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All Hands on Deck: Life and Legacy of the USS Colorado Battleship invites the landlocked Centennial State to sail the high seas – experiencing a glimpse into what life was like on our namesake battleship during times of peace and war, and how that service lives on today in the USS Colorado nuclear submarine (SSN-788).

The US Navy commissioned the USS Colorado battleship (BB-45) in 1923, kicking off 23 years of service that took the ship across the world. From searching for missing aviator Amelia Earhart to shelling Pacific Islands during World War II, the USS Colorado’s 2,000-member crew worked together and served bravely. 

“Our state has a special and surprising connection to the ocean through the USS Colorado battleship,” said History Colorado exhibition developer and historian Katherine Mercier. “The ship carried Colorado’s name and spirit across the world. We are honored to tell the incredible story of our naval namesake.” 

The courageous crew of the USS Colorado served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, enduring repeated damage and earning seven battle stars. After the battered battleship was dismantled in 1947, some surviving artifacts ended up in Colorado – offering a unique opportunity to appreciate these relics in their namesake state.

"All Hands on Deck tells the extraordinary story of the USS Colorado’s spirit of service that continues to connect Colorado to our naval history across generations,” said Sydney Mauck, History Colorado’s Anschutz Military Collections Specialist. “I’m proud to work alongside our veteran communities to share the legacy of the USS Colorado and the sailors who represented our state globally. It’s an honor to help preserve their stories and connect Colorado’s highest peaks to the deep blue sea."

The History Colorado Center’s newest showcase – in the second floor Holland & Hart Gallery – explores the stories of sailors who served aboard through a fascinating array of photographs, handwritten notes, uniforms and other objects that were part of the action.

• Elton O’Conner Clem spent nearly 20 of his 30 years of US Navy service aboard the USS Colorado battleship. Among his duties, Clem was the battleship’s cobbler, repairing and fashioning shoes for sailors and officers. In peacetime, while based in Honolulu, Clem was among the crew who searched for Amelia Earhart using a hand drawn map with notes Clem scribbled on. Also featured in the showcase are Clem’s cobbler shop sign and the M1 Helmet he wore during WWII when he was injured by a Kamikaze attack. 
• Frank Wayne Kizer joined the US Navy at 17-years-old and served on the USS Colorado during WWII, including as a machinist. Kizer received multiple ribbons for his service, which included conflict in Saipan, Tinian and Leyte Gulf, where the USS Colorado was hit by two Kamikazes. His dress blue jumper with a ruptured duck patch is on display. 
• Wartime objects, like a 40 mm cartridge from the USS Colorado and a fragment from a Japanese Kamikaze plane that attacked the battleship, invite visitors to reflect on the horrors of combat the crew faced.
• During times of war or peace, the 2,000 men on board needed hearty meals. From turkey and gravy to a slice of apple pie and a scoop of Neapolitan ice cream, a printed menu from July 4, 1937 gives insight into what the crew ate.   

Interviews are available with:

• Katherine Mercier, History Colorado’s exhibition developer and historian who created the All Hands on Deck showcase
• Sydney Mauck, History Colorado’s Anschutz Military Collections Specialist who helped curate the showcase objects and engage with community members to bolster the collection
• Melinda Clem Cooper, Elton Clem’s daughter

Historic photographs are available for media use upon request. 

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a 146-year-old institution that offers access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites. As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, History Colorado is committed to serving all Coloradans through generational work that centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

History Colorado is also home to a free public research center, people-centered preservation work done by the State Historical Fund and the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of the State Archaeologist, the State Historians Council, and many other community-driven public history projects such as the Museum of Memory. History Colorado stewards more than 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages each year. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado