USS Pasadena (CL-65)

USS Pasadena (CL-65) was a light cruiser built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in mid-1944, she served extensively in the Pacific Theater of Operations, providing vital naval gunfire support and anti-aircraft warfare screening for fast carrier task forces. Following the war, the cruiser performed occupation duty before being decommissioned in 1950 and ultimately sold for scrap.

Design and description

The Pasadena was a member of the ''Cleveland'' class, the most numerous class of light cruisers ever constructed. Her design was a direct development from the earlier , modified to incorporate a more compact superstructure and a fifth 6-inch gun turret to improve anti-aircraft fields of fire. Her main battery consisted of twelve 6-inch/47-caliber Mark 16 guns mounted in four triple turrets, with a secondary battery of twelve 5-inch/38-caliber guns in six dual mounts for use against both surface and aerial targets. Protection included an internal armor belt up to five inches thick and extensive compartmentalization to enhance survivability. Propelled by four General Electric geared steam turbines driving four shafts, she could achieve a top speed of over 32 knots, enabling operations with the fast carrier task forces of the Pacific Fleet.

Construction and career

The ship's keel was laid down on 6 February 1943 at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation yard in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched on 28 December 1943, sponsored by Mrs. R. W. P. Johnston, the wife of a prominent Pasadena, California businessman, and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 8 June 1944 under the command of Captain Richard B. Tuggle. Following her shakedown cruise in the Caribbean Sea near Trinidad, Pasadena transited the Panama Canal in August 1944 and reported for duty with the Third Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

World War II service

Pasadena joined Task Force 38 in September 1944, immediately participating in air strikes against Peleliu and providing cover for the invasion of the Philippines. She engaged in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, screening aircraft carriers during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea and the Battle off Cape Engaño. Throughout late 1944 and 1945, she supported operations against Luzon, Formosa, and the Japanese home islands, including raids on Tokyo and the invasion of Iwo Jima. During the Battle of Okinawa, she provided critical naval gunfire support and defended against relentless kamikaze attacks. In July 1945, her guns bombarded industrial targets on Honshu near Kamaishi and Hamamatsu. She was present in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender on 2 September 1945.

Post-war service and fate

After Victory over Japan Day, Pasadena remained in the Far East for occupation duty, visiting ports in Japan, Korea, and China until November 1945. She returned to the United States via the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, arriving at her namesake city, Pasadena, California, for a celebratory visit in December. Following operations along the West Coast of the United States and a final deployment to the Western Pacific in 1946, she was placed in reserve at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. The cruiser was decommissioned on 12 January 1950, remained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet for nearly a decade, was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 March 1959, and sold for scrapping to Zidell Explorations, Inc. of Portland, Oregon on 5 July 1959.

Awards

For her World War II service, USS Pasadena was awarded five battle stars. She also received the Navy Occupation Service Medal with "Asia" clasp for her post-war duties in the Far East.

Category:Cleveland-class cruisers Category:Ships built in Quincy, Massachusetts Category:World War II cruisers of the United States