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Steam billows from the ship's steam towers. An American flag hangs from a mast in the rear.

1. First U.S.S. West Virginia Traveling Through Unidentified Location

A swarm of sailors are pictured on the ship deck.

2. U.S.S. West Virginia Near Coast of Unidentified Location

The battleship sails through unknown waters. The photograph was taken before America was in World War II.

3. U.S.S. West Virginia in Unidentified Location

Men inspect the damage after the infamous Japanese attack. The "Wee Vee" as the ship was affectionately referred to, was raised from the bottom of Pearl Harbor where she was moored during the attack and towed to dry dock for repairs.

4. Severely Damaged U.S.S. West Virginia After December 7th Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hi.

Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

5. Unidentified Member of U.S.S. West Virginia Crew

Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Another battleship is visible in the background.

6. Unidentified Crew Member of U.S.S. West Virginia Crew

On the photo is a message reading, "All my love, Bill." Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

7. U. S. Navy Sailor William Wright

Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia. William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

8. Unidentified Crew Member of the U.S.S. West Virginia

A man likely named Al is pictured on the ship. Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

9. Unidentified Crew Member of the U.S.S. West Virginia

Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

10. Unidentified Crew Member of U.S.S. West Virginia, Pacific Theater

Two sailors pose together for a photo. The man on the right is likely named Al. Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

11. Unidentified Crew Members of U.S.S. West Virginia

The two men in the photo are sitting on top of or near one of the gun turrets on the ship.  Photos are from an album belonging to a crew member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

12. Two Men on U.S.S. West Virginia

Wright, left, is pictured with an unidentified woman on his lap. Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

13. Seaman William Wright and Female in Hula Skirt, Pearl Harbor, Hi.

Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

14. Crew Members of U.S.S. West Virginia

Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

15. Unidentified Crew Member on U.S.S. West Virginia

Photos are from an album belonging to a member of the U.S.S. West Virginia.  William Wright, Radio Technician 2C, was on the ship from 1944-45 and saw action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

16. Rough Waters Aboard U.S.S. West Virginia

Two unidentified admirals are pictured in their dress uniforms.

17. Admirals Visiting the U.S.S. West Virginia

Each link in the anchor chain weighs 100 lbs. and is one foot long. The chain falls through the hawse pipes.

18. U.S.S. West Virginia Anchor Chain and Pipes

A crew works on the battleship in the dock area.

19. U.S.S. West Virginia at Dry Dock in Washington, D. C.

Crew members walk around the deck while the ship is at sea.

20. Fan Tail of U.S.S. West Virginia at Sea

21. U.S.S. West Virginia at Sea

A sailor stands in the boat while it's being raised by the battleship's crane. The "punt" boat was used only to paint the sides of the ship. The boat pictured on the far left is a whale boat, which is used as a life boat and is also used in racing. The boat on the right  is called a "racing cutter" and is also used as a life boat and in cutter racing.

22. U.S.S. West Virginia Crane Hoisting "Punt" Boat

Whale boat crew that won a race near San Pedro, California, on February 4, 1934 with a time of 16 minutes, 7 seconds.  William Hand is identified as front row, far right.

23. U.S.S. West Virginia Whale Boat Crew

The battleship's deck is briefly flooded by seawater.

24. U.S.S. West Virginia en Route to Bremerton, Wa. Navy Yard

Photograph comes from a U.S.S. West Virginia scrapbook.

25. Naval Fleet Displaying Searchlights at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

A sailor prepares to dive into the sea off the deck of the U.S.S. West Virginia.

26. Scuba Diver off U.S.S. West Virginia

Crew members pal around during the crossing initiation ceremony, where sailors who have never crossed the equator before are "brought before Neptune" and tested.

27. U.S.S. West Virginia Crossing the Equator

The U.S.S. West Virginia floats beneath the bridge.

28. U.S.S. West Virginia beneath Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge, Ca.

"The guns of U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48) in operation.  L.C.M.'s in foreground."  L.C.M. stands for Landing Craft Mechanized.

29. United States Fleet off Leyte, Philippines

U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48) anchored in an unidentified location.

30. U.S.S. West Virginia

31. Aerial View of U.S.S. West Virginia

U.S.S. West Virginia in dry dock, likely in Newport News, Va. during construction.  The keel was laid down in April 1920, and the ship was launched in November 1921.

32. U.S.S. West Virginia in Dry Dock

"The W. Va. is shown as she was photographed at a dry dock in Pearl Harbor. The battleship was severely damaged in the Japanese raid Dec. 7, 1941. Damages to her sides are visible."

33. U.S.S. West Virginia in Dry Dock, Pearl Harbor, Hi.