USS South Dakota (BB-57)

USS South Dakota (BB-57) was a U.S. Navy battleship launched in 1941, named after the state. It was part of the Iowa class, known for their large size, heavy armor, and powerful guns. Equipped with nine 16-inch guns, it served prominently during World War II, participating in major battles like the Pacific island-hopping campaigns, shelling Japanese positions, and providing naval gunfire support. After the war, it briefly served again during the Korean War before being decommissioned in 1962. Today, the USS South Dakota is preserved as a museum ship in Sioux City, Iowa, symbolizing naval history and innovation.