USS San Francisco (CA-38)

USS San Francisco (CA-38) was a heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, the second ship named for the city of San Francisco. Commissioned in 1934, she served extensively in the Pacific Theater during World War II, earning a Presidential Unit Citation and 17 battle stars for her combat service. Notably damaged during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, she was repaired and continued to serve through the end of the war, participating in major campaigns from the Aleutian Islands to the Battle of Okinawa. Decommissioned in 1946, she was ultimately scrapped in 1961.

Service history

Following her shakedown cruise and initial service with the Scouting Force, San Francisco was operating out of Pearl Harbor during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, though she was at sea and avoided damage. She quickly entered combat, providing fire support during the Battle of Wake Island and screening aircraft carriers during the Doolittle Raid and the pivotal Battle of Midway. In August 1942, she supported the Guadalcanal campaign, including the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. Her most severe action came during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, where she engaged Japanese battleships ''Kirishima'' and ''Hiei'' at point-blank range; though heavily damaged and suffering heavy casualties, including the death of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan and Captain Cassin Young, she survived. After extensive repairs at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, she returned to action, participating in the Aleutian Islands campaign, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, and providing naval gunfire support during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the Battle of Okinawa. She was present in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender ceremonies.

Design and description

San Francisco was the third ship of the , designed within the limits of the London Naval Treaty. She displaced 9,950 long tons standard and featured a main battery of nine 8-inch (203 mm)/55 caliber guns mounted in three triple gun turrets. Her propulsion system consisted of four Parsons geared steam turbines powered by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers, generating 107,000 shaft horsepower for a top speed of 32.7 knots. Her armor scheme included a 3 to 5-inch belt, a protective armored deck, and up to 8 inches of armor on her gun turret faces. As built, her anti-aircraft armament comprised eight 5-inch (127 mm)/25 caliber guns and eight .50 caliber machine guns, which was significantly augmented during the war. She carried four Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes launched by two aircraft catapults for aerial reconnaissance.

Awards and legacy

For her heroic actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, San Francisco was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Over the course of World War II, she earned 17 battle stars, a total exceeded by only a few other U.S. warships. Several artifacts from the ship are preserved, including her bridge structure, which was installed as a memorial at Lands End in San Francisco overlooking the Golden Gate. Her mast stands at the Presidio of San Francisco, and one of her propellers is displayed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard museum. The ship and her crew are commemorated in the United States Navy Memorial and the National Museum of the United States Navy.

Commanding officers

The ship was commanded by a succession of officers throughout her career. Her first Commanding Officer was Captain Royal E. Ingersoll upon commissioning. Key wartime commanders included Captain Daniel J. Callaghan (who was killed in action and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor), Captain Cassin Young (also killed in action and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor), and Captain Henry C. Bruton, who commanded her during later campaigns including Okinawa. Her final commanding officer before decommissioning was Captain John H. McQuilkin.

Notes

Category:New Orleans-class heavy cruisers Category:Ships built in Vallejo, California Category:World War II cruisers of the United States Category:1933 ships