CAMDEN, NJ – In a moving ceremony aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62), the legendary stern plate from the USS Enterprise (CV-6)—the most decorated ship in U.S. Navy history—was unveiled Thursday afternoon, reuniting two Pacific War giants ahead of the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations.
The historic artifact, preserved for decades by the Township of Rivervale, New Jersey, will be temporarily displayed at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial before finding its permanent home at the future National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C.
The ceremony brought together Navy leadership, local officials, World War II veterans, and families of Enterprise crew members in a tribute to the courage and sacrifice that defined the Greatest Generation.
“We’re here to reunite two mighty warships: the BB-62 and what is left of CV-6,” said Marshall Spivak, CEO and Executive Director of Battleship New Jersey. “The Enterprise, the most decorated ship from World War II, with 20 battle stars. This battleship earned 19 battle stars over the course of five separate conflicts. The New Jersey and the Enterprise served together in the Pacific, and we’re extremely honored to play temporary host of this stern plate.”
TWO LEGENDS, ONE LEGACY
The USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS New Jersey (BB-62) represent the pinnacle of American naval power during World War II. Both ships fought side-by-side in nine Pacific campaigns from February 1944 through September 1945 as members of Task Force 58 and Task Force 38.
USS Enterprise (CV-6): The “Big E”
Commissioned in 1938, the Enterprise earned 20 battle stars—more than any other U.S. warship in World War II—along with a Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation.
Her aircraft participated in nearly every major Pacific battle, including the pivotal Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, where her dive bombers delivered the decisive blow that changed the course of the war.
Enterprise’s legendary service:
- Pilots flew into the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
- Sank the first Japanese warship after Pearl Harbor
- Escorted USS Hornet on the Doolittle Raid
- Fought in all four major carrier battles of the Pacific War
- Earned the Japanese nickname “The Grey Ghost” for her resilience and seeming invincibility
USS New Jersey (BB-62): America’s Most Decorated Battleship
Launched on December 7, 1942—exactly one year after Pearl Harbor—and commissioned in 1943, the battleship is the most decorated in U.S. Navy history with 19 battle and campaign stars across World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, and the Persian Gulf.
New Jersey’s impressive specs:
- Length: 887 feet 7 inches
- Top speed: Exceeding 35 knots
- Service: 21 years of active duty
- Crew: Over 45,000 sailors and Marines served aboard
The battleship served as flagship for Fleet Admiral William “Bull” Halsey (3rd Fleet), Admiral Raymond Spruance (5th Fleet), and Admiral “Jocko” Clark (7th Fleet).
A STERN PLATE SAVED FROM SCRAP
After World War II, despite fierce advocacy from Admiral Halsey and others, the Enterprise was sold for scrap in 1958. But one man refused to let her legacy disappear entirely.
William Henry Hoffman, an engineer from Rivervale, New Jersey, worked for Lipsett Inc., the company tasked with dismantling the legendary carrier. Recognizing the historical significance, Hoffman ensured the ship’s stern plate—bearing her name and hull number—was preserved rather than melted down.
“Hoffman worked for Lipsett, the company that was charged with dismantling the Enterprise. But he saw more than just scrap metal; he saw history,” said Rivervale Mayor Mark Bromberg. “He made sure this stern plate, this piece of her soul, was preserved.”
Commissioner Jennifer Fleischer, Camden County Commissioner and Liaison to Veteran Affairs, delivers remarks at the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate unveiling ceremony aboard Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. Wearing a striking red blazer, Commissioner Fleischer represents Camden County’s commitment to veteran services and naval heritage preservation during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Mayor Mark Bromberg of Rivervale Township, New Jersey, delivers remarks at the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate unveiling ceremony aboard Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. Mayor Bromberg officially donated the historic stern plate—preserved by Rivervale engineer William Henry Hoffman in 1958 and maintained by the township for 66 years—to the National Museum of the United States Navy during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Rear Admiral Ken Blackman, Vice Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers remarks at the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate unveiling ceremony aboard Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. Wearing service dress blues with white combination cover and ribbons, RADM Blackman represents the U.S. Navy at the historic ceremony marking the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary and the donation of the Enterprise stern plate by Rivervale Township, NJ. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Mayor Victor Carstarphen of Camden, New Jersey, delivers remarks at the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate unveiling ceremony aboard Battleship New Jersey. Mayor Carstarphen welcomed Navy leadership, veterans, and visitors to Camden during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations, emphasizing the city’s proud naval heritage and commitment to honoring military service. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz George Leon, President and Chair of Homecoming 250 and Battleship New Jersey trustee, addresses attendees at the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate unveiling ceremony aboard Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. Leon spent five years planning the week-long Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations, which include the Enterprise stern plate unveiling, military ship visits, parades, concerts, and commemorative ceremonies across the Delaware Valley. