Battleship North Carolina announces statewide license plate campaign
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The Battleship North Carolina Memorial, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, has launched the Battleship Plate Project, a statewide initiative to secure 500 paid pre-orders for a new North Carolina specialty license plate.
Pre-orders are open now at BattleshipNC.com/license-plate.
The campaign launches during the Battleship’s 65th Berth-Day year, marking six and a half decades since the historic warship was permanently berthed on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington as North Carolina’s official World War II memorial. The plate represents both a tribute to that milestone and a direct investment in the Battleship’s future.
Under North Carolina DMV requirements, at least 300 pre-orders are needed to produce a standard North Carolina plate featuring the Battleship’s logo; reaching 500 paid pre-orders allows the plate to enter production with a fully custom artistic design. A majority of the cost of every pre-order directly funds preservation, educational programming, and public access at the Battleship North Carolina Memorial; annual renewal fees will continue to support the Ship in future years. As the campaign progresses, custom plate artwork—unlocked upon reaching 500 pre-orders—will be revealed.
Executive Director, Dr. Jay Martin, said ““This plate is more than a way to show state pride — it’s a commitment to preserving one of North Carolina’s most significant historic treasures. Every pre-order directly supports the Battleship’s mission and strengthens our ability to educate, inspire, and connect future generations with our state’s World War II story.”
The USS North Carolina (BB-55), known affectionately as “the Showboat,” earned 15 battle stars during World War II—more than any other battleship in the U.S. Navy. Today, she serves as a museum ship, educational facility, and solemn memorial to the more than 11,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives during the war.
The Battleship operates as a self-sustaining institution, relying on earned revenue, donations, and community support — not state appropriations — to fund its operations. Proceeds from the license plate program will support ongoing preservation efforts and the Battleship’s wide-ranging public programming.
