[@skiames]

@Andrew Ongais if u are correcting my are, I was referring to all nations not just American ones

[@MVelt7]

Thank you so much for covering this bit of history! I had no idea of the details of how effective the USS Nevada was during D-Day. Such an impressive service it provided, and it gave me even more respect for the brave servicemen who crewed the ship and fought on shore that came together in wonderful teamwork.

[@MechanicalTrader]

General Quarters for 80 hours straight! >

[@geoh7777]

As long as they turn that gong off.

[@lancer525]

What a shame that 75 years later, we're living in a corporate oligarchy, managed by hypocritical theocrats.

[@RCAvhstape]

I'd rather spend 80 hours at battle stations aboard that ship than 80 seconds on foot disembarking from a landing craft with German machine guns shooting point blank at my face, though.

[@Schmidty1]

@@RCAvhstape good point.

[@1998bluedog]

@@lancer525 Yes, absolutely sad what we have become as a nation. And these men sacrificed their lives so that we could be ruled by a bunch of power hungry liars (for the most part).

[@christophergeorge132]

In high school, I participated in JROTC, where my instructor was Lt. Commander Roy Johnson, who was on the U. S. S. Nevada at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. As year's went on he became a teacher and thus my interaction with him. In my Senior High School year, 1981, Lt. Commander Johnson asked me to assist with a U. S. S. Nevada reunion in Long Beach, CA. As a result of my assistance with helping in this event, I was able to meet many who served aboard the Nevada which was a great honor. I was further honored when during the event, it was decided by the crew to name me an honorary crew member of the U. S. S. Nevada. As a result, I stand proud as a part of this important part of history, and even though I never set foot on the Nevada, I'm proud to know that I am still a part of her crew, if even in an honorary sense.

[@GSMSfromFV]

Great story. I was born in Long Beach on 12/7/49. Live in Orange County. My uncle was on the Nevada on 12/7/41. Survived by jumping overboard and swimming to shore through the burning oil.

[@edglunz9917]

Are we ever so Blessed to live in this age where History is brought alive right to us, no matter where we may be at the moment. Thanks to The History Guy for doing such a job so that History That Deserves To Be Remembered is Remembered. We salute you.

[@wyattcooper3514]

You teach what the History Channel doesn't. I love hearing all the other stories and history of WWII and many other things. Thanks for what you do!

[@malcolmkhummel3]

Good morning and thanx for the video. My grandfather in his later years went back to Normandy....he said it was nice to see it with his "eyes open" the 2nd time around. He landed in the much safer but still dangerous 2nd wave.

[@timlu7684]

Thanks History Guy! Always good stuff from you. PS. My dad landed on Omaha Beach ...second wave, I can only imagine seeing his fellow Army Rangers lying dead in the water or on the beach. Me and my sister took my dad to see "Saving Private Ryan" when it first came out. The first ten minutes of the movie ...I was crying like a baby in a full theater! After the movie, my dad say's "Yep, they pretty much got it right". He was my hero.

[@SteelyPaw]

I'm a world war 2 buff, especially Navy & I found this story to be most interesting and well told and I enjoyed it very much. Of course, my heart goes out to those that died young defending our country & our Flag.

[@claycountybrian5645]

Greetings from Clay Co. Missouri! (just North of Lee's Summit) My Dad's Uncle Stanford was an officer on a LST at Omaha. His brother Edor landed a month later. My Grandfather Norman later served aboard LCI 412. And, yes, the Augsburg College Edor Nelson. He celebrated 100 years and Stanford is still with us All 3 made it home SOME how, although Norman was a witness for the nuclear test in July '45, and died of cancer 21 years later. THANK YOU to ALL for your service! What a sad ending to a proud ship. "I'm NOT going out like THIS!" Thanks again!! 2 thumbs up as always!

[@dementionalfed]

I served about the current USS Nevada SSBN-733 and one of my favorite things was to tell these exact stories about BB-36 to the new guys, so that they knew why we were so proud to serve aboard her. Very well told and thank you for this video. It means alot that we remember.

