Admiral's Flag Bridge

The flag bridge on New Jersey was reserved for admirals, who could command fleets arrayed around the ship while New Jersey's captain remained directly responsible for the battleship itself. Completed in 1943 with a flag bridge and the latest long-range communications gear, New Jersey was also one of the Navy's fastest warships, making it an ideal fleet flagship. It served as fleet flagship for some of America's most famous admirals, including William Halsey, Raymond Spruance, Oscar Badger, and Willis Lee. During service in Vietnam, the flag bridge was reserved for visiting admirals, generals, and other distinguished guests. The five stars on the deck date to 1968 and were paid for from personal crew funds as a token of respect from the Vietnam-era crew for Fleet Admiral Halsey, who had walked the deck during some of the most critical naval battles of World War II. In the 1980s the flag bridge was used by visiting admirals, and in 1990 Rear Admiral Paul Reason became the last admiral to fly his flag from New Jersey's historic decks.

Camden, New Jersey · United States