USS Alabama and Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile

Alabama has always been a state that deeply loyal and dedicated to America's military. Our state has been a major contributor of weapons, support and has a long history of heroic men and women who have achieved great success in war efforts for our country since its statehood in 1819. Alabama is proud to have been called home by many highly decorated military leaders and soldiers during the US Civil War, World War I & II, Korea, Vietnam and every war in modern times.



The Mobile area has also been a vitally important region for the war efforts of America. The city has distinguished itself as a viable port area and known for its shipbuilding capabilities especially during World War II. In recognition of Alabama's war effort, one of the greatest battleships of all time was named in honor of our state.

The USS Alabama also known as the "Mighty A" is 680 feet long and was built as a fighting ship. This was something that did and did it well. The USS Alabama was in combat for 37 months during World War II and earned 9 battle stars without losing a person to enemy fire. It saw combat in both the Atlantic and Pacific operations of the US Navy. After the war, it was decommissioned and scheduled for destruction. A preservation society came to the Mighty A's rescue. A million dollars was raised to save the heroic battleship. It was towed to Mobile Bay in what is listed as the "longest non-military ton/mile tow in history" according the official Battleship Park website. In Jan. 1965, the ship was opened to the general public.

The USS Alabama now resides at Battleship Park in Mobile Bay beside the USS Drum. The USS Drum (SS 228) is a heroic submarine that distinguished itself as one of the best in the Pacific War effort during World War II. The Drum arrived in Pearl Harbor just four months after the attack by Japanese forces on Hawaiian naval yard and air fields. The Drum conducted 13 war missions throughout the Pacific including near Midway, Truk, Iwo Jima, Phillipines, Okinawa and Leyte. It was awarded 12 battle stars for its service in World War II. The Drum is credited with sinking 15 ships and severely damaging the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryuho which was loaded with planes on its deck. The Drum put the Ryuho out of commission. The submarine destroyed 80,580 tons of enemy shipping ranking it as the eighth highest of all US submarines in the destruction of Japanese tonnage sunk. The USS Drum also holds another honor. It is the oldest American submarine on display in the world.

Battleship Park in Mobile located on Mobile Bay is also home to many other artifacts honoring America's military. The Park contains more than two dozen military aircraft dating from Pre-World War II through the Vietnam War including Cold War era aircraft from all branches of the military including the Coast Guard. Visitors can also see tanks, personnel carriers and heavy artillery weapons displayed throughout the complex. Battleship Park is billed as "America's Most Unique Military Attraction".

Battleship Memorial Park is located at 2703 Battleship Parkway in Mobile off of Highway 90/98. You can get to Battleship Memorial Park off of Interstate 10 exits 27 or 30. It is open everyday except Christmas Day.

This is a great place for military buffs, veteran, tourists, families and anyone who wants to experience or explore a piece of American history up close and personal. Alabama is privileged to have a place where we can pay homage and honor the ships, planes and equipment used by heroes to keep the world safe and preserve the American tradition of honor, integrity and freedom. If you haven't visited Battleship Memorial Park, it should be on your Bucket List.

For more info, visit the official webpage at http://www.ussalabama.com/