Jump to content

USS Los Angeles (CA-135): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 33°44′18″N 118°16′44″W / 33.7383914°N 118.2789471°W / 33.7383914; -118.2789471
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
update template syntax
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 10: Line 10:
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1947}}
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1947}}
|Ship name=''Los Angeles''
|Ship name=''Los Angeles''
Line 17: Line 17:
|Ship builder=[[Philadelphia Navy Yard]]
|Ship builder=[[Philadelphia Navy Yard]]
|Ship laid down= 28 July 1943
|Ship laid down= 28 July 1943
|Ship launched= 20 August 1944
|Ship launched= 20 August 1944
|Ship acquired=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned= 22 July 1945
|Ship commissioned= 22 July 1945
|Ship decommissioned=9 April 1948
|Ship decommissioned=9 April 1948
}}
}}
Line 25: Line 25:
|Hide header=yes
|Hide header=yes
|Ship recommissioned=27 January 1951
|Ship recommissioned=27 January 1951
|Ship decommissioned= 15 November 1963
|Ship decommissioned= 15 November 1963
|Ship in service=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship out of service=
Line 76: Line 76:
===1951–1953===
===1951–1953===
''Los Angeles'' was recommissioned on 27 January 1951, Capt. Robert N. McFarlane in command. In response to the American efforts in the [[Korean War]], she sailed for the Far East 14 May and joined naval operations off the eastern coast of [[Korea]] on 31 May as flagship for Rear Admiral [[Arleigh A. Burke]]'s CRUDIV 5. During the next six months she ranged the coastal waters of the Korean Peninsula from [[Hungnam]] in the east to [[Haeju]] in the west while her guns pounded enemy coastal positions. After returning to the United States on 17 December for overhaul and training, she made her second deployment to Korean waters on 9 October 1952 and participated on 11 October in a concentrated shelling of enemy bunkers and observation points at [[Koji-ni]]. During the next few months, she continued to provide [[Naval gunfire support|off-shore gunfire support]] for American ground operations, and cruised the [[Sea of Japan]] with fast carriers of the 7th Fleet. While participating in the bombardment of [[Wonsan]] late in March and early in April 1953, she received minor damage from enemy shore batteries, but continued operations until sailing for the west coast in mid-April. She arrived at [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] on 15 May.
''Los Angeles'' was recommissioned on 27 January 1951, Capt. Robert N. McFarlane in command. In response to the American efforts in the [[Korean War]], she sailed for the Far East 14 May and joined naval operations off the eastern coast of [[Korea]] on 31 May as flagship for Rear Admiral [[Arleigh A. Burke]]'s CRUDIV 5. During the next six months she ranged the coastal waters of the Korean Peninsula from [[Hungnam]] in the east to [[Haeju]] in the west while her guns pounded enemy coastal positions. After returning to the United States on 17 December for overhaul and training, she made her second deployment to Korean waters on 9 October 1952 and participated on 11 October in a concentrated shelling of enemy bunkers and observation points at [[Koji-ni]]. During the next few months, she continued to provide [[Naval gunfire support|off-shore gunfire support]] for American ground operations, and cruised the [[Sea of Japan]] with fast carriers of the 7th Fleet. While participating in the bombardment of [[Wonsan]] late in March and early in April 1953, she received minor damage from enemy shore batteries, but continued operations until sailing for the west coast in mid-April. She arrived at [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] on 15 May.


