Depiction of the Cleveland class, showing the plan and profile
The Cleveland-class light cruisers traced their origin to design work done in the late 1930s; at the time, light cruiser displacement was limited to 8,000 long tons (8,100t) by the Second London Naval Treaty. Following the start of World War II in September 1939, Britain announced it would suspend the treaty for the duration of the conflict, a decision the US Navy quickly followed. Though still neutral, the United States recognized that war was likely and the urgent need for additional ships ruled out an entirely new design, so the Clevelands were a close development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the chief difference being the substitution of a two-gun 5in (127mm)dual-purpose gun mount for one of the main battery6in (152mm)gun turrets.[1]
Vincennes was 610feet 1inch (186m)long overall and had a beam of 66ft 4in (20.22m) and a draft of 24ft 6in (7.47m). Her standard displacement amounted to 11,744 long tons (11,932t) and increased to 14,131 long tons (14,358t) at full load. The ship was powered by four General Electric steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox boilers. Rated at 100,000 shaft horsepower (75,000kW), the turbines were intended to give a top speed of 32.5 knots (60.2km/h; 37.4mph). Her crew numbered 1285officers and enlisted men.[2]
The ship was armed with a main battery of twelve 6 in /47-caliber Mark 16 guns[lower-alpha 1] in four 3-gun turrets on the centerline. Two were placed forward in a superfiring pair; the other two turrets were placed aft of the superstructure in another superfiring pair. The secondary battery consisted of twelve 5in (127mm) /38-caliber dual-purpose guns mounted in twin turrets. Two of these were placed on the centerline, one directly behind the forward main turrets and the other just forward of the aft turrets. Two more were placed abreast of the conning tower and the other pair on either side of the aft superstructure. Anti-aircraft defense consisted of twenty-four Bofors 40mm (1.6in) guns in four quadruple and four double mounts and twenty-one Oerlikon 20mm (0.79in) guns in single mounts.[2]
The ship's belt armor ranged in thickness from 3.5 to 5in (89 to 127mm), with the thicker section amidships where it protected the ammunition magazines and propulsion machinery spaces. Her deck armor was 2in (51mm) thick. The main battery turrets were protected with 6.5in (170mm) faces and 3in (76mm) sides and tops, and they were supported by barbettes 6inches thick. Vincennes's conning tower had 5-inch sides.[2]
Construction and commissioning
She was originally laid down as Flint (CL-64) on 7 March 1942 at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. While the ship was under construction, however, the Battle of Savo Island occurred in August 1942, during which engagement the heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA-44) had been sunk. In order to perpetuate the name, Flint was renamed Vincennes on 16 October 1942. Launched on 17 July 1943, Vincennes was sponsored by Mrs. Arthur A. Osborn, the former Miss Harriet V. Kimmell, who had sponsored the first cruiser of the name.[3]
Commissioned on 21 January 1944, Capt. Arthur D. Brown in command, Vincennes fitted-out at her builders' yard into late February, undergoing her sea trials soon thereafter. From 25 February to the last day of March, Vincennes sailed to the British West Indies and back on her shakedown cruise. With brief stopovers in the Chesapeake Bay region, the new light cruiser "shook down" principally in the Gulf of Paria, near Trinidad.[3]
Service
Post-shakedown and training
After post-shakedown repairs and alterations, Vincennes became the flagship for Commander, Cruiser Division (CruDiv) 14, Rear Admiral Wilder D. Baker, who embarked in the light cruiser on 14 April with members of his staff. Other ships in the division included Miami and Houston — the latter perpetuating, like Vincennes, the name of a man-of-war lost earlier in action with Japanese surface units.[3]
Departing Boston on 16 April, Vincennes subsequently transited the Panama Canal and ultimately reached Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 6 May. For the next week, the ship engaged in intensive training in the Hawaiian operating area. During one of the ship's in-port periods that interspersed the at-sea training evolutions, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz came on board Vincennes and presented her embarked flag officer with a Navy Cross — won for directing bombardment operations in the Aleutians.[3]
