Marvin Kornegay of the USS Texas at D-Day-- Part 2

This bombardment continued for the rest of the day, during which a total of 441 shells were fired at the Germans.

Perhaps the best representation of the Texas' power on June 6, 1944, occurred six hours into the invasion when Allied infantry were stopped and forced to cover  by sniper and machine gun fire.  Recognizing the  defense being exhibited around Exit D-1, the Texas moved to within 5,000 yards of the shore.  Accompanied by a few destroyers, she unleashed her main guns on the Germans and "completely demolished all structures in the Exit, reducing them to rubble."

Today, it is a museum ship near Houston, Texas, and the only dreadnaught left in the world.  For four decades she sailed the globe and fought in some of the most important battles of World War II.  She was the most powerful and most complex weapon the world had ever seen when she was commissioned.  For a brief time, in all the world, she had no rival.

--GreGen