USS Flint (CL-97)

USS "Flint" (CL-97) was a modified "Atlanta" class cruiser, sometimes referred to as "Oakland" class cruiser. She was named after the city of Flint, Michigan. She was launched on 25 January 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Company of San Francisco, California, sponsored by Mrs. R. A. Pitcher. She was and commissioned on 31 August 1944, with Captain C. R. Will in command. She was reclassified CLAA-97 on 18 March 1949.

"Flint" reported to the 3rd Fleet for duty at Ulithi 27 December 1944, and 6 days later, sailed with TF 38 for a month-long cruise in support of the invasion of Luzon. She screened aircraft carriers as they launched strikes on Luzon, Taiwan, and the China coast, and fired protective anti-aircraft cover during a Japanese kamikaze attack on 21 January 1945. Replenishing at Ulithi from 26 January to 10 February, "Flint" then sailed with newly designated Task Force 58 for air strikes on Tokyo preceding the attack on Iwo Jima. Her force arrived off Iwo Jima on 21 February to fly air support for the Marines who had landed two days previously, and "Flint" returned to Ulithi 12 March for a brief 2 days of replenishment.

Putting to sea with TF 58 for strikes against Kyūshū in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa, "Flint" aided in bringing down several airplanes in heavy attacks on the task force from 18 March to 22 March 1945. The task force then closed Okinawa, and "Flint" with other cruisers bombarded beach installations in preparation for the landings on 1 April. Aside from the period 14 to 24 May, when she was at Ulithi for upkeep, "Flint" operated off Okinawa until 13 June, when she anchored in Leyte Gulf.

"Flint" sortied from Leyte on 1 July 1945 to screen the final air attacks on the Japanese home islands and to join the bombardment of the east coast of Honshū until the cessation of hostilities. On 24 August, she took station off Nii Shima to serve as rescue ship and homing station for transport planes carrying occupation troops to Japan. Between 10 September and 15 September, she lay in Tokyo Bay, then sailed with a carrier task force to provide air and sea surveillance of Central Honshū until 21 September.

The cruiser made a voyage from Japan to Eniwetok, then loaded homeward bound servicemen at Yokosuka on 13 October 1945, bringing them into San Francisco Bay on 28 November. After sailing to Kwajalein to bring home more servicemen eligible for discharge, "Flint" reported at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, on 11 January 1946, and there was placed out of commission in reserve at Bremerton on 6 May 1947. Her dedication plaque currently rests in the Sloan Museum, in the city she is named after.

"Flint" received four battle stars for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f3/flint.htm