With the shakedown and training phases of her career behind her, the sleek light cruiser put to sea on 24 May and left Pearl Harbor in her wake. After conducting exercises en route, Vincennes reached Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, six days later. A week later, she left Majuro as part of the mighty armada known as Task Force 58 (TF58). At the helm of that powerful striking force, based around the fast carriers of the Fleet, was Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher.[3]
Mariana Islands, 1944
Subsequently, Vincennes made her initial contact with the enemy. During the first strikes on the Bonins, Japanese aircraft in retaliatory raids went after the TF58 flattops. Vincennes, in the screen, downed a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber on 10 June. Her guns had drawn their first blood of the war. It would not be the last time.[3]
In the days that ensued, Vincennes supported the carriers as they launched aircraft to smash Japanese positions on Saipan and Pagan Islands on 12–13 June. On the 16th, she was part of the group that conducted the first air strikes on Iwo Jima — an isle later to be remembered by many sailors and marines. During the key Battle of the Philippine Sea, Vincennes' gunners performed their tasks well, aiding materially in the barrage of gunfire that broke up several of the enemy's nevertheless persistent attacks.[3]
On 23 June, Rear Admiral Baker shifted his flag to Vincennes' sister ship Miami, releasing the erstwhile flagship to proceed to Eniwetok, in the Marshalls, for needed engineering repairs. Dropping anchor at Eniwetok on the 27th, Vincennes completed her repairs by the end of the month; she subsequently sailed to rejoin CruDiv14, and Rear Admiral Baker brought his flag to the ship again on 7 July.[3]
Departing Eniwetok on 14 July, Vincennes operated with TF58 in the vicinity of Guam while the planes from the fast carriers conducted strikes on Japanese positions there from 18–21 July. She took part in further fast carrier task group strikes on Tinian, Rota, and Guam, through the 27th of the month. After continuing her support evolutions with the fast flattops, Vincennes headed for the Marianas, dropping her hook at Saipan on the last day of July.[3]
Departing Saipan on 1 August, Vincennes resumed her operations with the carriers, making a high-speed run to the Bonins where planes from the carriers carried out air strikes on the 4th and 5th before retiring. The cruiser subsequently put into Eniwetok to replenish, anchoring there on the 11th, where Rear Admiral Francis E. M. Whiting relieved Admiral Baker eight days later, breaking his flag at Vincennes' main on that day.[3]
Assigned next to TF34, Vincennes departed Eniwetok at the end of August and conducted tactical and gunnery exercises until joining TG38.2 on 3 September. Early that month, the task group conducted strikes on Japanese positions in the Palau Islands on 6 September. The next day, 7 September, Vincennes, as part of Task Unit 38.2.5 (TU38.2.5), under Rear Admiral Whiting, embarked on board, conducted the first shore bombardment on Japanese installations on the southernmost Palau cluster of Peleliu, Ngesebus and Angaur islands, the ship's captain subsequently recording that the coverage of the areas shelled was "excellent".[3]
Philippines, 1944
The operations against the Palaus, however, turned out to be only a curtain-raiser for the show to come — the recapture of the Philippines. Vincennes left the Palau group astern on 8 September for the southern Philippines. American carrier planes hit targets on the island of Mindanao on 9–10 September; the cruiser then screened the fast carriers as they conducted air strikes in the central Philippine Archipelago, hitting Negros, Leyte, Cebu, and the Bohol Islands from 12–14 September. Vincennes then proceeded to the operating areas off Luzon where carrier air strikes were launched against Japanese sites ashore on 21–22 September. The slate of air operations resumed again within a few days, Vincennes screening the flattops as their planes struck Leyte, Cebu, and Negros.[3]
Vincennes left the operating areas soon thereafter, however, to replenish in the Carolines, reaching Ulithi on 1 October. Her stay in port was interrupted, however, by the presence of a typhoon in the vicinity. The light cruiser sortied for typhoon-evasion purposes on the 3rd, returning to port two days later. Resuming and completing the replenishment chores at Ulithi, Vincennes subsequently weighed anchor on 6 October with TF38.[3]
