The South Dakota was armed with only 16 5-inch 38 calibre guns; 4 turrets port and starboard, instead of the usual 5 turrets port and starboard as in her sister ships. Instead of the two 5 inch turrets this ship had quadruple 40mm bofors mounts each side of the smoke stack. There was space limitation aboard this ship, as she had extra accommodation as a fleet flagship. It altered her outward appearance slightly. Her smoke stack had more of a squat looking appearance; as if partly buried in her superstructure. Her other distinguishing features was her overall dark sea-blue camouflage. And another prominent feature was the quadruple 40mm bofor mount placed on her foredeck, right up on the bow.

Operated in the Pacific through most of WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces, and some shore bombardment duty. Sustained moderate damage in a night gun action with the Japanese battlecruiser Kirishima and escorting cruisers off Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942; overhaul and repairs at New York Navy Yard completed February 1942. Operated in the Atlantic, with the Royal Navy, February-August 1943, then returned to the Pacific. Received minor bomb damage 19 June 1944.

Decommissioned 31 January 1947.
Stricken 1 June 1962.
Sold 25 October 1962 to be broken up for scrap.