State Historical Society of Iowa

Aerial View of USS Iowa Near Koje, Korea, October 17, 1952

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Aerial view of the battleship USS Iowa in the Pacific waters near Koje, Korea in October of 1952. Large cloud of smoke seen off the port side of the ship because guns have just fired at Communist defenses.
Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, "Aerial view of U.S.S. Iowa taken after battery gunfire aimed at Communist defenses. Offshore Koje, Korea," 17 October 1952

Description

This photograph shows an aerial view of the U.S.S. Iowa taken after battery gunfire aimed at Communist defenses near Koje, Korea. The USS Iowa was commissioned in 1943 and served until 1990. The Iowa sailed to the Korean peninsula in 1952, targeting North Korean supply lines, weapons, railroad lines and bridges, tunnels, and a North Korean military division headquarters. The ship also hosted helicopters, providing close air support missions to support United Nations ground forces. In July of 1953, the USS Iowa left the Korean War as she was reassigned to naval training in northern Europe.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • This photograph shows the USS Iowa after battery gunfire aimed at Communist defenses near Koje, Korea. The USS Iowa sailed to the Korean peninsula in 1952, targeting North Korean supply lines, weapons, railroad lines and bridges, tunnels and a North Korean military division headquarters. Why would the roles that the USS Iowa played in the Korean War be important?
  • South Korea wanted a free and democratic government. Using other images within the source set, what strategies did they use when North Korea's 1950 invasion threatened that?