'''USS Los Angeles CA-135 Time-Line
''''52-'53 Korean cruise''''''

'''World Event'''

15 Sept - 6 Oct '52 En route to Westpac and at Pearl Harbor 3rd Westpac Cruise
6-9 Oct Yokosuka for voyage repairs
9-11 Oct En route to Korea Bombline, with USS JOHN R. CRAIG (DD885) as escort
11-17 Oct Commenced firing in Bombline area (Kosong-Myon) at 1349, 11 October, using
main battery. First mission of ship's second tour destroyed 5 bunkers, damaged 4, neutralized
observation post and damaged 100 yards of enemy trench.
17-20 Oct Relieved on Bombline by USS HELENA (CA75) and joined Task Force 77 for
routine mission as heavy support ship.
20 Oct Departed TF 77 with USS STEMBEL (DD644) for Cobra Patrol and
gunstrike. Patrolled northern coast during night.
21 Oct Using Helicopter spot, fired on railroad targets in the vicinity of Songjin.
22 Oct Rejoined TF 77.
23 Oct TF anti-aircraft shoot. Ship knocked down three sleeves. That night departed TF,
with USS FRANK KNOX (DDR742) as escort, and moved north again for second Cobra
Patrol and gunstrike.
24 Oct Fired at Songjin on transformer station, railroad repair building, warehouse,
industrial plant, rail tunnel and bridge, inflicting damage to all targets.
25-30 Oct Returned to Bombline. Commenced firing during afternoon with air spotters, to
destroy two gun positions and damage bunkers. Treated injured U. S. Army Officer brought
aboard by helicopter. Helicopter forced to land on fantail of USS ORLECK (DD886) during
passenger transfer 28 October.
31 Oct Intercepted small boat offshore during early morning. Found to be friendly even after
improper recognition signals used. In afternoon departed Bombline and moved south to
rendezvous with USS BAYONNE (PF21), transferred aboard medical patient, and returned to
Bombline.
1 Nov Left Bombline in morning to conduct emergency Search and Rescue for crashed F9F
fighter plane. Found oil slick, but no sign of pilot. Colonel E. A. Walker, USA, Senior
Officer, Military Advisory Group, I ROK Corps, brought aboard by helicopter for conference.
2 Nov Relieved at Bombline by USS TOLEDO (CA133). Rejoined TF 77.
2-18 Nov Operated with TF 77, departing 4 November for Nagoya, Japan Stayed three days
in Nagoya, where general visiting was held for Japanese nationals. Local military and civil
authorities received aboard, including U. S. Ambassador to Japan, Robert Murphy. From
Nagoya moved on to Yokosuka for seven days routine upkeep.
19 Nov Underway from Yokosuka for Bombline.
21-22 Nov Relieved USS HELENA on Bombline and commenced operations with USS
LYMAN K. SWENSON (DD729) as escort. At 1600 set General Quarters and with
destroyers SWENSON and HAILEY (DD556) the ship fired in close support of ground
forces.
23 Nov Firing ceased in afternoon to receive South Korean Presidential party aboard:
President and Mrs. Syngman Rhee, Lieut. General and Mrs James A. Van Fleet; Lieut.
General Paik Sun Yup, chief of staff, ROK Army; and Lieut. General Lee Hung Koon,
commanding general, First ROK Corps. Party transferred to and from ship by helicopter.
24 Nov Made first gunstrike of tour at Wonsan. Among targets hit was a tank in a cave-LOS
ANGELES being the first ship to score on it after the firing of over 1500 rounds by numerous
vessels.
25 Nov Replenished and fired at Bombline.
26-28 Nov Relieved at Bombbline by USS TOLEDO to rejoin and operate with TF 77.
Representative-elect William S. MaiIIiard, California, (CDR. USNR) aboard for visit and
