Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. New Mexico" Signed lower right. Original oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting appeared on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the U.S.S. New Mexico. The U.S.S. New Mexico was the first of a new class of battleship built at the end of World War I. She was commissioned on 20 May 1918 with Captain Ashley H. Robertson, USN in command. Her first duty was as an escort for the U.S.S. George Washington - the ship which bore President Wilson on his return trip from the Versailles Peace Conference. On 16 July 1919 she became the flagship of the newly organized Pacific Fleet. For the next twelve years she carried out peacetime missions and maneuvers in the Atlantic and Pacific. The New Mexico was modernized at Philadelphia between 1931 and 1933. As war threatened she was moved to Pearl Harbor from 6 December 1940 to 20 May 1941. Then she sailed to join the Atlantic Fleet for duty on Neutrality Patrol. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor she returned to the war in the Pacific. There she participated in campaigns against the Japanese in the Aleutians, where she joined in the massive bombardment of Kiska that forced the Japanese to withdraw. She participated in the assault on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands (1943), the Battle of Philippines Sea (1944), the Battle of Leyte Gulf (1944) and the invasion of the Philippines (1944). Her greatest moment came when she was part of the victorious U.S. fleet which sailed into Tokyo Bay to witness the surrender of the Imperial Japanese Forces. The New Mexico received six battle stars for her service in World War II. Image Size: 13.5 x 15.5 in. Overall Size: 20.75 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B09711) See More