Vincennes operated off Okinawa in the ensuing days, reaching the waters off that isle on 10 October. Planes from the carriers in the task groups conducted the first air strikes in that area while the ships in the screen stood poised for retaliation from shore. Many enemy planes closed the carriers and their escorting battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts — most to no avail. Friendly fighters on combat air patrol (CAP) duties overhead proved invaluable, knocking down many enemy aircraft that ventured too close. Included in the bag were a "Betty" and a Yokosuka P1Y "Frances". The enemy knew no set time to attack — Vincennes observed a "Betty" being shot down within sight of the ship during the task force's fueling-at-sea evolutions the next day.[3]
Formosa, 1944
Vincennes and her sisters next shaped course for Formosa, as the fast carriers shifted their operating area to prepare the way for the upcoming onslaught against the Japanese-occupied Philippine Islands. En route to Formosa, Japanese planes frequently showed themselves, but maddeningly stayed out of range — persistent and pugnacious snoopers that always managed to slip away untouched.[3]
On 12 October, the carriers began launching air strikes against Formosan sites; that afternoon, the task group gunners proved exceptional, downing a pair of "Betties" that ventured too close. Vincennes went to general quarters at 18:55 on that day and remained at battle stations almost continuously for the next two days. At 19:03, soon after the ship had manned her battle stations, Vincennes contributed to the flaming of two planes within 10 minutes — one at 19:03 and one at 19:10. The cruiser maintained a steady rate of fire throughout the air attack that continued intermittently until 20:45.[3]
The strikes ceased at that point, but the respite provided the Americans proved only temporary — the determined Japanese came back again. Flares dropped from "snoopers" illuminated the entire task group, bathing the ships in an eerie light. Antiaircraft fire crisscrossed the night; one enemy plane tumbled in flames from the sky; Vincennes splashed another off her starboard quarter at 23:40.[3]
The operations in the vicinity of Formosa proved dangerous, to say the least. The persistent Japanese attacks had taken their toll: the light cruiser Houston and the heavy cruiser Canberra had taken torpedoes and were badly damaged, limping out of the battle zone. To protect their flight, "Cripple Division One" was formed. Put together on 16 October, the force served its purpose; Vincennes participated in the withdrawal, screening her crippled sister-ship and division mate, and Canberra.[3]
Leyte Gulf
Vincennes then operated in the vicinity of Visayas, in the Philippines, screening, as before, the fast carriers. Enemy snoopers closed the formation on several occasions; detected early on the 24th, a Japanese four-engined flying boat — a Kawanishi H8K "Emily" — went down in flames to the guns of friendly fighters.[3]
Meanwhile, the Battle for Leyte Gulf was shaping up. At 03:25 on the 24th, Vincennes received reports of the presence of an enemy force. Four battleships, eight heavy cruisers, and 13 destroyers had been detected 7mi (6.1nmi; 11km) south of Buruncan Point, Mindanao Island. Enemy planes commenced a determined air attack; all ships in Vincennes' group maneuvered radically to avoid possible torpedoes.[3]
At 02:30 on the 25th, two enemy task groups were reported about 85mi (74nmi; 137km) north of Vincennes' formation. At 03:00, the light cruiser and her consorts headed north to engage; at 07:33, an intercepted report from a search plane told of many enemy surface ships about 120mi (100nmi; 190km) north and headed south at 20kn (23mph; 37km/h). Aircraft from the fast carriers launched and took off on the hunt, conducting persistent strikes on the Japanese ships that resulted in heavy enemy losses.[3]
Vincennes subsequently headed south toward the San Bernardino Strait in anticipation of making contact with the enemy ships, including stragglers, that were expected to transit the strait in retiring from the day's operations.[3]
At 00:26, Vincennes' radar plot disclosed a surface contact at a distance of 21,000yd (19,000m). Vincennes, Biloxi and Miami escorted by DesDiv 103, broke from the formation to attack. At 00:54, gun-flashes from Vincennes and her sisters' main battery split the night; both main and secondary batteries — 6 and 5-inch guns — in company with the 5-inch guns of the destroyers, hurled salvoes at the enemy vessel. The vessel — tentatively identified as a cruiser — sank beneath the waves at 01:49 as a result of the deluge of rapid shellfire.[3] Their victim was actually the Nowaki.