Thanksgiving Dinner.
28-30 Nov Cobra Patrol in Sonjin area with USS PHILIP (DDE498).
1-7 Dec Relieved TOLEDO on Bombline,. Conducted two-hour strike at Wonsan on 5
December. Representative James E. Van Zandt (REP. PA.), Captain USNR, visited aboard
ship 7 December.
8 Dec Relieved at Bombline by USS ROCHESTER (CA124) and joined TF 77 about
noon. Detached that evening, with USS RENSHAW (DDE499) as escort, to move north for
SAR mission at Songjin.
9 Dec Helicopter, piloted by Ensign Lester B. Shackford, USNR, picked up Pilot of AD-5
aircraft from USS ESSEX (CV9) (ENS George E. Tomkins, Woodland Hills, Calif.) after he
crash-landed in water near ship.
10 Dec Remained on SAR station, but without incident.
11 Dec Joined TF 77 early morning, replenished, and departed again early evening with USS
HUBBARD (DD748) for Songjjn gunstrike.
12 Dec Firing on targets south of Songjjn
13 Dec Conducted special SAR mission for USAF
14-15 Dec Rejoined and operated with TF 77
16 Dec With USS ERBEN (DD631) as escort, departed TF 77 and, proceeded to Sasebo, en
route Hong Kong for R&R period
21-27 Dec At anchor in Hong Kong. Tours, exchange of calls with VIP's and British
vessels, Christmas party for orphans and performances in city of Victoria by Glee Club
28 Dec Departed Hong Kong, proceeding via Sasebo to rejoin TF 77 the afternoon of 31 Dec
31Dec-2 Jan Rejoined and operated with TF 77
3-6 Jan Arrived Songjin with USS JAMES E. KYES (DD787) for SAR mission; then moved
on down coast to relieve TOLEDO on Bombline. Emergency trip to Nando 4 January to give
medical assistance to ROK soldiers injured in blast
7 Jan Went to Wonsan for gunstrike, but heavy snow prevented firing; returned to Wonsan
after reprovisioning morning of 8 January and conducted gunstrike
9-12 Jan Routine Bombline duty. USS McDERMUT (DD677) relieved KYES as escort on
10 January
13 Jan Helicopter crashed on deck during take-off. No injuries, but plane damaged beyond
repair
14 Jan Received TOLEDO's Helicopter
15 Jan One of the best days firing at Bombline. Marine Air spotter used. In one target area
destroyed 8 buildings, damaged 13, caused several secondary explosions, fires and trench cuts
16 Jan Wonsan gunstrike, resulting in destruction of several buildings, damage to many
more and destruction of heavy mortar position
17-20 Jan Routine Bombline duty, with USS YARNALL (DD541) relieving McDERMUT
as escort on 18 Jan
21-24 Jan Relieved at Bombline by USS ROCHESTER. Received patient from USS
MACKENZIE (DD614) for emergency appendectomy 23 Jan. Departed TF late evening with
USS NICHOLAS (DDE449), moving north for gunstrikes and radar surveillance of rail
targets.
25-26 Jan Operating near Hungnam. Firing both batteries simultaneously, 12 buildings
destroyed, 13 damaged and 2 warehouses damaged. Also rail cuts, box cars damaged.
secondary explosions and fires. Spotting plane hit by flak and forced to ditch near
ship. Helicopter, with Lt. W. W. Wear, USNR, at the controls, guided pilot (ENS David L.
Drenner, Falls City, Neb.) in ditching plane and picked him up. Took aboard medical patient
from NICHOLAS prior to leaving coastal region to rejoin TF 77.
27 Jan Transferred pilot back to USS ORISKANY (CV34) and proceeded to Yokosuka
accompanied by RENSHAW.
30 Jan-7 Feb Yokosuka for routine upkeep and recreation. Underway 7 Feb and joined TF
77 on 10 Feb.
