Today's classic ship, USS Baltimore (CA-68)
Baltimore class heavy cruiser
Displacement. 13,600
Lenght. 673’ 5”
Beam. 70’ 10”
Draft. 26’ 10”
Speed. 33 k.
Complement. 1142
Armament. 9 8”; 12 5”; 48 40mm; 24 20mm; 4 Aircraft
The USS BALTIMORE (CA-68) was launched 28 July 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River, Mass.; sponsored by Mrs. Howard W. Jackson, wife of the Mayor of Baltimore; commissioned 15 April 1943, Captain W. C. Calhoun in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.
Between November 1943 and June 1944 BALTIMORE was a unit of the fire support and covering forces at the Makin Islands landings (20 November-4 December 1943); Kwajalein invasion (29 January-8 February 1944); Truk raid (16-17 February; Eniwetok seizure (17 February-2 March); Marianas attacks (21-22 February); Palau-Yap-Ulithi-Woleai raid (30 March-1 April); Hollandia landing (21-24 April); Truk-Satawan-Ponape raid (20 April-1 May); air strikes against Marcus Islands (19-20 May) and Wake Island (23 May); Saipan invasion (11-24 June); and the Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June).
Returning to the United States in July 1944, she embarked President Roosevelt and his party and steamed to Pearl Harbor. After meeting with Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur, the President was carried to Alaska where he departed BALTIMORE 9 August 1944.
Returning to the war zone in November 1944, she was assigned to the 3rd Fleet and participated in the attacks on Luzon (14-16 December 1944; and 6-7 January 1945); Formosa (3-4, 9, 15, and 21 January); the China coast (12 and 16 January); and Okinawa (22 January).
On 26 January she joined the 5th Fleet for her final operations of the war: Honshu Island attacks (16-17 February); Iwo Jima operation (19 February-5 March); and the 5th Fleet raids in support of the Okinawan operation (18 March-10 June).
After the cessation of hostilities BALTIMORE served as a unit of the “Magic Carpet” fleet and then as a part of the naval occupation force in Japan (29 November 1945-17 February 1946). Departing the Far East 17 February 1946 she returned to the United States and went out of commission in reserve 8 July 1946 at Bremerton, Wash.
BALTIMORE was recommissioned 28 November 1951 and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. She was deployed with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean during the summers of 1952, 1953, and 1954. In June 1953 she represented the United States Navy in the Coronation Naval Review at Spithead, England. On 5 January 1955 she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and was deployed with the 7th Fleet in the Far East between February and August 1955.
BALTIMORE commenced pre-inactivation overhaul upon her return from the Far East and went out of commission in reserve at Bremerton, Wash. 31 May 1956.
Just under fifteen years later, in February 1971, USS Baltimore was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. She was sold for scrapping in May 1972.
BALTIMORE received nine battle stars for her service in the Pacific during World War II.
On a personal note, some of you may have noticed that I haven't been posting lately. When I retired from the Navy, I thought I would have more time on my hands. I decided to take it easy and take an easy job, and do only what was required of me. However it seems that what would be considered marginal performance in the Navy is considered outstanding performance in the civilian world, and, and after only 8 months I was offered a promotion over people who have been with the company 8 years. Like a fool I accepted. Now it seems I have less time than when I was in the Navy. I will continue to post "Today's classic ship" when I can. Y'all will just have to do without occasionally. :-)