Vincennes returned to former cruising grounds off Visayas on 28 October and off Luzon the following day. The ship experienced several determined air attacks on the 29th, but the CAP proved ready to accept the enemy's challenges, downing eight Japanese planes during the course of the raids.[3]
Vincennes continued her vital screening duties on 5–6 November as carrier planes carried out strikes on Japanese positions and installations on Luzon. She then headed for the Carolines, reaching Ulithi on 9 November and dropping anchor. Replenishment completed, she stood out five days later to return to the combat zone in the Philippines.[3]
By the time she returned, air strikes against Japanese positions on Luzon were well underway; enemy resistance — now taking on a fiercer aspect with more widespread use of the kamikaze, proved heavy once more, several persistent air attacks occurring on the ships with which Vincennes was operating. Hancock, Intrepid and Cabot all took kamikazes. Vincennes blasted a second kamikaze heading for Cabot; others that managed to get by the CAP were taken under fire as well.[3]
Subsequently, Vincennes returned to Ulithi for further replenishment and conducted exercises en route back to the battle zones. Vincennes then operated in support of carrier air strikes on Luzon from 14–16 December; during that time, Vincennes' senior aviator, Lt. Halbert K. Evans, led a rescue mission of cruiser-based floatplanes and performed such sterling service that he was later awarded the Air Medal.[3]
Neptune's fury soon interrupted the unfolding pressure against the Japanese, however, when Typhoon Cobra swirled through the fleet on the 18th. The severe tropical storm generated gusts of wind up to 78kn (90mph; 144km/h), whipping up mountainous seas. Fortunately for Vincennes, she was able to weather the storm without serious damage. After the storm had subsided, all available ships searched for the survivors of the three destroyers, Spence, Monaghan, and Hull, which had tragically capsized in the typhoon.[3]
Further operations off of Formosa, 1945
After a Christmas respite at Ulithi from 24–30 December, Vincennes returned to the waters off Formosa, again screening the flattops. She subsequently entered the South China Sea in early January, encountering only two small enemy raids; night fighters ("friendlies") downed two enemy planes early on the morning of 10 January 1945.[3]
Assigned areas east of Cam Ranh Bay, Indochina, the task group to which Vincennes was attached conducted air strikes on shipping in that vicinity before proceeding west of Formosa for further strikes on that already-pounded isle, as well as the coast of China. Enemy air resistance, as before, proved heavy.[3]
During subsequent attacks on Formosa, Japanese planes struck back. One pushed over into a steep dive shortly after noon on 21 January; as she screamed down at her target, Vincennes commenced firing at her. At 12:09, the determined kamikaze plunged into Ticonderoga. Fires soon broke out; the carrier began trailing a tell-tale plume of black smoke. She had been hit hard.[3]
While ships rushed to Ticonderoga's aid, the formation resumed a lookout for the determined Japanese. At 12:46, Vincennes fired on enemy aircraft in the vicinity; three minutes later, the light cruiser teamed with Miami to blast a kamikaze from the sky and into the sea. The barrage of anti-aircraft fire, however, could not stop a second suicider which plunged into Ticonderoga at 12:55.[3]
After supporting strikes against Japanese positions on Okinawa, Vincennes returned to Ultihi for replenishment, reaching that place of rest on 26 January. Leaving the Carolines in her wake subsequently, the light cruiser departed Ulithi on 10 February, joining TG58.1 that evening. During scheduled gunnery exercises, a radio control target drone crashed into the splinter shield of one of Vincennes' 40mm mounts, bursting into flame. With utter disregard for their own safety, four sailors, Chief Boatswain's Mate Mack C. Miller, USN; Gunner's Mate 3d Class Carl C. Miller, USNR; Gunner's Mate 3d Class Buck E. Goebel, USNR; and Seaman 1st Class Paul G. Catarius, USNR, entered the mount and threw smoldering debris, as well as damaged and overheated ammunition over the side, thus preventing further damage. For their meritorious conduct, each man received commendation ribbons subsequently.[3]
Operations off Japan & Okinawa, 1945
Repairing the superficial damage in the wake of the drone accident, Vincennes continued with TG58.1 as it headed toward the Japanese home islands. Operating southeast of Honshū, the fast carriers conducted strikes on the Tokyo area and the southern Bonin Islands. The first carrier strikes conducted by the fast carrier planes hit Tokyo on the 16th; strikes that continued the following day, stepping up the pace of the war and carrying it to the Empire's veritable doorstep.[3]
Over the days that ensued, carrier planes hit not only targets in Japan but on Chichi Jima, hitting Japanese airfields. More strikes against Tokyo itself took place on 25 February.[3]
Four days later, the carriers launched their planes to hit Okinawa. On 1 March, Vincennes, Miami, San Diego, and DesRon61, with Rear Admiral Whiting in Vincennes as unit commander, sailed for Okino Daito Shima and shelled Japanese installations there starting large fires ashore. For directing the successful bombardment mission, Rear Admiral Whiting was awarded the Bronze Star.[3]
The following fortnight for Vincennes was spent primarily in operational training and replenishment away from the forward operating areas. Complete release from combat tensions was not enjoyed, however, for kamikazes struck Ulithi on 11 March, one crashing into the new carrier Randolph only three miles distant, and another crashing ashore.[3]
Returning to the battle zone within a week's time, Vincennes steamed with TG58.1 as it headed for Kyūshū. After American carrier-based planes had hit Japanese installations on Kyūshū, determined enemy attacks on the formation kept Vincennes' gunnery department busy on the 18th. A twin-engined bomber flew over the ship at 05:06 on that day, at an altitude of 300ft (91m). The ship's gunfire scored hits on that enemy aircraft, as well as another one that crashed into the sea 3,000yd (2,700m) astern, just 20 minutes later. At 06:01, Vincennes' gunners scored again, splashing a Japanese plane close to Wasp.[3]
Firing at enemy aircraft continued at intervals throughout the balance of 18–19 March, with Vincennes contributing an outstanding performance; her antiaircraft fire control officer, 1st Lieutenant Henry M. Lamberton, USMCR, received a Bronze Star for his direction of that battery.[3]
Vincennes operated east of Okinawa from 23–25 March, while carriers in TG58.1 sent off their planes to conduct air strikes against the Japanese on Okinawa. Two days later, the ship resumed operations east and southeast of the island earmarked for invasion and continued such operations through 5 April. On 31 March, two of Vincennes' floatplanes cooperated in rescuing a downed fighter pilot in spite of heavy enemy fire; Lt. Evans, commended earlier, received the Distinguished Flying Cross, while Lt. (jg.) George A. Greenwood, USNR, and the two rear-seat men all received Air Medals.
On 1 April, the day of the initial assault on Okinawa, enemy air attacks came thick and fast. Ships of TG58.1 smashed 12 enemy planes into the sea; Vincennes drew three assists in the action. At 13:21, the ship experienced her narrowest escape in the war; an enemy aircraft, hit by the ship's gunfire, crashed only 50ft (15m) astern.[3]
Subsequently, Vincennes operated in various groups of TF58 off Okinawa, supporting the fast carriers as they hit Okinawa and Kyūshū. Frequent and persistent air attacks characterized the three weeks commencing on 7 April, while the invasion of Okinawa proceeded apace. CAP fighters shot down many of the attackers, but sometimes the attacks came in such force that ships in the formation would have to lay down barrages of antiaircraft fire to greet the enemy aircraft that had fought their way through the friendly fighters.[3]
After another replenishment period at Ulithi, Vincennes rejoined the forces off Okinawa, remaining with TG58.1. The light cruiser performed screening duties for the fast carriers as they hit Kyūshū before being ordered to report for duty with the shore bombardment forces off Okinawa on 17 May. In company with sister-ship Vicksburg, Vincennes complied and, for 27 of the next 30 days, shelled Japanese targets ashore, both day and night.[3]
Vincennes' 6in guns fired 5,836 rounds; her 5in (130mm) batteries contributed another 10,583 rounds to the shellings. Air spotters and shore fire control spotters recorded the effectiveness of the ship's fire in their subsequent reports: she destroyed a large "disappearing coastal gun" and concentrations of troops; direct hits were scored on mortar positions; destroyed nine gun emplacements; destroyed an ammunition dump with a direct hit; destroyed coastal batteries; and closed off the entrances to at least five caves. Her airmen proved a busy lot, Lt. Evans earning a gold star in lieu of his second DFC and Lt. (jg.) Greenwood earning a DFC; each man flew 10 spotting missions.[3]
End of the war & post-war
Vincennes fired her final salvoes on 16 June and then headed for the United States for a much-needed overhaul. Sailing via Pearl Harbor, Vincennes reached Mare Island Navy Yard on 8 July and remained there until the availability was completed in late August.[3]
Vincennes under tow to be sunk as a target ship, in October 1969.