10-24 Feb Operated with TF 77. Picked up one pilot who crashed shortly after takeoff from
USS VALLEY FORGE (CV 45) shortly after sunrise. Ensign Shackford piloted helicopter.
24-27 Feb Returned Bombline with USS HAMNER (DD718) as escort, to relieve
TOLEDO. Firing uneventful.
28 Feb Moved into Wonsan and commenced fire about 0900, four-hour shoot accounting for
destruction of 19 buildings, damage to several more, fires, secondary explosions in buildings
and power station, and hits on gun positions.
1- 2 Mar Restricted fire on Bombline due to limited visibility. HAMMER relieved by
SWENSON as screening unit.
3 Mar Conducted pre-attack bombardment of hill for one hour, with excellent results
reported by troops ashore.
4 Mar Gunstrike at Wonsan, with mediocre target damage. Ship's three-inch battery used for
first time against enemy shore installations. Ensign Shackford in ship's Helicopter made
commendatory pick-up, of pilot (LTJG James B. Overton, Sunnyvale, Calif.) shot down by
enemy AA fire, taking him off Red beach while under fire. Shackford later recommended for
Navy Cross. Estimated ten enemy killed in heavy barrage laid down after rescue of
pilot. Returned to Bombline.
5 Mar Relieved by MANCHESTER (CL83) after replenishment. Proceeded to Yokosuka
for R&R, arriving there 8 Mar.
8-17 Mar Yokosuka.
18-20 Ma Underway and enroute Bombline.
21 Mar Arrived Suwon-dan area with HAMNER, began firing on supply area targets.
22 Mar Ship fired on for first time in current cruise while entering Wonsan harbor for
gunstrike. USS HALSEY POWELL (DD686) accompanying. Spotter called three-gun salvos
on building group in northwest corner of harbor the sharpest shooting he had seen. Day's fire
destroyed seven buildings and damaged others, in addition to damaging several bridges and
achieving a direct hit on a rail tunnel.
23-26 Mar Routine fire missions along Bombline, with Chaplain and party going ashore on
25 March to distribute soap, candy, and clothing to refugees in a number of fishing villages
above Sindaeri.
27 Mar Began tenth gunstrike on Wonsan, accompanied by USS EVERSOLE
(DD789). Ship sustained first direct hit from enemy fire, a single round hitting a starboard
radar director room, putting it out of commission but injuring no one. Ship proceeded to
neutralize several of the guns which opened fire on us.
28 Mar-1 Apr Routine Bombline missions.
2 Apr Second Red shell, believed 105 millimeter, slightly injured twelve men during
Wonsan gunstrike. Shell struck mainmast, throwing shrapnel into two open gun
mounts. Armored vests prevented other injuries.
3-6 Apr Routine fire, High-line swap of chaplains brought Easter divine services to
Catholics and Protestants.
7 Apr Wonsan gunstrike with heavy air support. Ship destroyed or neutralized
approximately a dozen gun positions. Two counterbattery rounds fell 1500 yards short.
8-12 Apr Routine Bombline missions.
13 Apr Uneventful Wonsan gunstrike. Single counterbattery round splashed 1500-2000
yards short.
14 Apr Ship's gunnery officer, LCDR Robert W. Dart, closed firing key to fire round number
6,000 from cruiser's 8-inch battery during morning.
15 Apr Chaplain Organ and musical combo transferred to beach by small boat for divine
services and "Happy Hour" at Korean Military Advisory Group Headquarters, First ROK
Army Corps.
Late Apr '53 En route to Yokosuka, Japan & Long Beach (about 17,000 rounds were fired
in N. Korea)
Mid May '53 Returned to Long Beach


