The USS Missouri has been described as the most famous battleship ever built.
Nicknamed "Mighty Mo," the Missouri was an Iowa-class battleship that saw combat in World War II, the Korean War and the Gulf War.
Before finally being decommissioned in 1992, the Mighty Mo receivedthree battle stars for its service in World War II, five for the Korean War, as well as two Combat Action Ribbons and several commendations and medals for the Gulf War.
And throughout the Mighty Mo's long service, the warship was barely scratched.
Here's the story of the Missouri.
SEE ALSO: Step aboard the USS Wisconsin — the last US battleship to fire its guns in combat
Laid down in January 1941, the USS Missouri was the last Iowa-class battleship to enter service, and was actually christened by then-Sen. Harry S. Truman's daughter, Margaret Truman.
Source: US Navy, The National Interest
As an Iowa-class battleship, the most powerful class of battleships, the Missouri was armed with nine huge 16-inch guns, 20 five-inch guns, 80 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns.
The Mighty Mo's 16"/50 caliber Mark 7 guns fired 1,900 and 2,700 pound projectiles up to 24 miles away.
In fact, the guns were so powerful that they recoiled four feet when fired, with the blast pressure pushing the water out, creating the illusion that the ship was moving sideways.
Source: US Navy, Business Insider
The warship was also incredibly fast, with a top speed of 33 knots, or about 38 mph, about 6 mph faster than the older South Dakota-class battleships.
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