Seeking Deck Logs of USS South Dakota BB-57

Dear Mr. Kemper,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck log of the USS South Dakota (South Dakota) from its commissioning on 20 March 1942 through its decommissioning on 31 January 1947. We also located World War II Action and Operational Reports, 12/7/1941 - 1946 which includes reports concerning the South Dakota’s engagements.  For access to and/or copies of these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

Also, World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, ca. 1/1/1942 - ca. 6/1/1946 in the Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Record Group 38) contains war diaries, a war history, and other records concerning the USS Dakota’s activities during World War 2. These records have been digitized and can be viewed online through the Catalog.  Please keep in mind that the Catalog does not always list files in chronological order.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!