'''AMMUNITION EXPENDITURES'''

AS OF 16 APRIL 1953
(Not including training ammunition)
8" High capacity 6143
8" Armor piercing 12
5" High capacity 8063
5" Illuminating 572
5" AA common 1105
5" White phosphorous 170
5" VT 362
3" VT 192
TOTALS
8"/55 Caliber 6155
5"/38 Caliber 10272
3"/50 Caliber 192
Total rounds fired 16619


'''Damage inflicted to the enemy as of 16 April 1953'''

Buildings destroyed 182
Buildings damaged 259
Bunkers destroyed 159
Bunkers damaged 149
Trench cuts 83
Fires started 18
Secondary explosions 57
Supply shelters destroyed 23
Supply shelters damaged 29
Gun positions destroyed 24
Gun positions damaged 34
Main supply routes cut 13
Rail road cuts 31
Rail cars damaged 3
Enemy personnel killed or wounded 53
Troop shelters destroyed 14
Troop shelters damaged 2
H and I targets (recorded) . 434
Observation Command Posts damaged 5
Gun position cave entrance damaged 14
Tank cave entrance closed 3
Tank damaged 1
Vehicle shelters damaged 1.
Vehicles destroyed 10
Vehicles damaged 8
RR bridges damaged 4
Radar station damaged 2
Electric transformer station damaged 1
Industrial plant damaged 1
Radio tower damaged 1
Tunnel damaged 1
Platoon position damaged 1
Small boat damaged


===1953–1963===
===1953–1963===
Between November 1953 and June 1963 ''Los Angeles'' made eight more deployments to the Far East where she served as a cruiser division flagship with the 7th Fleet in support of "keeping the peace" operations in that troubled part of the world. Her operations sent her from the coast of Japan to the Sea of Japan, the [[Yellow Sea]], and the East and [[South China Sea]]s; and with units of the 7th Fleet she steamed to American bases in the [[Philippines]] and [[Okinawa]], as well as to Allied bases in South Korea, [[Hong Kong]], [[Australia]], and [[Taiwan]]. During the [[Quemoy-Matsu]] crisis in 1956<!--1955 or 1958 (see Taiwan Strait Crisis-->, she patrolled the [[Taiwan Strait]] to help protect ROC Army units from possible landing offenses from Communist China. When not deployed in the western Pacific, ''Los Angeles'' operated out of Long Beach along the west coast and in the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. She returned to Long Beach from her final Far East deployment on 20 June 1963.
Between November 1953 and June 1963 ''Los Angeles'' made eight more deployments to the Far East where she served as a cruiser division flagship with the 7th Fleet in support of "keeping the peace" operations in that troubled part of the world. Her operations sent her from the coast of Japan to the Sea of Japan, the [[Yellow Sea]], and the East and [[South China Sea]]s; and with units of the 7th Fleet she steamed to American bases in the [[Philippines]] and [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], as well as to Allied bases in South Korea, [[Hong Kong]], [[Australia]], and [[Taiwan]]. During the Quemoy-Matsu crisis in 1956<!--1955 or 1958 (see Taiwan Strait Crisis-->, she patrolled the [[Taiwan Strait]] to help protect ROC Army units from possible landing offenses from Communist China. When not deployed in the western Pacific, ''Los Angeles'' operated out of Long Beach along the west coast and in the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. She returned to Long Beach from her final Far East deployment on 20 June 1963.


==Decommissioning and sale==
==Decommissioning and sale==
Line 303: Line 86:


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
* An event to promote the July 1943 bond drive to finance the ship was held at the Hollywood Bowl on June 30, 1943. A recording of the event is available to stream on archive.org.
* USS ''Los Angeles'' was featured in ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'' comic ''[[The Red Sea Sharks]]'' by [[Hergé]]. She is shown patrolling in the [[Red Sea]] and is involved in the rescue of [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]] and his friends from a post-war [[German Type II submarine|Type II U-boat]] operated by slave traders.
* USS ''Los Angeles'' was featured in ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'' comic ''[[The Red Sea Sharks]]'' by [[Hergé]]. She is shown patrolling in the [[Red Sea]] and is involved in the rescue of [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]] and his friends from a post-war [[German Type II submarine|Type II U-boat]] operated by slave traders.
* In a scene (approximately 47:40–53:00) from the 1977 film ''[[MacArthur (1977 film)|MacArthur]]'' depicting a Pearl Harbor shipboard strategy meeting between President Roosevelt, Nimitz, and MacArthur, a painting of the USS ''Los Angeles'' is clearly seen on the bulkhead.
* In a scene (approximately 47:40–53:00) from the 1977 film ''[[MacArthur (1977 film)|MacArthur]]'' depicting a Pearl Harbor shipboard strategy meeting between President Roosevelt, Nimitz, and MacArthur, a painting of the USS ''Los Angeles'' is clearly seen on the bulkhead.


