SHIP'S HISTORY
The above Cutaway is how the ship looks today. From the ship's brochure.
Authorized June 24, 1910
Builder Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Co.
Keel Laid April 17, 1911
Launched May 18, 1912
Commissioned March 12, 1914
Decommissioned April 21, 1948
(click to see larger Image)
Photo courtesy of Classic Warship Publishing
The photo above is how the USS TEXAS looked during WWI
Below you will find links to the pages containing the details of the USS Texas History
Building the USS TEXAS USS TEXAS in Mexico 1914 USS TEXAS in WWI
USS TEXAS in WWII USS TEXAS Dry-Dock 1988-90
Admiral Nimitz Speech CGN-39 SSN-775
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Note: USS TEXAS BB35 was the second ship to have the name USS TEXAS, the other three
are USS TEXAS built in 1895, USS TEXAS CGN-39 and the current USS TEXAS SSN775.
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We have a special interest in the service of former crew members and have established a section to Honor those who have served aboard the TEXAS.
Former Crew Members Photos and Stories
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Chuck Moore has built a web site that is beyond words about the Battleship TEXAS,
for more details about the USS TEXAS weapons systems click HERE...
Click on the above Links
Click for Larger Image
Photo Courtesy of the Artist Chad Bailey
http://www.kcshop.com/airartcsb
The following are the Campaigns in which the USS Texas BB-35 participated in:
The battle ribbons located in the Ex -officers galley are an Eagle Project done by Erik Vincent Somers.
Erik earned His Eagle Badge in April,1996.
Well Done Erik.......
Mexican Service Medal
26 May--8 August 1914; 9 October--4 November 1914
World War I Victory Medal
Grand Fleet Clasp: 11
February-11 November 1918
Armed Guard Clasp: 20 August--11 November 1918
American Defense Service Medal
17-25 July 1941; 13 October--26 November 1941
North African Occupation: As you see on the picture above the TEXAS has 3 stars (North Africa, Normandy, Southern France)
Algeria-Morocco landings: 8-11 November 1942
Invasion of Normandy (Including bombardment of Cherbourg):
6 June-25 June 1944
Invasion of Southern France:
15 August-28 September 1944
Iwo Jima Operation: As you see in the picture above the TEXAS has 2 stars. (Iwo & Okinawa)
Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima: 16 February-7 March 1945
Okinawa Gunto Operation:
Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto: 25 Mar.-14 May 1945
Occupation Service Medal (Asia)
2-23 September 1945
WW II Victory Medal
Commanding Officers of the USS TEXAS BB-35
Albert W. Grant. Captain, USN (12 Mar 1914 10 Jun 1915)...
John Hood, Captain (10 June 1915-14 Aug 1916)
Victor Blue, Captain, USN (14 Aug 1916--31 Dec 1918)...
Nathan C. Twining, Captain, USN (31 Dec 1918 17 Jul 1919)
Frank H. Schofield, Captain. USN (17 Jul 1919---17 Jun 1921) ....
Edward S. Kellog, Captain, USN (17 Jul 1921--6 Jul 1922)
Andre M. Proctor, Captain, USN (6 Jul 1922--22 May 1924).....
Ivan C. Wettengel, Captain, USN (22 May 1924--28 Sep 1925)
Charles A. Blakely, Captain. USN (28 Sep 1925--2 Jun 1926)...
Zeno E. Briggs, Captain. USN (2 Jun 1926--4 Jan 1928)
Joseph R. Defrees, Captain, USN (4 Jan 1928--9 Jul 1929)...
Adolphus Andrews, Captain, USN (9 Jul 1929--13 May 1931)
Julius C. Townsend, Captain, USN (13 May 1931--17 Jun 1933) ...
Lamar R. Leahy, Captain, USN (17 Jun 1933--15 Apr 1935)
Sherwoode A. Taffinder, Captain, USN (15 Apr 1935--21 Nov 1936)....
Fred Fremont Rogers, Captain, USN (21 Nov 1936-- 1 Jun 1938)
Robert R. M. Emmet, Captain, USN (1 Jun 1938--31 May 1940)...
Clarence N. Hinkamp, Captain, USN (31 May 1940.--2 Aug 1941)
Lewis W. Comstock, Captain, USN (2 Aug 1941-28 Sep 1942) ...
William E. Hennigar, Commander, USN (28 Sep 1942--3 Oct 1942)
Lawrence Wild, Captain, USN (3 Oct 1942 14 Oct 1942)...
William E. Hennigar, Commander, USN (14 Oct 1942--17 Oct 1942)
Roy Pfaff, Captain, USN (17 Oct 1942--10 Mar 1944)...
Charles A. Baker, Captain, USN (10 Mar 1944--17 Aug 1945)
Gerald L. Schetky, Captain, USN (17 Aug 1945--3 Jul 1946)...
Robert N. Downes, Commander, USN (3 Jul 1946--6 Mar 1947)
James R. Bagshaw, Jr., Captain, USNR (6 Mar 1947 7 Apr 1947)...
Samuel J. McKee, Commander, USN (7 Apr 1947--31 July 1947)
Jack Seward, Lt. Commander, USN (31 July 1947.--21 Apr 1948)....
Charles A. Baker, Captain, USN (21 Apr 1948--21 Apr 1948)