USS Colorado took 22 hits in the 1944 battle but stayed in action
During the 1944 Battle of Tinian, the USS Colorado sustained 22 hits from Japanese coastal batteries but remained operational. The battle was a critical component of the Pacific War, eventually providing a base for B-29 bombers.
Why it matters
This historical account provides context on the strategic importance of the Mariana Islands during World War II.
As American forces moved to capture Tinian in the Mariana Islands during the Second World War, hidden Japanese coastal batteries opened fire on USS Colorado. The battleship was hit 22 times in quick succession, killing 43 crew members and wounding 198 others. Despite the heavy damage, USS Colorado remained in action and continued supporting the invasion.According to US Navy's Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), the attack on July 24, 1944 was the worst casualties suffered by naval forces during the bombardment phase of the Tinian operation. The incident took place during Operation Forager, the US campaign to capture the Mariana Islands from Japan.The battle became a key moment in the Pacific War.
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