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
*[[Combat Action Ribbon]]
*[[Occupation Germany/Japan]]
*[[China Service Medal]] with star
*[[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]]
*[[American Campaign Medal]]
*[[World War II Victory Medal]]
*[[World War II Victory Medal]]
*[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]] Germany/Japan
*[[China Service Medal]] *[[2 Jan – 30 Aug 46]]
*[[National Defense Service Medal]] with star
*[[National Defense Service Medal]] with star
*[[Korean Service Medal]] with 5 [[battle star]]s
*[[Korean Service Medal]] with 5 [[battle star]]s
31 May-14 Jun 51 K5 ; Communist China Spring Offensive: 22 Apr-08 Jul 51

27 Jun-8 Jul 51 K5 ; Communist China Spring Offensive: 22 Apr-08 Jul 51

9-29 Jul 51 K6 ; UN Summer-Fall Offensive: 09 July-27 Nov 51

8 Aug-5 Sep 51 K6 ; UN Summer-Fall Offensive: 09 July-27 Nov 51

19 Sep-18 Oct 51 K6 ; UN Summer-Fall Offensive: 09 July-27 Nov 51

31 Oct-27 Nov 51 K6 ; UN Summer-Fall Offensive: 09 July-27 Nov 51

28-29 Nov 51 K7 ; Second Korean Winter: 28 Nov 51-30 Apr 52

11 Oct-4 Nov 52 ; K8 Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52

21-30 Nov 52 ; K8 Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52

1-17 Dec 52 ; K9 Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 5-3

31 Dec 52-27 Jan 53 ; K9 Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 5-3

10 Feb-5 Mar 53 ; K9 Third Korean Winter: 01 Dec 52-30 Apr 5-3

20 Mar-23 Apr 53 ; K8 Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 01 May-30 Nov 52

Only one star is authorized for participation in one or more engagements with the same code.

*[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] with 2[[battle star]]s
*[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] with 2[[battle star]]s
*[[United Nations Korea Medal]]
*[[United Nations Korea Medal]]
Line 349: Line 104:
* {{DANFS|https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/los-angeles-ii.html}}
* {{DANFS|https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/los-angeles-ii.html}}
* {{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CA135}}
* {{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CA135}}

*http://uss-la-ca135.org/3history.html

*https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/n/navy-mc-awards-manual-rev1953/ships-other-units-eligible-korean-service-medal.html


==External links==
==External links==
Line 359: Line 110:
* [http://uss-la-ca135.org/ USS ''Los Angeles'' site]
* [http://uss-la-ca135.org/ USS ''Los Angeles'' site]


<!-- non-breaking space to keep AWB drones from altering the space before the navbox-->
{{Baltimore class cruiser}}
{{Baltimore class cruiser}}
{{LAHMC}}
{{LAHMC}}

Latest revision as of 22:29, 16 October 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Los Angeles.

33°44′18″N 118°16′44″W / 33.7383914°N 118.2789471°W / 33.7383914; -118.2789471

USS Los Angeles in the Far East on 13 October 1952
History
United States
NameLos Angeles
NamesakeCity of Los Angeles, California
BuilderPhiladelphia Navy Yard
Laid down28 July 1943
Launched20 August 1944
Commissioned22 July 1945
Decommissioned9 April 1948
Recommissioned27 January 1951
Decommissioned15 November 1963
Stricken1 January 1974
Identification
Motto
Honors and
awards		See Awards
FateScrapped, 16 May 1975
General characteristics
Class and typeBaltimore-class heavy cruiser
Displacement13,600 long tons (13,818 t)
Length674 ft 11 in (205.71 m)
Beam70 ft 10 in (21.59 m)
Draft20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
Speed33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Complement1,142 officers and enlisted
Armament
Aircraft carriedCurtiss SC-1 Seahawk floatplane
Official nameUSS Los Angeles Naval Monument (John S. Gibson Jr. Park)
Designated3 May 1978
Reference no.188

The third USS Los Angeles (CA-135) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, laid down by the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, on 28 July 1943 and launched on 20 August 1944. She was sponsored by Mrs. Fletcher Bowron and commissioned on 22 July 1945, with Captain John A. Snackenberg in command.

