Moored in quiet dignity and majesty the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, across the river from downtown Wilmington, beckons visitors to walk her decks. Envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

From all across our nation they came, young men who had grown up in the crucible of the Great Depression and now determined to serve their country in its time of need. These are the men whose stories you will encounter through their oral histories, photographs, and mementos as you tour. 2,300 men served on the NORTH CAROLINA. Each crew member has a story to tell and we share a few from our extensive archives with you.

Construction, Launching, Shakedown
Building and Fitting Out
Launching
Shakedown

Commissioning
Commission Day

The Crew
Captains
Marines
Wardroom Officers
Memories

Liberty
Liberty in the Pacific

Daily Life
The Galley
General Quarters
Sleeping
The Brig: Stryker’s Hotel
Pay Day
Smokers
Work Stations

Aviation
V-Division
Launching the Kingfisher
Truk Rescue

Typhoon!
Typhoon

Damage
Friendly Fire
Torpedo Hit
USS Franklin Tragedy

Weapons
Radar
The 16-Inch Main Battery: The “Big Guns”
Secondary Battery: Five Inch Guns

Battles
Battle of Okinawa
Battle of the Eastern Solomons
Bombardment of Nauru
Invasion of the Marshall Islands
Iwo Jima
Kamikaze
Night Air Action
Planning a Bombardment
Battle Reflections

End of the War
War’s End Approaching
Surrender