[@grobertscott748]

Great episode, least we forget the sacrifices of the greatest generation!

[@therugburnz]

This is one of the best channels on KZbin. Educational and entertaining. If there were more like this I wouldn't mind the ' opinions v opinions wars ' channels so much.

[@gtoycoma]

Bravo, Nevada and the captain who commanded her! Unsinkable at Pearl and indispensable at Normandy! Bravo to the sailors who served on her too. Makes an American feel proud. CHEERS to the USS Nevada! Just like the Yorktown, down, but not out, then back to pour shells down the throats of the Germans. Bravo, Nevada! Such a shame that they ended up destroying her after all she had done for us. ~ I have watched this video three times so far and it still isn't getting old. I love The History Guy's narration. He does a good job of it. Basically all facts and no bs. Although, he does add a bit of interest to the human side of his docs. Bravo, History Guy! I love your war docs!

[@araeagle3829]

I have been eagerly awaiting your video on the USS Nevada. You delivered in a truly magnificent piece! Thank you History Guy!

[@supersami7748]

Fantastic video! My uncle served as n the Nevada from 1940 until shortly after the end of the war. I made a disc of dozens of his wartime photographs and a friend got them to the navy. They were most appreciative in a very nice thank you letter. I have a copy for myself but had the original photos preserved. All of your videos are great but they really hit home when I can relate something in them to my father uncle and grandfather. Thanks!

[@matthewrobinson4323]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You made this old sailor swell with pride in his Navy!

[@Tmrfe0962]

Matthew Robinson, thank you for your service sir...

[@matthewrobinson4323]

@@Tmrfe0962 It was entirely MY privilege!

[@Version135]

@@matthewrobinson4323 what a classy response! Thanks again.

[@jmeyer3rn]

Mr Robinson you are a hero. God bless. And God bless America.

[@Magravated]

Thank you! I miss northern Nevada for so many reasons, one being their rugged attitude. I know families whose ancestors traded with native Americans sugar for blankets. One of their patriarchs scouted Donner Pass for the railroad to go through. They are tough people but as genuine as you can find. I miss Nevada.

[@irreversiblyhuman]

Thank you so much for this! I just got emotional about a battle ship, which is a new one for me

[@TrikeRoadPoet]

Stubborn was her nature, proud her history, and able to serve with honor and real determination because her crew was as tough as the ship they served.

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

If they make a movie about the Nevada, this should be its tagline. You have demonstrated the "Poet" in your handle (username) . Well done.

[@toothpickstickerbananas4914]

Peace through superior fire power. That quote always dawns the heart of every single gunner of the United States Navy.

[@NVRAMboi]

Bravo. I was not aware of the full distinction of service of USS Nevada and her fighting men in those two historic locations.

[@judygarretson3255]

The Carson City mint, now a museum, has items on display from the USS Nevada. Worth a visit. Thank you for your videos!!

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

Thank you for that.

[@tomdaley9154]

I absolutely love this channel. I havent seen one video i didnt like and i think ive seen atleast 95% of them. I hope you keep this rolling a long time

[@scullystie4389]

Speaking of Utah Beach, you should do an episode on Exercise Tiger, the botched rehearsal for the landing there. Almost 800 allied troops were killed by friendly fire and an ambush by German patrol boats. That is, truly, history that deserves to be remembered!

[@Footballfan5sis]

Mark Felton has made one yesterday about these events.

[@deadfreightwest5956]

Thanks for mentioning Puget Sound (Bremerton Naval Shipyard). I toured the machine shop there in the '80s. It's truly colossal, and everything in it. Imagine engine lathes that can turn and bore 16" battleship guns!

[@smithmichaels]

NAVY family here. Loved this video! Still today, the greatest force on earth, the US NAVY!