Service history

[edit]

1944–1948

[edit]

After a shakedown cruise out of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, Los Angeles sailed on 15 October for the Far East via the west coast and arrived at Shanghai, China, on 3 January 1946. During the next year she operated with the 7th Fleet along the coast of China and in the western Pacific to the Marianas. She returned to San Francisco, California, on 21 January 1947, and was decommissioned at Hunters Point on 9 April 1948, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

1951–1953

[edit]

Los Angeles was recommissioned on 27 January 1951, Capt. Robert N. McFarlane in command. In response to the American efforts in the Korean War, she sailed for the Far East 14 May and joined naval operations off the eastern coast of Korea on 31 May as flagship for Rear Admiral Arleigh A. Burke's CRUDIV 5. During the next six months she ranged the coastal waters of the Korean Peninsula from Hungnam in the east to Haeju in the west while her guns pounded enemy coastal positions. After returning to the United States on 17 December for overhaul and training, she made her second deployment to Korean waters on 9 October 1952 and participated on 11 October in a concentrated shelling of enemy bunkers and observation points at Koji-ni. During the next few months, she continued to provide off-shore gunfire support for American ground operations, and cruised the Sea of Japan with fast carriers of the 7th Fleet. While participating in the bombardment of Wonsan late in March and early in April 1953, she received minor damage from enemy shore batteries, but continued operations until sailing for the west coast in mid-April. She arrived at Long Beach on 15 May.

1953–1963

[edit]

Between November 1953 and June 1963 Los Angeles made eight more deployments to the Far East where she served as a cruiser division flagship with the 7th Fleet in support of "keeping the peace" operations in that troubled part of the world. Her operations sent her from the coast of Japan to the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea, and the East and South China Seas; and with units of the 7th Fleet she steamed to American bases in the Philippines and Okinawa, as well as to Allied bases in South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, and Taiwan. During the Quemoy-Matsu crisis in 1956, she patrolled the Taiwan Strait to help protect ROC Army units from possible landing offenses from Communist China. When not deployed in the western Pacific, Los Angeles operated out of Long Beach along the west coast and in the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. She returned to Long Beach from her final Far East deployment on 20 June 1963.

Decommissioning and sale

[edit]

While some consideration was made to convert Los Angeles into a single-end Talos missile cruiser, with flagship facilities (in essence a heavy cruiser version of the Oklahoma City) funds were not appropriated for this or for a general overhaul to enable her continued fleet service, so she was decommissioned at Long Beach on 15 November 1963 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego. Stricken on 1 January 1974, and sold on 16 May 1975 (sale #16-5049) to the National Steel Corporation for $1,864,380.21, and scrapped in San Pedro, California.

The flying bridge and a small portion of the bow section of the Los Angeles is on display at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in San Pedro, CA.

[edit]
  • An event to promote the July 1943 bond drive to finance the ship was held at the Hollywood Bowl on June 30, 1943. A recording of the event is available to stream on archive.org.
  • USS Los Angeles was featured in The Adventures of Tintin comic The Red Sea Sharks by Hergé. She is shown patrolling in the Red Sea and is involved in the rescue of Tintin and his friends from a post-war Type II U-boat operated by slave traders.
  • In a scene (approximately 47:40–53:00) from the 1977 film MacArthur depicting a Pearl Harbor shipboard strategy meeting between President Roosevelt, Nimitz, and MacArthur, a painting of the USS Los Angeles is clearly seen on the bulkhead.

Awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Los Angeles (CA-135).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Los_Angeles_(CA-135)&oldid=1251586255"