The U.S.S. Alabama, the sixth American ship to have that name, was launched and commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1942. She took part in the Naval assault on the Carolines and Marianas islands in 1944. While in the Marianas, the naval task force came under heavy attack by enemy airplanes and in one instance, during the night of February 21-22, they withstood a 13-hour pounding by the Japanese air force. In June, Alabama took part in another assault in the Marianas in which about 476 of 545 spotted enemy planes were downed. The Alabama continued fighting admirably in the Pacific, including withstanding two deadly typhoons and kamikaze attacks, till the end of the war. At that time, she docked in Tokyo for two weeks and helped return some of the soldiers in the Pacific back home to San Francisco.
 
The park that houses the battleship also includes the U.S.S. Drum. The Drum is a submarine that was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1941 and served actively until 1946. During her wartime service, she ran 13 war patrols in the Pacific Theater and is credited with sinking 15 enemy vessels. Following her active World War II career, the Drum spent 20 years in naval reserve service with the Potomac River Naval Command. In 1969 she was donated to the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Commission.
 
The park also features an air-conditioned aircraft pavilion with an impressive collection of vintage aircraft spanning from pre-World War II up through the Cold War. You'll also find a nice collection of land vehicles, including jeeps, tanks and anti-aircraft guns onsite.
 
Hours: The U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park opens daily at 8 a.m. It closes at 4 p.m. from October - March and 6 p.m. from April - September.
 
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
 
Admission: $12.00 Ages 12 and over $6.00 Ages 6-11 Free for children under 6
 
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Here are some items that might enhance your visit to this historic site