The USS North Carolina (BB 55) was commissioned April 9, 1941. During her shakedown period she steamed into and out of New York Harbor so many times she earned the nickname "The Show Boat". She more than earned that nickname during her service in World War 2. The North Carolina participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater carrying out 9 shore bombardments, sinking an enemy troop ship, shooting down 24 enemy aircraft and survived being torpedoed. Earning 15 battle stars, USS North Carolina was the most decorated American battleship of the war. The ship survives today as a museum in Wilmington, North Carolina.