The USS Texas (BB-35) is a historic New York-class battleship, notable for being the last surviving dreadnought of its kind. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding, her keel was laid on 17 April 1911, and she was launched on 18 May 1912. She was commissioned on 12 March 1914, featuring a main battery of ten 14-inch/45 caliber guns capable of firing 1,400-pound shells up to 13 miles, and a secondary armament of twenty-one 5-inch/51 caliber guns. Her design included four 21-inch torpedo tubes and the unique storage of her 14-inch shells in cast-iron cups nose-down. Throughout her service, USS Texas participated in multiple significant events. She served off Mexican waters during the Tampico Incident and joined the Grand Fleet in Europe during World War I, conducting convoy duties and supporting British blockade efforts in the North Sea. She was the first U.S. battleship to launch an aircraft and control gunfire with directors and rangefinders, pioneering naval technology such as anti-aircraft guns and radar. During World War II, she played a vital role in Atlantic convoy escort missions, supported Operation Torch in North Africa, and participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, supporting Omaha Beach with intense naval gunfire. She also engaged German defenses at Cherbourg and later supported operations in the Mediterranean, including the invasion of southern France and the Okinawa campaign, where she remained at general quarters for over 50 days during kamikaze attacks. Decommissioned in 1948, USS Texas became the first U.S. battleship museum, permanently stationed in Galveston, Texas. Over the decades, she has undergone extensive preservation and restoration efforts, including major hull repairs and modernization projects. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, she is a symbol of naval history and technological innovation, serving as a monument, museum, and cultural icon. As of 2025, ongoing repairs and restorations continue, with plans to berth her permanently in Galveston, ensuring her legacy endures for future generations.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.