USS Detroit (CL-8)

USS "Detroit" (CL-8) was an "Omaha"-class light cruiser of the United States Navy. She was the fourth Navy ship named for the city of Detroit, Michigan.

"Detroit" was launched 29 June 1922 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts; sponsored by Miss M. Couzens, daughter of James J. Couzens, the Mayor of Detroit, Michigan; and commissioned 31 July 1923, Captain J. Halligan, Jr., in command.

After a shakedown cruise to the Mediterranean "Detroit" joined the Scouting Fleet for exercises and maneuvers along the east coast and in the Mediterranean. In September and October 1924 she was on lifeguard station for the Army round-the-world flight, then served as Flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, until 23 November. After overhaul at Boston, she sailed 2 February 1925 for the west coast and fleet maneuvers along the coast and in Hawaiian waters. She returned to Boston 10 July 1925 with the Scouting Fleet.

As flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Division 3, between July 1925 and March 1926 and between July and December 1926, "Detroit" continued to participate in maneuvers and fleet problems along the east coast and in the Caribbean. During March-April 1927, she patrolled off the coast of Nicaragua to protect American interests during political disturbances there.

"Detroit" sailed from Boston on 16 June 1927 as flagship for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. She made goodwill visits to various ports in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and received official visits from the Kings of Norway, Denmark, and Spain, and the President of the Irish Free State. She also transported Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg between Ireland and France for the talks which led the following year to the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact.

The cruiser returned to Norfolk, Virginia, on 12 September 1928, for duty with the Scouting Fleet, serving as flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, from 6 July 1929 to 29 September 1930. In January 1931, she sailed for a combined fleet problem off Balboa, then became flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Force, on 19 March 1931, based on San Diego, California. "Detroit's" operations included exercises along the west coast and maneuvers in Alaskan and Hawaiian waters. Except for a fleet problem in the Atlantic in 1934 she remained in the Pacific with the Battle Force, operating from her base at San Diego.

In 1941 "Detroit's" home port became Pearl Harbor. She was moored at her base with "Raleigh" (CL-7) and "Utah" (AG-16) when the Japanese attacked on 7 December. The other two ships bore the brunt of an attack by six torpedo planes, and despite several strafing passes "Detroit", was able to get underway safely and set up an Anti-aircraft fire which accounted for several planes. She was ordered to sail at once to investigate the west coast of Oahu for any indications of a landing by the Japanese, then to join the search for the retiring Japanese force.

Returning to Pearl Harbor 10 December 1941, Detroit took up Convoy escort duty between her home port and the West coast. On one of these voyages, she took on board 9 tons of gold and 13 tons of silver from the submarine "Trout" (SS-202) (which had evacuated it from Corregidor) and delivered the Bullion to the U.S. Treasury Department at San Francisco. In September, 1942, "Detroit" escorted two convoys to Pago Pago, Samoa, rescuing the crew of a downed PBY during one passage.

"Detroit" sailed from San Francisco 10 November 1942 for Kodiak, Alaska, to become Flagship for Commander, Task Group 8.6, and patrol between Adak and Attu to prevent further enemy penetration of the Aleutians. On 12 January 1943, she covered the unopposed landings made on Amchitka to gain a base from which to cut the Japanese Supply line, and after repairs at Bremerton in February and March, returned to patrol duty to intercept reinforcements trying to reach the Japanese garrisons on Kiska and Attu. In April, she bombarded Holtz Bay and Chicago Harbor on Attu, returning the next month to join in the assault and capture of the island. In August, under the command of Capt. H. G. Sickel, she took part in the bombardments of Kiska, then covered the landings of 15 August which revealed that the island, the last outpost held by the Japanese in the Aleutians, had been secretly evacuated.

"Detroit" remained in Alaskan waters until 1944 operating with the covering group for the western Aleutian bases. In June, 1944, she saw action with TF 94 during the bombardment of shore installations in the Kuriles. She sailed from Adak 25 June, and after repairs at Bremerton, arrived at Balboa on 9 August to serve as temporary flagship of the Southeast Pacific Force. She patrolled on the west coast of South America until December.

Clearing San Francisco on 16 January 1945, "Detroit" arrived at Ulithi 4 February for duty with the 5th Fleet. She acted as flagship for the replenishment group serving the fast carrier task forces until the end of the war, and entered Tokyo Bay on 1 September. Detroit was one of two ships present at both Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and at the signing of the Japanese surrender (the other was the USS "West Virginia"). "Detroit" continued to direct replenishment operations for the Occupation fleet and in addition, the repatriation of Japanese to the home islands from Pacific bases. She left Tokyo Bay on 15 October for the United States with returning servicemen on board as part of Operation Magic Carpet. "Detroit" was decommissioned at Philadelphia 11 January 1946, and sold 27 February 1946.

"Detroit" received six battle stars for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d4/detroit-iv.htm