Launched in 1940, North Carolina was the first U.S. newly built battleship to have taken part in the war in the Pacific. During her busy combat career she demonstrated that battleships could perform very well indeed in their new role as escorts for fleet aircraft carriers and weapon platforms providing fire support for ground troops. Having earned no fewer than 15 Battle Stars during her wartime service, North Carolina was the most highly decorated US Navy battleship of World War II. After decommissioning, she escaped the chopping block and is preserved to this day as a floating museum