The Warship That Survived Pearl Harbor and Unleashed Overwhelming Revenge

The Marines and the Army's Wildcats were ready to storm the beaches of Peleliu and Angaur and take the fight to the entrenched Japanese forces. Nevertheless, they had to wait for almost a week before disembarking.

All they could do was contemplate how the mighty Tennessee-class battleship, with her impressive battery of twelve 14-inch Mark IV guns, flattened the islands barrage after barrage.

The Navy had been pummeling them for over four days clearing bunkers, tunnels, mines, and any Japanese defenses. Tennessee roared without mercy, striking her objectives with pinpoint accuracy.

Most of the young men thought there was not a single Japanese left on the island when they were ordered to prepare for combat on September 17, 1944. But they were wrong. The enemy was awaiting them deep in the jungle.

[jefff]

Just happened to see this come up in my recommendations. My father was a 5-inch gun crewman on the Tennessee and earned his purple heart at Surigao Straits. He was always very proud of his service and the fact he got to serve on the ship that bore his home state's name.

[mikek]

Grandpa was on The Pennsylvania during pearl and after. He survived the war, and im always super proud when these documentaries mention his ship. We are from Iowa so my whole military family is highly proud of the Iowa class as well.

[Mooseperator]

They should have kept both the Tennessee class as museum ships they are very impressive

[BPFDesigns]

Always breaks my heart to hear about these proud and deadly ships being sold for scrap at the end of their service. I know not every ship can be a museum, but it still sucks.

[SliderFury]

Battleships are the single most badass piece of military machinery ever created.

[iandibley]

The greatest generation to walk on the planet, we owe them so much, I will never forget these brave men.

[rossmeldrum]

I'm not just impressed with the courage and selfless service those aboard those ships provided for the defense of the country. I'm impressed at the knowledge, ability and manufacturing capacity our country produced to create so many amazing ships and war materiel to fight with.

[heykeiffers]

Every “Dark” YouTube channel is gold. Nothing but good content I swear.

[jonmcgee]

I have a Battleship Tennessee shirt that has all her stats on it. Including the dates she was commissioned and decommissioned. Someone asked me recently if I had served on her. I'm in my late 40's.
Same thing happened 15 years earlier with a Battleship Arizona hat I used to have.
2 of the dumbest questions I've ever been asked. Both times were in the checkout line at local grocery stores.

[maxmoore]

I'm British and think how the Americans fought through the Pacific Islands was a Fantastic achievement. And very Brave by the Troops .knowing that they were Facing a Fanatical enemy on each Islands. The British sent a Fleet to help .The decks of the Aircraft Carriers were Metal and could withstand an attack by Japanese Kamacazee planes .We had highly trained Sailors in Broom Technology to sweep the Japanese Remains into the Seas 🌊. SIMPLES.

[hubrisnaut]

My grandfather was a Navy corpsman assigned to the marines in the Pacific islands during WW II. He was with them on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima .he was kind imposing man, about 6' 3" As I a boy I remember him shouting out and sobbing in his sleep, as he relived the carnage. I couldn't understand then as my grandmother said he was dreaming about what he had been through. but cry at his pain now, as is true, he never told us about the experience, but just said it would be alright. You just don't know.

[MH-kceu]

The Tennessee class is my absolute favorite of all old battleships from any country. Particularly California is my favorite.

[thedevilinthecircuit]

I salute these brave sailors, Marines, soldiers and aviators that faced the horror of this terrible war. Not all came back to celebrate victory...

[billywilds]

My grandfather was on the Detroit during the bombing. They got underway with only minor damage. Always wondered if the plane assigned to attack his ship was shot down or had mechanical failure before complete their assignment. I retired as 3rd generation Navy and was always proud of my grandfather's and father's service. On my mom's side, her dad served on a ship supporting the European efforts.

[rafsanAhmed]

They should have saved all the battleship and preserved them. This monsters are way way better then what armies built this days. Unlike today's toy ships this battleships were monsters.

[jason]

Man I'm so glad you slowed your gate. You used to narrate so fast sometimes it was hard to keep up with especially now that I'm over a half-century old. Great videos keep up the good work!

[briantaylor]

That sucks about the Tennesse being sold for scrap after surviving the attack on Pearl to make it all the way to Okinawa ! With other ships with lesser records being museums. She got her revenge, at least. I beleive the state of Tennesse would've been glad to have her.

[NAVYPROUD]

The pearl harbor survivor ships are all so badass looking. They look so mean

[evilfingers]

Revenge Ships of Pearl Harbor
USS Maryland
USS Pennsylvania
USS West Virginia
USS California
USS Tennessee.

[coldwarkid]

I've been to Palau and stayed where the Japanese seaplane base was located. I also took a tour of Peleliu. The remains of the war are everywhere in this island chain. Spent and live ammo is still laying all over Peleliu. The experience of seeing all the old bunkers, the coms cave, blown up tanks, crashed aircraft, empty saki bottles made quite an impression. It was the most amazing experience I've had. It was also very sobering.