[@delladeathtrip]

As a fellow history enthusiast, I am beyond grateful to have discovered your channel. I commend your remarkable ability to make history both entertaining and accessible to those who wouldn't normally be interested in the subject. Have you considered covering the Halifax Explosion or the Count of Saint-Germain?

[@graycloud057]

My granddad served on the Nevada at one time during his 20 years in the Navy. He was on the U.S.S. Medusa at Pearl Harbor when 7 December came. I served on the Battleship Missouri BB-63 during Desert Storm.

[@williamsanders5066]

My brother served on Missouri during the Gulf War too

[@graycloud057]

William Sanders - Please tell him hello from me! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@williamsanders5066]

@@graycloud057 Did you know EM2 John Ziesemer??

[@gwernette5971]

I'm Air Force, and I was allowed a tour of the Battle ship Wisconsin when she was docked near our location in Desert Shield. One can not appreciate the immensity of such a ship by mere pictures. Amazing!

[@graycloud057]

William Sanders - There we’re so many of us, but yes, I remember that name.

[@ghenghiskhan39]

Nothing more grand and majestic than a battleship. Great video.

[@geoffreymowbray6789]

Another stubborn, tough old lady like HMS Warspite. A good story well told.

[@curiousentertainment3008]

Geoffrey Mowbray but warspite wasn’t nuked twice and used as a target for 16 inch guns then have to be sunk by a torpedo.

[@alganhar1]

​@@curiousentertainment3008 No, she was used as a target by 14 and 15 inch guns, you appear to have forgetten she was hit multiple times during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, unlike Nevada, which was involved in none, Warspite was involved in no less than 3 Battleship on Battleship engagements, including the Battle of Calabria, during which she hit the Italian Battleship Guillio Cesare at a range of 26,000 yards. The Grand Old Lady received a total of 15 Battle Honours, more than any other ship in the history of the Royal Navy.... Nevada was not the only ship to have survived the experience of being nuked (and in part she survived the first because the air crew dropped the air burst bomb well off target, so it detonated 1,700 yards away from her, instead of right on top of her as was the plan), most that did were considerably more lightly built than a battleship. You also have to realise the first nukes were a *fraction* of the power of more modern weapons. Nor was she the only BB to have taken multiple 16 inch shell hits, Bismark was hit over 100 times by HMS Rodney's main battery, not to mention many times by the 14 inch main battery of the Prince of Wales. Battleships were built TOUGH, they were, after all, designed to slug it out with other Battleships. Events like the sinking of the Hood are so memorable because they are so unusual.

[@Eruthian]

And by a Fritz X.

[@wacoflyer]

I said it before and I'll say it again. I sure wish I had you as my history teacher back in high school!

[@bradleymorris8875]

You are in a league all of your own. I certainly appreciate that you take the time to make these. Excellent work. Applause 👏🏻 from Coos Bay Oregon.

[@criscross6591]

I remember touring the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, and seeing the Silver set of the USS NEVADA! Wow!

[@wyominghorseman9172]

Eighty hours at battle stations, thousands of rounds delivered on target. The Greatest Generation.

[@grizzlygrizzle]

Whoever was in charge of their gunnery practice must have been an amazing man.

[@grantreichel6870]

I feel like the ship's motto ought to be "Is that the best you got?"

[@scotchsoda3165]

How about, "Thank You, Sir.......May I Have Another!"

[@isaiahnesheim2971]

@@scotchsoda3165 that makes it sound like a masochist

[@charlesbissey9901]

I said aww hell yea to this comment

[@ssh6659]

Same I said aw hell yeah as well and I am from Nevada

[@jamesvandyke5874]

Battle Born

[@82gwest]

I just found your channel good sir, and like others have said, thank you for all these videos and your time. Your videos are excellent and preserve the tales of time as well as any storyteller ever could!

[@ryandavis7593]

G West Welcome to a great channel and a very respectable community.

