David Doyle is a well-known author of over 100 books since 2003, covering a wide range of military subjects. Adding aircraft and warship subjects to his already lengthy list of published books covering military vehicles, Doyle’s portfolio of publications continues to expand rapidly, while maintaining the highest degree of quality, accuracy, and depth of coverage.

Doyle covers the history of the USS Missouri from launch to final service and retirement as a memorial and monument now located at Pearl Harbor. Most know of the role the USS Missouri played at the end of World War II, as the stage for the signing of surrender papers by representatives of the Japanese government. Doyle, of course, addresses that claim to historical fame, and extends the story of the USS Missouri with extensive coverage of the role played by the USS Missouri in the Korean conflict, Operation Desert Storm, and the unfortunate grounding of the USS Missouri off Old Point Comfort, Virginia. The images in the book, some published for the first time, were provided by the Naval Archives and Records Administration, as well as other sources.

The Naval historian will find the text and images are well researched and provide an in-depth coverage of the ship’s lifespan. The modeler will find the images filled with detail from bow to stern, as well as paint schemes and colors.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 - Construction
• Chapter 2 - Launching
• Chapter 3 – Fitting Out and Commissioning
• Chapter 4 – Out to Sea
• Chapter 5 – To the Pacific
• Chapter 6 – Victory over Japan
• Chapter 7 – Homeward Bound
• Chapter 8 - Aground
• Chapter 9 - Korea
• Chapter 10 – Final Service

This publication is highly recommended because of the breadth and depth of photographic coverage, accompanying text, and reliance upon archived historical data and images. Thanks to David Doyle Books for providing this publication for review by IPMS/USA.