During that time, the war in the Pacific had drawn to a close with a battered but defiant Japan surrendering in mid-August. After her post-repair trials, Vincennes had shifted to San Diego on 29 August to commence her post-repair shakedown and refresher training in the waters off San Clemente Island.[3]
Vincennes then participated in Operation Magic Carpet following her refresher training, sailing between Pearl Harbor and the west coast as a transport for returning sailors and Marines. She continued her "Magic Carpet" assignment by sailing for the South Pacific that autumn, reaching Noumea, New Caledonia, to become the flagship for Rear Admiral Paul Hendren, Commander, South Pacific Area Force. On 25 October, the ship got underway to take Rear Admiral Hendren on an inspection tour of facilities at Guadalcanal; in the Russells; at Tulagi; at Espiritu Santo; and Efate, returning to Nouméa on 5 November. During the course of that brief voyage, the ship passed near the spot where her namesake had gone down that furious night of combat on 8 and 9 August 1942 in the Battle of Savo Island.[3]
Vincennes subsequently made two trips to New Zealand waters before returning home with 300 veterans embarked as passengers. Discharging them at San Francisco upon her arrival on 23 March 1946, the light cruiser sped to Mare Island where workmen soon commenced deactivating the ship.[3]
Decommissioned on 10 September 1946, Vincennes never returned to active service with the Fleet. She was one of the Cleveland class ships surveyed for conversion to guided missile configuration like her sisters Little Rock and Providence, but other ships were selected instead. Struck from the Navy list on 1 April 1966, she was sunk as a target in missile experiments[3] in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California near Point Mugu, on 28 October 1969.[4]
USS Biloxi was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.
USS Massachusetts (BB-59) is the third of four South Dakota-class fast battleships built for the United States Navy in the late 1930s. The first American battleships designed after the Washington treaty system began to break down in the mid-1930s, they took advantage of an escalator clause that allowed increasing the main battery to 16-inch (406 mm) guns, but refusal to authorize larger battleships kept their displacement close to the Washington limit of 35,000 long tons (36,000 t). A requirement to be armored against the same caliber of guns as they carried, combined with the displacement restriction, resulted in cramped ships, a problem that was exacerbated by wartime modifications that considerably strengthened their anti-aircraft batteries and significantly increased their crews.
USS South Dakota (BB-57) was the lead vessel of the four South Dakota-class fast battleships built for the United States Navy in the 1930s. The first American battleships designed after the Washington treaty system began to break down in the mid-1930s, the South Dakotas were able to take advantage of a treaty clause that allowed them to increase the main battery to 16-inch (406 mm) guns. However, congressional refusal to authorize larger battleships kept their displacement close to the Washington limit of 35,000 long tons (35,562 t). A requirement to be armored against the same caliber of guns as they carried, combined with the displacement restriction, resulted in cramped ships. Overcrowding was exacerbated by wartime modifications that considerably strengthened their anti-aircraft batteries and significantly increased their crews.
USS Washington (BB-56) was the second and final member of the North Carolina class of fast battleships, the first vessel of the type built for the United States Navy. Built under the Washington Treaty system, North Carolina's design was limited in displacement and armament, though the United States used a clause in the Second London Naval Treaty to increase the main battery from the original armament of nine 14 in (356 mm) guns to nine 16 in (406 mm) guns. The ship was laid down in 1938 and completed in May 1941, while the United States was still neutral during World War II. Her initial career was spent training along the East Coast of the United States until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, bringing the United States into the war.
USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) of the United States Navy was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that served during World War II. She was named for the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution. Future U.S. President George H. W. Bush served aboard the ship during World War II.
USS Pensacola (CL/CA-24) was a cruiser of the United States Navy that was in service from 1929 to 1945. She was the lead ship of the Pensacola class, which the Navy classified as light cruisers in 1929, with the Pensacola herself originally designated as "CL-24." Under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, from 1931 on the class was re-classified as heavy cruisers, with the Pensacola being re-designated as "CA-24." The third Navy ship to be named after the city of Pensacola, Florida, she was nicknamed the "Grey Ghost" by Tokyo Rose. She received 13 battle stars for her service.
USS Santa Fe was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.
USS Birmingham (CL-62) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.
USS Wichita was a unique heavy cruiser of the United States Navy built in the 1930s. The last American cruiser designed to meet the limits of the London Naval Treaty, she was originally intended to be a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser, accordingly with the maximum main armament of three triple 8-inch (203 mm) gun turrets. These were instead placed on an improved hull derived from the Brooklyn-class light cruisers, with increased armoring. This design would go on to form the basis for the later World War II–era heavy cruisers such as the Baltimore-class cruisers. The ship was authorized by the 1929 Cruiser Act, laid down at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in October 1935, launched in November 1937, and commissioned into the US Navy in February 1939.
USS Miami was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.
USS Mobile was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.
USS Oakland (CL-95), was a modified Atlanta-class light cruiser, the first of a group of four sometimes referred to as the "Oakland-class". She was laid down by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California, on 15 July 1940; launched on 23 October 1942; sponsored by Dr. Aurelia Henry Reinhardt, president of Mills College, Oakland, California; and commissioned on 17 July 1943. She was named for the city of Oakland, California. Like the Atlanta class, the Oakland class was designed as an anti-aircraft cruiser, with a main battery of dual-purpose guns, the principal difference between the two classes being that the Oakland-class did not have the Atlanta class's two-beam twin 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal gun turrets. They were removed for the sake of stability and the limited arcs of fire experienced by the wing turrets on the Atlantas. Oakland sustained three casualties during World War II.
USS The Sullivans (DD-537) is a retired United States Navy Fletcher-class destroyer. The ship was named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers aged 20 to 27 who died when the light cruiser, USS Juneau, was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. This was the greatest military loss by any one American family during World War II. She was also the first ship commissioned in the Navy that honored more than one person.
The USS San Diego (CL-53) was an Atlanta-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned just after the US entry into World War II, and active throughout the Pacific theater. Armed with 16 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal DP anti-aircraft guns and 16 Bofors 40 mm AA guns, the Atlanta-class cruisers had one of the heaviest anti-aircraft broadsides of any warship of World War II.
USS Wilkes-Barre was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.
USS Trathen (DD-530) was a World War II-era Fletcher-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 and 1951 to 1965.
USS Thatcher (DD-514), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Henry K. Thatcher (1806–1880).
USS Twining (DD-540), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Rear Admiral Nathan C. Twining (1869–1924).
USS Woodworth (DD-460) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Commander Selim E. Woodworth.
USS Alaska was the lead ship of the Alaska class of large cruisers which served with the United States Navy during the end of World War II. She was the first of two ships of her class to be completed, followed only by Guam; four other ships were ordered but were not completed before the end of the war. Alaska was the third vessel of the US Navy to be named after what was then the territory of Alaska, and was assigned the hull number CB-1. She was laid down on 17 December 1941, ten days after the United States entered the war, was launched in August 1943 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, in Camden, New Jersey, and was commissioned in June 1944. She was armed with a main battery of nine 12 in (305 mm) guns in three triple turrets and had a top speed of 33 kn.
Friedman, Norman (1980). "United States of America". In Gardiner, Robert & Chesneau, Roger (eds.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp.86–166. ISBN978-0-87021-913-9.
Friedman, Norman (1984). U.S. Cruisers: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-0-87021-739-5.
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea, 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-1-59114-119-8.
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