[@jpb8494]

The History Guy is one of the Best presenters of "History That Deserves". As he hammers through important details rapid-fire, I sometimes get choked up watching his films, seeing our troops doing their best, and knowing that way too many of them became hero's forever to their family's, friends, and neighbors back home. Thanks to The History Guy for bringing it home for all of us who didn't have to directly face a well equipped enemy who could throw at us just like we could throw at them. World War Two battles made the ground heave, really hurt the ears, and shook the souls of so many of our Good Guys. I hope that we will show our respect for our Vets whenever we can, and especially to the Mom's and Dad's and family members of so many of our First Class Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Airwomen who've been lost way too soon, or had been wounded for the rest of their lives. Yes, Remembering Them All is so very much Deserved.

[@brianpaine7021]

That is worth remembering. Thank you.

[@jeffcamp481]

Thank you for all the work you do to produce such a fine presentation of history that deserves to be remembered!History needs to be remembered and your passion to see it is remembered, is self evident! Thank you for this deserved tribute to the crew of, and battleship Nevada !

[@cyclingbulgarian-london8643]

Titanic: I am unsinkable! USS Nevada: hold my beer!

[@1anthonybrowning]

Awesome comment, you win the internet for today.

[@kevinlesch9656]

I think that one's good enough to win internet for the month

[@SkullLeaderwolfx]

Unsinkable Sam : Miau

[@adoptcolorado6620]

Excellent comment

[@Leoluvesadmira]

I will sink and come back 4 a second round

[@AmosMosesJr]

As my passed grandfather would say, those boys gave them hell. He was the most humble man and also his parents were German but fought on the U.S. side and fought throughout and was even in the battle of the bulge. He received the purple heart but I never once recall him talking about it. Apparently had shrapnel in his lower back but you would never know it. Greatest generation for sure. One of many.

[@bighow378]

You just brought tears to my eyes. I know a gentleman who was on a destroyer off Omaha Beach on D Day. Like my dad who was with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy, that is about all he says about it is that he was there.

[@Legitpenguins99]

Please try to get him to share his experince before its too late. Once hes gone a portion of history will be lost if he doesnt pass on him experience

[@blacksmith67]

Legitpenguins69 All too soon the last of the men (and women) who participated in the Second World War will be gone. The desire to hear their stories before it’s too late is genuine. But reading the accounts of veterans who did recount what they saw, it’s easy to understand how, even 75 years later, some memories are simply too painful. For others, the reticence is not from the horror of battle, but that the part they played left them feeling embarrassed or guilty. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen in the rear echelon are just as vital to winning a war as their combat counterparts, but a terrible, unjustified perception remains.

[@marbleman52]

@@blacksmith67 Yes, what you said about some feeling embarrassed or guilty is correct. My Father was enlisted Navy and was on one of the smaller Escort Carriers in the Pacific. His carrier was at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and went through the kamikaze attacks. My Father's position was at one of the anti aircraft guns. His carrier the Lunga Point, fought off many kamikaze's, and a few got through to hit the ship, but miraculously no one was killed in these attacks, which is incredible. But there were lots of shrapnel wounds and Dad got hit. He said his wound was not serious. He was told that he had earned the Purple Heart because of getting wounded but he refused to accept it. He said that he didn't feel right about getting the Purple Heart when the Marines and other soldiers were fighting and dieing on the beaches and Islands every day...these were the ones who deserved the Purple Heart and Medals of Honor, not him. He said that he had a dry bunk to sleep in and 3 hot meals every day. In the late 1990's, Dad was dying from cigarette cancer. The VA. would pay more benefits if he could prove that he had actually earned the Purple Heart. And so the paper work and archives search commenced and and the Navy found the proof and sent him his Purple Heart medal. Dad died in 2005. I now have his Purple Heart that he had refused to accept back then. Yes, the men & women who fought in WWll didn't come home bragging about themselves and the heroic deeds that they did, they just did their Duty and took care of their fellow man, came home and almost to the man & woman, refused to talk about it; didn't like talking about it, regardless of what their own particular experience might have been, whether in the middle of unspeakable Human slaughter ( wonder why that word 'unspeakable' is in the dictionary ? now we know. ), or way back behind the lines in just a support role, they just did what they had to do. This attitude of humbleness and simply loving this great Country enough to willingly put their lives on the line, was enough for them. And this is what great man & women do and this is what makes people like that Great. But...it's not just in war time, and not just in WWll that we find and found Great man & women. There are Great people all around us, Great people that quietly go about their lives and working hard and being a good person and many raising families and sacrificing themselves to give their children a good & safe upbringing. These are Great people as well, and are Heroes.

