For the first time in more than 80 years, there will be a USS Utah in the U.S. Navy. The new USS Utah (SSN-801) is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine built by General Dynamics Electric Boat. She is designed for stealth, speed, and versatility. Her primary mission is undersea warfare, intelligence gathering, strike missions, and special operations. Equipped with advanced sonar, precision weapons, and the ability to operate in both deep oceans and coastal waters, SSN-801 represents the cutting edge of modern naval power. (FWIW 801 is the main area code for Salt Lake City and much of Utah. She is to be commissioned tomorrow.

The first USS Utah has an interesting history. She was a Florida-class battleship commissioned in 1911 and later converted into a target ship with its main guns removed. During the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, It was the first ship sunk in the attack. Japanese pilots mistook the unarmed vessel for an aircraft carrier and struck it with torpedoes, causing it to capsize and sink with 58 crewmen aboard within the first 10 mins of the battle. Today, the wreck remains at Pearl Harbor as a memorial, and the new submarine ensures the name USS Utah continues to sail in honor of those who served.

I'm not 100% sure, but I THINK my High School Biology was stationed aboard in USS Utah on Pearl Harbor (but it could have been the West Virginia).. This was along time ago back in NC). I know he was there on Dec, 7 1941. He had massive burns along his arms that he suffered as he exited the ship. Whatever ship he was on burned and the superstructure go so hot that they burned themselves as they climbed up the ladders. He always wore long sleeve shirts even in the heat of summer.