USS New Jersey: 57,350 Tons Of The Most Dangerous Battleship Ever: USS New Jersey: Looking for a battleship that won the most awards in U.S. naval history? The USS New Jersey retained that honour after serving during World War Two, in Korea, Vietnam, and Lebanon. Overall, it garnered incredible 19-battle stars and two presidential unit citations along with one navy unit commendation. An Iowa-class battleship, the New Jersey was part of the naval build-up before World War Two. Work began in 1940 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. The ship was complete by 1942, and after sea trials, was commissioned in 1943. The New Jersey was 860-feet long, with a displacement of 57,350-tons. The warship boasted four General Electric steam turbines with a top speed of 33-knots. The New Jersey, like other battleships in the Iowa-class, was meant to take on the best and biggest warships in the German and Japanese navies.