USS Bremerton (CA-130)

USS "Bremerton" (CA-130), named for the city of Bremerton in Washington state, was a "Baltimore"-class heavy cruiser laid down by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden in New Jersey on 1 February 1943, launched on 2 July 1944 by Miss Elizabeth K. McGowan and commissioned on 29 April 1945, Captain J. B. Mallard in command.

Aboard "Bremerton" was a complete butcher shop, shoe shop, photo lab, two barber shops, a galley, a tailor shop, a library, a laundry plant and a fresh waterr distillery. The ship's fuel tanks were able to carry her from the united States to Japan and back, non-stop; and depending upon her load, she displaced up to 17,500 tons.

Over 1,000 men lived and worked aboard "Bremerton". Included as a part of this efficient team was a Marine Detachment of 45 men commanded by two Marine officers. The men aboard Bremerton represented almost all of the then 48 states, plus the then territories of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippine Islands.

"Bremerton" left Norfolk for her shakedown cruise in the waters off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 29 May 1945. Toward the end of the shakedown period she served as flagship for Admiral Jonas Ingram, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, during his South American tour of inspection. She returned to the United States and engaged in experimental work at Casco Bay, Maine, from 22 July to 2 October 1945.

On 7 November 1945 she sailed to Guantanamo Bay for further training. She then proceeded to Pearl Harbor en route for duty in the 7th Fleet. "Bremerton" arrived at Pearl Harbor 15 December 1945 and Inchon, Korea, 4 January 1946. She operated in the Far East until 20 November 1946, when she arrived at San Pedro, Calif. She participated in type training and made one reserve training cruise off the west coast before placed out of commission in reserve at San Francisco 9 April 1948.

"Bremerton" was recommissioned 23 November 1951. After refresher training she joined the 7th Fleet for her first cruise of the Korean war zone. Her guns blasted enemy lines at Wonsan, Kojo, Chongjin, and Changjon Hang, Korea. On 13 September 1952 she was relieved and returned to Long Beach.

Seven months were devoted to overhaul, drills, and gunnery exercises, and then on 5 April 1953 "Bremerton" again departed Long Beach for a tour with the 7th Fleet. Upon joining TF 77 her guns pounded enemy installations, troops, and railroads in Korea.

Completing this tour in November 1953, "Bremerton" returned to Long Beach and commenced a shipyard overhaul. With overhaul completed, she conducted extensive training and then departed for another tour of the Western Pacific 14 May 1954. On 4 April 1954 Commander Will P. Starnes saaumed duties as Executive Officer and on 17 October 1954 "Bremerton" returned to Long Beach and was granted a thirty day rest before continuing drills and gunnery exercises off Southern California coast.

In January 1955 "Bremerton" proceeded to Mare Island Navy Yard at Vallejo, California, for her regular overhaul period. At Mare Island "Bremerton" underwent a thorough revamping under the Navy's high-geared program of improved habitability and fighting efficiency.

On 12 July 1955 after a rigid training period, "Bremerton" again sailed for duties in the Far East. On this trip to the Western Pacific, "Bremerton" served as the flagship for Rear Admiral D. M. Tyree, Commander Cruiser Division One, later relieved by Rear Admiral H. L. Collins. For two weeks in October she served as temporary flagship for Vice Admiral A. M. Pride, Commander Seventh Fleet, in Keelung, Formosa. During this Far Eastern tour, Bremerton participated in five operations with Task Force 77. For her operations with Nationalist Forces she earned her second China Service Medal. While in Formosa, her crew participated in the Chinese Nationalist celebration of Double Ten Day with Chiang Kai-Shek presiding.

On 10 January 1956 while the Bremerton was in Yokoska, Commander Robert M. Brownlie assumed duties as Bremerton's Executive Officer. Then on 12 February Bremerton returned home to Long Beach, California, and on 28 February Captain Charles C. Kirkpatrick assumed command. Bremerton was awarded a white "E" and a green "E" for excellence for winning the Battle Efficiency competition among cruisers of the Pacific Fleet for the fiscal year 1956 and on 1 September 1956, Command was assumed by Captain Raymond H. Bass.

On 6 November 1956 "Bremerton" left her home port of Long Beach for the Orient once more, but this time going via Melbourne, Australia and the XVIth Olympiad. Besides Australia, "Bremerton" visited Ronondo Beach, Monterey, Victoria, British Columbia, Seattle, Pearl Harbor, Guam, Kwajalein Atoll, the Japanese ports of Yokosuka, Kobe, Beppu, Okinawa, Keelung, Formosa, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the cities Manilla and Olongapo of the Philippine Republic, Hong Kong and Dingalan Bay. "Bremerton" returned to Long Beach in May 1957.

"Bremerton" was decommissioned on 29 July 1960 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 October 1973.

"Bremerton" received two battle stars for service performed during the Korean action.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b9/bremerton-i.htm