As the gun caliber on British dreadnoughts grew in size, a decision was made to equip new American battleships with ten 356 mm guns. The ships were also outfitted with triple-expansion steam engines. Promptly after her entry into service, USS New York participated in the occupation of Veracruz. Following the United States entry into World War I, USS New York was designated as the flagship of Battleship Division 9 stationed at Scapa Flow. During World War II, USS New York escorted convoys and supported troop landings in North Africa, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.