USS Iowa (BB-61), the lead ship of the Iowa class battleship, was the fourth United States Navy ship, and the second commissioned one, to be named in honor of the state of Iowa. Iowa's keel was laid down on 27 June 1940 at the New York Navy Yard. Nicknamed "The Big Stick", the battleship was launched on 27 August 1942 sponsor sponsored by Ilo Wallace (wife of Vice President Henry A. Wallace), and commissioned on 22 February 1943 with Capt. John L. McCrea in command.