Changes

| length=887 feet 3 inches

| length=887 feet 3 inches

| beam=108 feet 2 inches

| beam=108 feet 2 inches

| draft=28 ft 11 in

| draft=28 ft 11 in

| speed=33 knots

| speed=33 knots

| test=

| test=

On 18 March, ''Iowa'' joined in the bombardment of Mili Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Although struck by two Japanese 4.7" projectiles during the action, ''Iowa'' suffered negligible damage. She then rejoined Task Force 58 on 30 March, and supported air strikes which continued for several days against the [[Palau Islands]] and Woleai of the Carolines.

On 18 March, ''Iowa'' joined in the bombardment of Mili Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Although struck by two Japanese 4.7" projectiles during the action, ''Iowa'' suffered negligible damage. She then rejoined Task Force 58 on 30 March, and supported air strikes which continued for several days against the [[Palau Islands]] and Woleai of the Carolines.

From 22 to 28 April 1944, ''Iowa'' supported air raids on Hollandia, Aitape, and Wake Islands to support Army forces on Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay, and Humboldt Bay in [[New Guinea]]. She then joined the task force's second strike on [[Truk]], 29-30 April, and bombarded Japanese facilities on Ponape in the Carolines, 1 May.

From 22 to 28 April 1944, ''Iowa'' supported air raids on Hollandia, Aitape, and Wake Islands to support Army forces on Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay, and Humboldt Bay in [[New Guinea]]. She then joined the task force's second strike on [[Truk]], 29–30 April, and bombarded Japanese facilities on Ponape in the Carolines, 1 May.

In the opening phases of the Marianas campaign, ''Iowa'' protected the flattops during air strikes on the islands of [[Saipan]], [[Tinian]], Guam, Rota, and Pagan on 12 June. She was then detached to bombard enemy installations on Saipan and Tinian on 13-14 June. On 19 June, in an engagement known as the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], ''Iowa'', as part of the battle line of Fast Carrier Task Force 58, helped repel four massive air raids launched by the Japanese Middle Fleet. This resulted in the almost complete destruction of Japanese carrier-based aircraft. ''Iowa'' then joined in the pursuit of the fleeing enemy fleet, shooting down one torpedo plane and assisting in splashing another.

In the opening phases of the Marianas campaign, ''Iowa'' protected the flattops during air strikes on the islands of [[Saipan]], [[Tinian]], Guam, Rota, and Pagan on 12 June. She was then detached to bombard enemy installations on Saipan and Tinian on 13–14 June. On 19 June, in an engagement known as the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], ''Iowa'', as part of the battle line of Fast Carrier Task Force 58, helped repel four massive air raids launched by the Japanese Middle Fleet. This resulted in the almost complete destruction of Japanese carrier-based aircraft. ''Iowa'' then joined in the pursuit of the fleeing enemy fleet, shooting down one torpedo plane and assisting in splashing another.

Throughout the following July, ''Iowa'' remained off the Marianas supporting air strikes on the Palaus and landings on Guam. After a month's rest, ''Iowa'' sortied from Eniwetok as part of the 3d Fleet, and helped support the landings on Peleliu on 17 September. She then protected the carriers during air strikes against the Central [[Philippines]] to neutralize enemy air power for the long awaited invasion of the Philippines. On 10 October ''Iowa'' arrived off [[Okinawa]] for a series of air strikes on the Ryukyus and Formosa. She then supported air strikes against Luzon on 18 October and continued this vital duty during [[Douglas MacArthur|General MacArthur's]] landing at Leyte on 20 October.

Throughout the following July, ''Iowa'' remained off the Marianas supporting air strikes on the Palaus and landings on Guam. After a month's rest, ''Iowa'' sortied from Eniwetok as part of the 3d Fleet, and helped support the landings on Peleliu on 17 September. She then protected the carriers during air strikes against the Central [[Philippines]] to neutralize enemy air power for the long awaited invasion of the Philippines. On 10 October ''Iowa'' arrived off [[Okinawa]] for a series of air strikes on the Ryukyus and Formosa. She then supported air strikes against Luzon on 18 October and continued this vital duty during [[Douglas MacArthur|General MacArthur's]] landing at Leyte on 20 October.

On 25 October 1944, when the ships of the Northern Force were almost within range of ''Iowa's'' guns, word arrived that the Japanese Central Force was attacking a group of American escort carriers off Samar. This threat to the American beachheads forced her to reverse course and steam to support the vulnerable "baby carriers." However, the valiant fight put up by the escort carriers and their screen had already caused the Japanese to retire and ''Iowa'' was denied a surface action. Following the [[Battle for Leyte Gulf]], Iowa remained in the waters off the Philippines screening carriers during strikes against Luzon and Formosa. She sailed for the West Coast late in December 1944.

On 25 October 1944, when the ships of the Northern Force were almost within range of ''Iowa's'' guns, word arrived that the Japanese Central Force was attacking a group of American escort carriers off Samar. This threat to the American beachheads forced her to reverse course and steam to support the vulnerable "baby carriers." However, the valiant fight put up by the escort carriers and their screen had already caused the Japanese to retire and ''Iowa'' was denied a surface action. Following the [[Battle for Leyte Gulf]], Iowa remained in the waters off the Philippines screening carriers during strikes against Luzon and Formosa. She sailed for the West Coast late in December 1944.

''Iowa'' arrived [[San Francisco]] on 15 January 1945 for overhaul. She sailed 19 March 1945 for Okinawa, arriving 15 April 1945. Commencing 24 April 1945, ''Iowa'' supported carrier operations which assured American troops vital air superiority during their struggle for that bitterly contested island. She then supported air strikes off southern Kyushu from 25 May to 13 June 1945, and then participated in strikes on the Japanese homeland 14-15 July, bombarding Muroran, Hokkaido, destroying steel mills and other targets. The city of Hitachi on Honshu was given the same treatment on the night of 17-18 July 1945. ''Iowa'' continued to support fast carrier strikes until the cessation of hostilities, 13 August 1945.

''Iowa'' arrived [[San Francisco]] on 15 January 1945 for overhaul. She sailed 19 March 1945 for Okinawa, arriving 15 April 1945. Commencing 24 April 1945, ''Iowa'' supported carrier operations which assured American troops vital air superiority during their struggle for that bitterly contested island. She then supported air strikes off southern Kyushu from 25 May to 13 June 1945, and then participated in strikes on the Japanese homeland 14–15 July, bombarding Muroran, Hokkaido, destroying steel mills and other targets. The city of Hitachi on Honshu was given the same treatment on the night of 17–18 July 1945. ''Iowa'' continued to support fast carrier strikes until the cessation of hostilities, 13 August 1945.

''Iowa'' entered Tokyo Bay with the occupation forces, 29 August 1945. After serving as Admiral Halsey's flagship for the surrender ceremony on 2 September 1945, ''Iowa'' departed Tokyo Bay 20 September 1945 for the United States.

''Iowa'' entered Tokyo Bay with the occupation forces, 29 August 1945. After serving as Admiral Halsey's flagship for the surrender ceremony on 2 September 1945, ''Iowa'' departed Tokyo Bay 20 September 1945 for the United States.