USS New Mexico (BB-40) was the lead ship of a class of three 32,000-ton battleships, and the first vessel to be named in honor of the state of New Mexico. She was laid down on October 14, 1915 by the New York Navy Yard, launched on April 13, 1917, and commissioned on May 20, 1918.

New Mexico spent the rest of World War I operating near the United States, but steamed to Europe early in 1919 to escort President Woodrow Wilson home from the Versailles Peace Conference. Later in the year she became flagship of the newly-organized Pacific Fleet. She was a regular participant in Battle Fleet exercises in the Pacific and Caribbean during the 1920s and 1930s. In addition, she visited Australia and New Zealand in 1925 and called on South American ports during the 1920s.

Extensively modernized at the Philadelphia Navy Yard beginning in March 1931, she emerged in January 1933 with a greatly altered appearance. Her original “cage” masts were replaced by a then-modern tower superstructure, and many other improvements were made to her armament and protection. Between December 6, 1942 and March 22, 1943, she sailed to escort troop transports to the Fijis, then patrolled the southwest Pacific, returning to Pearl Harbor to prepare for the campaign against the Japanese in the Aleutians.

During the invasion on the Gilbert Islands which began on November 20, 1943, New Mexico pounded Butaritari, guarded transports during their night withdrawals from the islands, and provided anti-aircraft cover during unloading operations. After a Stateside overhaul, she took part in the capture of Mindoro and Luzon. During the later operation on January 6, 1945, she was hit by a suicide plane that killed and injured over a hundred of her crew. However, the ship was able to remain in action for several more days.

Following repairs, New Mexico participated in the Okinawa invasion from March to May 1945. She was again hit by a Kamikaze aircraft on May 12, with her crew suffering over 170 casualties. Preparing for the invasion of Japan during the war's last months, she was present in Tokyo Bay when Japan formally surrendered on September 2. She arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in mid-October 1945, decommissioned there in July 1946, then sold for scrapping in October 1947. New Mexico received six battle stars for World War II service.

With the USS New Mexico wooden ship model, one can almost hear the roar of the ocean waves. It is an exact replica of the original, handmade with vigilance, from the very first to the last step. Master craftsmen diligently carve high quality mahogany to create the ship's form. After it is sanded and puttied, skilled artists paint on the intricate details. Hand-casted resin and handmade metal parts also constitute the model. Clear lacquer provides the finishing touch and long-lasting protection. Each ship comes on a a display base with brass pedestals and a brass name plate. All items then undergo quality control and are delivered to eagerly waiting customers in protective double-lined boxes with high density foam. More than just a display piece, the New Mexico ship model is a work of art.