Estate sale find, vintage original WWI US Navy Battleship USS New Mexico BB-40 Real Photo Postcard RPPC, circa 1924.
USS New Mexico (BB-40) was a battleship in service with the United States Navy from 1918 to 1946.
On 30 June 1914, New Mexico was authorized by the United States Congress. She was launched on 13 April 1917, and commissioned into the fleet on 20 May 1918. Captain Ashley Herman Robertson was her first commanding officer. The ship thereafter began sea trials and a shakedown cruise before formally joining the Atlantic Fleet.
In September, she was transferred to Boston. She was present during a naval review held on 26 December in New York City. She escorted the passenger ship George Washington as she carried President Woodrow Wilson to France for the Versailles Peace Conference, departing the United States on 15 January 1919.
From 6 December to 22 March 1943, she escorted convoys and transports to the Fiji Islands. After that, she patrolled the southwestern Pacific, before returning to Pearl Harbor to get ready for the Aleutian Islands Campaign.
After her training, on 17 May, she steamed to Adak, which would be her base for the attack on Attu. She later participated in the shelling of Kiska on 21 July, which preceded the Japanese evacuation of the island a week later.
After the Aleutian Islands Campaign, a refit was undertaken at the Puget Sound Navy Yard. On 25 October, New Mexico returned to Pearl Harbor to practice for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. On 20 November, while the invasion was under way, she shelled Makin Atoll.
During the fighting on the islands the ship was tasked with guarding transports at night when they retreated from the islands, providing anti-aircraft fire for the unloading of supplies and troops, and providing screening fire for the aircraft carriers. After U.S. troops captured the Gilbert Islands on 5 December, New Mexico returned to Pearl Harbor.
The item measures approximately 3.5" x 5.5", approximate shipping weight 2 ounces.
PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTION AND PHOTOS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS - AS IS - SIGNS OF WEAR - CREASES - The item appears to be in overall Fair to Good Minus used condition, signs of wear, creases, fading, tears, chipping, sunning and age toning, soiling, stains, writing, no odors, please see images.
(PH5-304)