The quarterdeck serves as the point of access to Navy ships in port and the ceremonial command center of the ship. The term originated in the days of sailing ships: the quarterdeck was the elevated deck at the stern—the back of the ship—where officers supervised and directed the activities of the crew. When she was active and in port, the quarterdeck would have been manned by the Officer of the Deck (OOD). Anyone coming aboard would be required to cross the quarterdeck in order to gain access to the ship.

The main battery of the Mighty Mo consists of three turrets, each with three guns, for a total of nine 16”/50 caliber guns. Each barrel is capable of firing independently, meaning that the battleship was capable of a variety of combinations or a full broadside of all nine guns firing simultaneously. Ammunition consisted of 2,700 lb. Armor Piercing (AP) projectiles and 1,900 lb. High Capacity (HC) projectiles. These projectiles were fired using six gunpowder bags, each weighing roughly 110 lbs. (50kg). Loading the projectiles and gunpowder bags into the guns was accomplished through a system of elevators, hoists, and hydraulic rammers.

16”/50 Caliber Turret Statistics:
Rate of fire: max. 2 rounds per minute, per gun
Maximum range: 23 miles (37.01km)
Maximum vertical ceiling: 35,811 feet (10,915m)
Required crew to operate: 77-110 (average of 90), per turret

DID YOU MO?: Although USS Missouri was designed for ship-to-ship combat, she never used her main battery against an enemy vessel.

Today, USS Missouri is moored facing inland, her guns raised over the USS Arizona, watching over the fallen sailors still entombed inside Arizona's hull. These two historic ships, sitting bow to bow, symbolically represent the bookends of WWII for the United States. Sunday morning, December 7, 1941 marks America’s entry into World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was also a Sunday morning, September 2, 1945, aboard the decks of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay when World War II ended.

The large Discone antenna on the bow of the ship was installed aboard the Missouri during the 1980s and used extensively during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The antenna provides a link to the Navy Tactical Data System, which in turn creates a consolidated data and communication network, linking all allied air, sea, and land forces within an operational area.

DID YOU MO?: The ship has two anchors, each weighs approximately 31,000 lbs., (14,061 kg) and has 1,000 ft., (305m) of chain. Each chain link weighs a heavy 130 lbs. (59 kg).

DID YOU MO?: The Discone antenna is often referred to as a Christmas tree. During the winter holidays, sailors often decorate the antenna with lights to make it look like their own Naval Christmas tree.

You are in the Wardroom in Officer’s Country. This space was reserved for the ship’s officers and was where they gathered for meals. Enlisted crew members were not allowed into Officer’s Country or the Wardroom unless they were on official business. This standard of conduct was designed to preserve the chain of command and to maintain proper order on board.

The mural that you see before you was originally painted by members of the crew in 1945 while they were on their way home following the end of World War II. The mural was modified during each subsequent cruise and was later expanded to include the Middle East for Operation Desert Storm. The Association received a historic preservation award for its professional restoration of the mural in 2013.

The Officer’s Country staterooms forward of the Wardroom were reserved for department heads and other senior ranking officers aboard, including the Executive Officer (XO), who was second in command.

DID YOU MO?: The Wardroom can also be used as a Battle Dressing Station during combat because it was designed as a readily available and fully equipped triage and treatment area.

On 11 April 1945 at 1443 (2:43 PM), a kamikaze plane struck USS Missouri during the Battle for Okinawa. While fire erupted briefly, no bomb exploded and no crew members were seriously wounded. The body of the deceased pilot, believed to be Petty Officer 2nd Class Setsuo Ishino, was thrown onto the ship’s main deck and discovered among the wreckage by the crew. By order of Captain William M. Callaghan, he was given a military burial at sea the following day. The ship’s senior Chaplain presided over the service with a rifle salute fired by the Marine guard and the playing of “Taps” before the pilot's body was committed to the deep under a Japanese flag.

Information on this event can be found on displays in this area. The position of burial participants is also marked by footprints on the teak deck.

When the Missouri was launched in 1944, the fantail had two catapults used to launch scout planes. The floatplanes, originally the Vought OS2U Kingfisher and later the Curtiss SC-2 Seahawk, served primarily as spotters to confirm target positions and accuracy of main battery gunfire. When they returned, they landed in the water near the ship and were hoisted back aboard using a crane. By 1949, the catapults were removed and replaced by a helicopter landing pad, which was later modernized when the ship was reactivated in 1986. Currently the fantail and flight deck hosts formal military ceremonies and private evening events.

DID YOU MO?: Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV’s) were launched from the Fantail during Operation Desert Storm. Missouri carried the Pioneer RQ-2A RPV, which was a fixed wing, gasoline-driven aircraft that carried a stabilized television camera. The camera sent live footage back to the ship which provided critical surveillance for the crew.

DID YOU MO?: The fantail hosted the ship’s “Steel Beach” picnics: barbeques held while underway that helped build morale and camaraderie among the crew. Crew members could get some sun, play basketball and volleyball in addition to indulging in some flame-broiled chow.