[@blacksmith67]

marbleman52 l truly thank you for your response. I study a lot of war history with a focus on the human aspect of conflict. In part I want to understand the experiences that my grandfathers went through, each completely different as night and day. One was a combat veteran of Sicily, Italy, and later France and the Netherlands. The other was a carpenter who, as an Airforce corporal, acted as a construction foreman building radar stations on the Atlantic coast of Labrador. I have a photo of my first grandfather’s medals that were framed and given to his branch of the Legion (Canadian equivalent of the VFW?). I found my other’s medals in a box stored in an attic. The medals, ribbons and backing were separate... he had never had them mounted. They both volunteered and served from 1939 to 1945. Unfortunately the one who went overseas left my grandmother for another woman and was estranged from the family. As for the one I grew up with, he never said anything about the war. Anything I knew about his service was told to me by my grandma, and she had few details despite having been married from before the war.

[@marbleman52]

@@blacksmith67 I really enjoyed reading your response to me, thank you for that. Yes, the Human aspect is, of course, what is most important and interesting. Oh, the machines of war are fascinating to learn about, but the stories about the people who made those awesome machines are just as fascinating too. Studying WWll is so incredible because it seems that so many people with their brilliant ideas had to be alive and available at just the right time. The development of the famous Spitfire and the man who started designing it back in the 1930's would never have guessed that his plane would be so important in defeating the Luftwaffe during the infamous Battle of Britain. Sadly, he didn't live long enough to see just how great his plane turned out to be. And there are many, many more examples of men & women who came along at the right time with their inventions and abilities. Some people say that God had a hand in all of this and in so many little events that just happened to go in favor of the Allies. I'll leave that for another discussion. Your two Grandfathers were a fine example of what I said about one being in the heat of battle, killing the enemy and watching his buddies dying all around him, and the other being back in a support role and never having to face the enemy head-on in a life or death situation. But the result was the same. Neither wanted to talk about their experiences and reluctantly did so. My Father's ribbons and Pacific Campaign medals, which everyone got who served in the Pacific, and then the Purple Heart, were never framed, either. They were just stored away and never taken out. My Dad's second wife, whom I love very much and we always got along great ( my own Mother died of a massive coronary when she was just 44 and I had been in the U.S. Navy for just 1 year ), just recently forwarded to me Dad's ribbons and medals and the Purple Heart. I will now them them framed properly. I have enjoyed this discussion. Thanks...Steve.

[@CoachForsyth]

I personally want to take the time to say thank you to you for what you do. I am a combat veteran, and I appreciate the fact that you always get it correct the first time...Keep up the good work.

[@colinp2238]

As an ex-artilleryman firing heavy artillery I know the problems involved with firing over long distances from a ststic platform but a ship at sea that must be really difficult to achieve some accuracy as your platform is constantly moving, for as the adage goes, time and tides waits for no man.

[@dBREZ]

I took a fire support class in USMC. That was a subject they brought up. That and the shallowness of the guns made them difficult to use in long distances. And to think...They did it with a slide ruler, paper and pencil

[@Tmrfe0962]

An amazing feat...but when you take into consideration all the factors, enemy shells, waves, noise, stress, logistics....I do believe the hand of God lead these men to victory, not to take away from their valor, but added to that was the good over evil that God intended.