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Ryan Szimanski, Curator of Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, delivers remarks at the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate unveiling ceremony in Camden, NJ. Szimanski, known for his popular YouTube channel with over 275,000 subscribers, explained the historical significance of the stern plate and noted that the Camden waterfront pier is now “the most decorated pier in Navy history” with 39 combined battle stars between Enterprise (20 stars) and New Jersey (19 stars). Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Paul Robbins, 100 years old, World War II veteran who served aboard USS Manatee (AO-58) as Petty Officer 3rd Class (Patternmaker) in 1943, stands on the deck of USS New Jersey during the Enterprise stern plate unveiling ceremony. Wearing his USS New Jersey cap and jacket, Robbins is the only person present who served alongside USS Enterprise during World War II. Ben Franklin Bridge and Philadelphia skyline visible in background. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz USS Enterprise (CV-6) veterans and family members hold a ceremonial ribbon moments before cutting it to unveil the historic stern plate at Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. The group includes World War II veterans who served aboard the most decorated ship in U.S. Navy history and descendants honoring their loved ones’ service. USS New Jersey’s haze gray hull with commemorative plaques visible in background. Navy 250th anniversary celebration, October 10, 2025. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz USS Enterprise (CV-6) veterans and family members of Enterprise crew stand before the covered stern plate and replica moments before the unveiling ceremony at Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. The group includes veterans who served aboard the most decorated ship in U.S. Navy history and descendants honoring their loved ones’ service. USS New Jersey’s haze gray hull and signal flags visible in background. Navy 250th anniversary celebration, October 10, 2025. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Educational plaque aboard USS New Jersey (BB-62) displaying the ship’s 19 battle and campaign stars, service ribbons, and World War II kill board showing 20 Japanese aircraft shot down by the ship’s crew, including a kamikaze attack on November 25, 1944. The plaque details the battleship’s decorations across World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, and the Persian Gulf. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz The boarding bridge banner at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial displays “USS NEW JERSEY BB-62” in bold blue letters, welcoming visitors aboard America’s most decorated battleship during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations in Camden, NJ. The banner spans the gangway connecting the Camden waterfront to the ship’s main deck. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Paul Robbins, 100 years old, World War II veteran who served aboard USS Manatee (AO-58), and Rose Jordan, 102 years old, one of the original “Rosie the Riveters” who helped build America’s wartime fleet, sit beside the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, NJ. The historic stern plate, donated by Rivervale Township and salvaged by William Henry Hoffman in 1958, will be temporarily displayed at the battleship before its permanent installation at the National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Comprehensive historical plaque explaining the USS Enterprise (CV-6) name plate’s preservation by Rivervale engineer William Henry Hoffman in 1958, the township’s decades-long stewardship, and its 2025 donation to the National Museum of the United States Navy. The plaque includes photographs of the Enterprise being dismantled at Brooklyn Navy Yard and Hoffman standing beside the stern plate he saved from scrap. Displayed at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial during Navy 250th anniversary celebrations. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Comprehensive historical plaque documenting USS Enterprise (CV-6) service record, including 20 battle stars, 911 enemy aircraft shot down, 71 ships sunk, and participation in every major Pacific battle from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa. The plaque features historic photographs of Enterprise at sea and notes her service alongside USS New Jersey in Task Force 58 and Task Force 38. Displayed at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial during Navy 250th anniversary celebrations. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz George Leon (President and Chair of Homecoming 250) and Rivervale Mayor Mark Bromberg stand with World War II veterans and family members of USS Enterprise (CV-6) crew after the historic unveiling of the Enterprise stern plate at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, NJ. The ceremony marked the beginning of the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Scale model silhouette of USS Enterprise (CV-6) featuring 20 white stars representing each battle star earned during World War II—more than any other U.S. warship in history. The blue-painted model displays the carrier’s distinctive profile with island superstructure, flight deck, and hull design. Exhibited at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, NJ, during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations alongside the Enterprise stern plate. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz The USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate, featuring the ship’s name in bold white letters on blue steel, displayed alongside a scale model showing all 20 battle stars earned during World War II. The stern plate was donated by Rivervale Township, NJ, after being preserved by engineer William Henry Hoffman in 1958. Above the name, a Korean War service marker is visible. The display is part of the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, NJ. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Official commemorative plaque recognizing the donation of the USS Enterprise (CV-6) stern plate by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Rivervale, NJ, in October 2025. The plaque honors William Henry Hoffman (misspelled as “Henry Hoffman”), the Rivervale resident who salvaged the stern plate from the legendary carrier when she was scrapped in 1958. The artifact is temporarily displayed at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, NJ, before its permanent installation at the National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz Architectural rendering of the future National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C., showing the planned USS Enterprise (CV-6) exhibit hall. The rendering features a dramatic F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft suspended above visitors, with the Enterprise name prominently displayed. The museum, scheduled to open in 2030, will house the Enterprise stern plate as the centerpiece of the World War II Pacific Theater exhibit. Rendering displayed during the stern plate unveiling ceremony at Battleship New Jersey on October 10, 2025. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz The Philadelphia skyline rises majestically across the Delaware River as viewed from the Camden, New Jersey waterfront during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. The iconic skyline includes Comcast Technology Center, Liberty Place towers, and Center City skyscrapers. A small vessel navigates the river in the foreground. This view connects the birthplace region of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (Philadelphia, 1775) with the historic USS Enterprise stern plate unveiling at Battleship New Jersey in Camden. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz The USS New Jersey (BB-62), America’s most decorated battleship with 19 battle stars, moored at her permanent home in Camden, NJ, during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. The ship displays ceremonial signal flags and her iconic 16-inch gun turrets along the Delaware River waterfront.Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz The USS New Jersey (BB-62) displays her full 887-foot length along the Camden waterfront during the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. The iconic hull number “62” is clearly visible on the bow, along with her nine 16-inch guns and ceremonial signal flags. America’s most decorated battleship served with distinction across World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, and the Persian Gulf. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Ernesto Diaz
66 Years of Community Stewardship
For decades, the Township of Rivervale cared for the artifact, displaying it as a tribute to Enterprise, her crew, and all who served in the Pacific.
“Rivervale cared for this artifact for many years. It has been our town’s quiet salute to the Enterprise, her crew, and all who served alongside her, including those aboard this very ship beneath our feet,” Bromberg said.
On Thursday, Rivervale officially donated the stern plate to the National Museum of the United States Navy, ensuring future generations can honor the ship’s legacy.
“Today, on behalf of the people of Rivervale, we are proud to donate this historic stern plate to the National Museum of the United States Navy so that all Americans—present and future—may stand before it, reflect on the courage it represents, and remember what was sacrificed to keep our nation free,” Bromberg said.
NAVY 250TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
The stern plate unveiling marks the beginning of a week-long series of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, which officially occurs on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Rear Admiral Ken Blackman, Vice Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and a lead organizer of Navy-Marine Corps 250, emphasized the importance of connecting past service with present inspiration.
“The hull of the Enterprise was scrapped, but the stern plate was saved, and the ship is still alive,” Admiral Blackman said. “The stories that these young men can share about their time in the Philippines, in Hawaii—they really had to serve with grit in the heat of war after Pearl Harbor. There was quite a bit of uncertainty about how the war would proceed, and it was ships like the carriers that really changed the course of history.”
Legacy Lives On in Today’s Sailors
Admiral Blackman, a Burlington County, New Jersey native who was promoted to flag officer aboard USS New Jersey, praised today’s sailors and encouraged the public to engage with active-duty personnel visiting the region.
“The legacy lives on,” he said. “The Enterprise is not here, but the legacy of sailors who served in harm’s way on the New Jersey lives on in the sailors you’ll see walking off the brow of USS Billings (LCS-15) this week. Stop a sailor, ask them where they’re from, find out what they do, and you’ll feel really good about the future of our national defense.”
HOMECOMING 250: A WEEK OF CELEBRATION
George Leon, President and Chair of Homecoming 250 and Battleship New Jersey trustee, has spent five years planning the week’s events, which include:
Friday, October 11:
- Flag-raising ceremony at Camden City Hall (10 a.m.)
- Army-Navy Cup soccer match in Chester, PA
Saturday, October 12:
- Navy vs. Temple football game
Sunday, October 13 (Navy’s/Marines’ 250th Birthday):
- All-Veterans Reunion Picnic on Independence Mall (Philadelphia)
- Victory at Sea Concert featuring Patti LaBelle, U.S. Navy Band, and Marine Drum and Bugle Corps
- 7,000-person parade honoring young people and military service
- Navy 250th Commemoration with Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, and Blue Angels flyover at Independence Hall
- Fireworks over the Delaware River
“We have the stern plate from Admiral Halsey’s first flagship, and his favorite flagship stands behind it,” Leon said. “Admiral Halsey fought like the dickens to save the Enterprise. He was not successful, but William Henry Hoffman saved the stern plate.”
The Enterprise Name Endures
Leon also referenced the enduring legacy of ships named Enterprise, including the nuclear-powered CVN-65 (decommissioned 2017) and the future CVN-80, currently under construction.
“There’s a saying about the Enterprise: ‘There will always be one,'” Leon said. “God watches over children, drunks, and ships named Enterprise.”
