USS North Carolina BB-55 Patch – Hook and loop, 4 in For Sale

The "Showboat" of the Pacific: The Legacy of BB-55.

The USS North Carolina BB-55 Patch is a tribute to the ship that paved the way for modern naval warfare. During WWII, the North Carolina earned a reputation for being everywhere the action was, surviving torpedo strikes and heavy air attacks to remain a constant shield for the fleet. Her 16-inch guns were instrumental in the island-hopping campaigns that led to the ultimate surrender of Japan.

Built for Modern History Enthusiasts While the ship is a historic monument preserved in Wilmington, NC, this hook-and-loop version is built for today's veteran and collector. The Velcro-style backing allows you to wear your ship's colors on any standard tactical jacket or gear bag without the permanence of sewing. It is the definitive choice for those looking to honor the legacy of the "Showboat" with a modern, modular touch.

Exceptional Craftsmanship Every stitch is executed to military-grade standards. The design captures the professional heraldry of the ship, featuring the vibrant blue and gold colors of the U.S. Navy and the bold profile of the first American fast battleship. This patch is a durable piece of naval history, built to stand the test of time and remain a sharp centerpiece of any collection.

Product Specifications:

• Ship: USS North Carolina (BB-55)

• Class: North Carolina-class Battleship (Lead Ship)

• Conflict: World War II (15 Battle Stars)

• Dimensions: 4-inch Diameter

• Backing: Hook and Loop (Tactical)

USS North Carolina (BB-55) is the lead ship of the North Carolina class of fast battleships, the first vessel of the type built for the United States Navy. Built under the Washington Treaty system, North Carolina's design was limited in displacement and armament, though the United States used a clause in the Second London Naval Treaty to increase the main battery from the original armament of nine 14-inch (360 mm) guns to nine 16 in (410 mm) guns. The ship was laid down in 1937 and completed in April 1941, while the United States was still neutral during World War II. During this period, she operated off the eastern coast of the United States.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December, North Carolina mobilized for war and was initially sent to Iceland to counter a possible sortie by the German battleship Tirpitz, though this did not materialize and North Carolina was promptly transferred to the Pacific to strengthen Allied forces during the Guadalcanal campaign. There, she screened aircraft carriers engaged in the campaign and took part in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24-25 August, where she shot down several Japanese aircraft. The next month, she was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine but was not seriously damaged. After repairs, she returned to the campaign and continued to screen carriers during the campaigns across the central Pacific in 1943 and 1944, including the Gilberts and Marshall Islands and the Mariana and Palau Islands, where she saw action during the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

The ship was undergoing a refit during the invasion of the Philippines but took part in the later stages of the Philippines campaign and was present when the fleet was damaged by Typhoon Cobra. She took part in offensive operations in support of the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945, including numerous attacks on Japan. Following the surrender of Japan in August, she carried American personnel home during Operation Magic Carpet. North Carolina operated briefly off the east coast of the United States in 1946 before being decommissioned the next year and placed in reserve. Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1960, the ship was saved from the breaker's yard by a campaign to preserve the vessel as a museum ship in her namesake state. In 1962, the North Carolina museum was opened in Wilmington, North Carolina.