[@RCAvhstape]

WWII ships had pretty sophisticated mechanical fire control computers, machines with gears and cams and so forth. The ones in the Iowa class were still functional during the Gulf War of 1991. Do a search, somewhere on KZbin there is a cool Navy training film from the 1950s showing how these computers worked, maybe on Jeff Quitney's channel. By the middle of the war the US Navy had superior radar and fire control systems, as well as very consistently made gun shells, which made them scary accurate for a moving platform.

[@larrygoerke9081]

@@dBREZ Fire Control suites on the battleships had 'Wheel & Gear' Analog Computers - a kind of souped-up, turbo-charged "slide rule." CHEERS

[@larrygoerke9081]

@@RCAvhstape AHHH - read this after replying to @dBREZ - Indeed & apologies - did not mean to "steal your thunder."

[@scottinnis9666]

An amazing piece of history! God bless the Nevada and her crew! Thank you, truly history...that deserves to be remembered.

[@willynwv]

Great tribute to the USS Nevada. Ralph Potts was my neighbor till he passed.

[@oldgoat142]

As always, thank you for bringing to light history that truly does deserve to be remembered, particularly this gem.

[@derekschmidt2703]

Yyou are an amazing storyteller. Thank you for continuing to enthral me daily!

[@garygiles284]

This was the finest example of just one element of the historic D-Day landing, very well worth. History to remember with pride. Thank you

[@gulfchef]

A sorry end for a great lady, but there are so many, it's just too much to save them all. A great story today, as are all of your stories. Thank you. I always look forward to every post. As our retirement situation improves, I will het back on Patreon again for you.

[@paulnormandin5267]

Excellent. I knew the history of most of the other battleships buy somehow overlooked the Nevada. Tough old girl to the end. Thank you History Guy!

[@johnnyreno7200]

Awesome, thanks History Guy...I never knew this story.

[@charlesbaxter3302]

What a wonderful glimpse into what actually took place. Thank you for reminding us what sacrifices have been made on our behalf.

[@MontegaB]

What an amazing story. War is hell. However, it can bring some of the most incredible acts of selflessness, and some of the most towering achievements of man. Thanks for what you do!

[@gearshiftproductions353]

I just can't get enough of this channel, thank you for so much information about history! I look forward to every upload

[@christianroberts8134]

Fantastic video, what a story! You sir are a great man!

[@stuartsaunders563]

I love these sort of stories. You really tell it like a personal story and makes me try and think and feel like the fighting men involved. Keep up this great work.

[@Rhinexing]

I understand that keeping & maintaining every Navy ship for posterity isn't practical for a number of reasons, but if any ship deserved to be preserved, it was the Nevada. Thanks for what you do, History Guy... & thanks for paying tribute to the old girl on this special anniversary of the Normandy Invasion.

[@heatmizer-jim6762]

I just found your channel today. I love it! I couldn't agree more, these stories you highlight need to be remembered! Thanks for quality, unbiased history!

[@andrewinbody4301]

When I first found The History Guy I binge watched for days.

[@heatmizer-jim6762]

@@andrewinbody4301 I'm trying not to binge watch! But these obscure historical anecdotes are so compelling. The great thing for me is, I can listen to them while driving. I don't have to watch.

[@doogleticker5183]

Nevada was a superb ship manned by tenacious, superb sailors...many thanks History Guy for your awesome gems of video. Truly the crème de la crème of KZbin...Algorithms know squat and will AI will end us one day. So you’re history videos make me appreciate today even more. Best of Health and Happiness to you. DT, LCdr (ret’d).

[@Kenniii3]

Thank you History Guy. This was one of my favorite episodes so far. GREAT JOB!

[@BuzzSargent]

Of all the hundreds of videos I have watched of yours, this has become my favorite. Makes me think that maybe ships like this could have been effective in the landings at Italy as well. What great story this is of Army and Navy working with each other. Happy Trails

[@oldblinddarby2498]

Thank you for pronouncing Nevada properly. Few outside of Nevada do so.