HONORING THE GREATEST GENERATION
The ceremony featured several distinguished guests, including:
- Rear Admiral Ken Blackman, Vice Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
- Brigadier General Shannon Brown, USMC, Assistant Air Wing Commander, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
- Mayor Victor Carstarphen, City of Camden
- Mayor Mark Bromberg, Township of Rivervale
- Commissioner Jennifer Fleischer, Camden County Commissioner and Liaison to Veteran Affairs
- Commander, USS Billings (LCS-15)
- CV-6 and CVN-65 veterans and families
Remarkable Veterans in Attendance
Among the attendees were two remarkable World War II-era figures:
Paul Robbins, 100 years old, World War II veteran who served aboard USS Manatee (AO-58) as a Petty Officer 3rd Class in 1943—the only person present who served alongside USS Enterprise during the war.
Rose Jordan, 102 years old, is one of the original “Rosie the Riveters” who helped build America’s wartime fleet.
“The Most Decorated Pier in Navy History”
Ryan Szimanski, Curator of Battleship New Jersey and host of the museum’s popular YouTube channel (275,000 subscribers), provided historical context for the ceremony.
“This pier represents ships that served in 39 different campaigns through at least four different wars,” Szimanski said. “New Jersey and Enterprise sailed together throughout nine different campaigns from February 1944 all the way up until September 1945. These two ships have a history together. It’s really fitting that they are being reunited now.”
LOCAL LEADERS CELEBRATE NAVAL HERITAGE
Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen welcomed guests to the city and emphasized the importance of honoring military service.
“Welcome to the city of Camden, New Jersey. What a wonderful day!” Mayor Carstarphen said. “We wouldn’t be here today without so many individuals pulling their weight and making this happen. I always say it’s an opportunity to board the world’s greatest battleship. I’m truly honored to take part in today’s ceremony as we unveil the stern plate from the legendary USS Enterprise.”
Mayor Carstarphen also invited the public to a flag-raising ceremony at Camden City Hall on Friday, October 11, at 10 a.m. to honor the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.
Honoring Veterans’ Service
Camden County Commissioner Jennifer Fleischer, liaison to Veteran Affairs, praised the Battleship New Jersey staff and volunteers for their dedication.
“Every single step someone takes on the ship, every single swipe and every single cleaning, every single tour—it is done through the heart and done to really respect and show what the veterans preserved in our nation,” Fleischer said. “May we continue to carry forward the spirit of service, respect, and pride that defines our veterans and our nation.”
CAMDEN’S NAVAL LEGACY
The ceremony took place in a city with deep naval roots. The New York Shipbuilding Company, located in Camden, built 542 ships between 1899 and 1967, including battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. The final ship, fittingly named USS Camden (AOE-2), was launched in 1967.
USS New Jersey herself was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard across the Delaware River and has been a museum ship in Camden since 2001, attracting visitors from around the world.
A SYMBOL OF ENDURING SERVICE
The stern plate now rests on what Curator Ryan Szimanski called “the most decorated pier in Navy history,” representing 39 battle stars between the two ships.
“Battleship New Jersey and Enterprise would sail together throughout nine different campaigns,” Szimanski said. “These two ships have a history together. It’s really fitting that they are being reunited now for the next couple of years.”
Mayor Bromberg closed his remarks with a powerful reflection on the artifact’s significance.
“May this stern plate now stand beside the New Jersey as a lasting symbol of service, unity, and the enduring strength of our armed forces,” he said. “May God bless the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and the United States of America.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Battleship New Jersey will host additional commemorations throughout the year, including a Veterans Day ceremony on November 11 featuring Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Harvey “Barney” Barnum, USMC (Ret.), namesake of the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG-124).
The public is encouraged to visit Battleship New Jersey to view the USS Enterprise stern plate and participate in Navy-Marine Corps 250th anniversary events throughout the week.
For more information, visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org.
ABOUT USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6)
- Commissioned: May 12, 1938
- Decommissioned: February 17, 1947
- Battle Stars: 20 (World War II)
- Presidential Unit Citation: 1
- Navy Unit Commendation: 1
- Major Battles: Midway, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, and many others
- Nickname: “The Big E,” “The Grey Ghost”
- Fate: Sold for scrap in 1958; stern plate preserved by William Henry Hoffman
ABOUT USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62)
- Launched: December 7, 1942
- Commissioned: May 23, 1943
- Battle Stars: 19 (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Persian Gulf)
- Length: 887 feet 7 inches
- Top Speed: 35+ knots
- Service: 21 years active duty; over 45,000 sailors and Marines served aboard
- Current Status: Museum ship in Camden, NJ (since 2001)
The USS Enterprise stern plate will remain on display at Battleship New Jersey until the National Museum of the United States Navy is completed in Washington, D.C., ensuring that the legacy of the most decorated ship in U.S. Navy history endures for generations to come.
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