USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was the lead ship of the Pennsylvania class of a United States Navy super-dreadnought battleship. She was the third Navy ship named for the state of Pennsylvania. She was laid down on 27 October 1913, by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 16 March 1915, sponsored by Elizabeth Kolb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and commissioned on 12 June 1916, with Captain Henry B. Wilson in command.