[@rvasquez8057]

What a Great tale of a Great Ship and such an unbecoming end to a stoic and historic vessel. Rest well Nevada: BRAVO ZULU.....

[@milantrcka121]

I protest against demonetization of The History Guy. This is absurd! Exquisite content, well produced. Whose PC toes got stepped on? Trolls?

[@muznick]

He has to mention which battleships are gay or multi-gendered in order to placate the new nazis.

[@jebadias1468]

He speaks of actual history, not revisionist rhetoric. Non politically aligned history channels are demonetized as much as conservative channels because, if you are not with them, you are against them.

[@momster195]

Age and Treachery . This remark is uncalled for. Take your prejudice back to the hole you crawled out of and seal yourself in

[@djack99587]

Milan Trcka please tell me your kidding ? They demonetized the history guy? This is getting beyond ridiculous!

[@momster195]

Age and Treachery . You are an ass.

[@N0rdman]

There are some ships that are the stuff of legends and USS Nevada is definitely one of them, but much more than that was the crew who more than well kept the banner high earning Nevada its nickname, cheer up ship. As a fellow naval man I would have considered it the greatest honour if I had been seen in the same high regards as the crew of USS Nevada. Thank you for telling their story for posterity.

[@Kbrusky15]

It should have become a floating museum with a history like that.

[@thomasb1889]

The Enterprise should be in line in front of the Nevada but what about the support ships some of which accumulated quite the number of commendations?

[@7891ph]

She was to radioactive; if you watch the test film's, she got the $#!+ beaten out of her..... Even if they could have decontaminated her, she was just to beat up. Let the fact that she was so well designed that she was extremely hard to sink be one of the crowning points of her legacy....

[@richardcline1337]

She and the Enterprise should have been saved or NONE! What happened to these great ships was a travesty and insult to the men who served during the war!

[@richardcline1337]

@cristopher wong, what about it?

[@djolley61]

I read that the U.S.S. Texas flooded her torpedo blister on one side as so to achieve longer range for her big guns during the bombardment.

[@theoneinthebackground4209]

djolley61 germans: Don’t worry we’re safe at this distance. Texas: I’m gonna do what’s called a pro gamer move.

[@michaelingalls9220]

I heard that the Germans figured out the max range and set up an armor depot just out of range. Texas flooded its blister, and presto, they were in range

[@djolley61]

@@michaelingalls9220 Very cool.

[@rpryce2140]

I'm gonna guess you read it in S.E. Morrison, yes?

[@djolley61]

@@rpryce2140 I think it was a video about the Texas.

[@guildpilotone]

Your closing left me all choked up.

[@blueseanomad7435]

I LOVE this channel!

[@dougcaron5958]

Thank you for telling and sharing. My late maternal grandfather (d.11/2008) was one of those paratroopers whose landing was probably set-up by the Nevada. Happy Memorial Day, Gran-pa. I subscribed after watching this. Looking forward to viewing more.

[@noahcount7132]

A great story about a great ship! Well done! Many thanks for this one, and PLEASE keep up the good work. This is one of the VERY BEST youtube channels.

[@ianpotter2128]

Excellent episode as usual but one needs to remember that without the map reading and reporting of exact grid reference of the soldiers on ground, the Nevada or any other ship would not be able to hit the broad side of a barn. As you mentioned, the navy learning army and army learning navy, none of those battles could of succeed as well as they did.

[@danduhman1955]

Wonderful view back in time. A fitting end to the memorial of 6/5.

[@joshuaare1]

Isn’t D-Day 6/6/1944

[@scottspear8590]

Thank you History Guy! My father is a plank holder and was a gunner's mate aboard the USS Pittsburgh (CA-72). It would be an honor to share your memorial with him today. I think you will find the Pittsburgh action against the Japanese with the USS Franklin and against Nature with the typhoon of June 5, 1945 most interesting to remember!