USS Los Angeles (CA-135)

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

USS Los Angeles in the Far East on 13 October 1952
History
United States
Name	Los Angeles
Namesake	City of Los Angeles, California
Builder	Philadelphia Navy Yard
Laid down	28 July 1943
Launched	20 August 1944
Commissioned	22 July 1945
Decommissioned	9 April 1948
Recommissioned	27 January 1951
Decommissioned	15 November 1963
Stricken	1 January 1974
Identification	Callsign: NTMG Hull number: CA-135
Motto	Non Sibi Sed Patriae (Not for self, but for country)
Honors and awards	See Awards
Fate	Scrapped, 16 May 1975
General characteristics
Class and type	Baltimore-class heavy cruiser
Displacement	13,600 long tons (13,818 t)
Length	674 ft 11 in (205.71 m)
Beam	70 ft 10 in (21.59 m)
Draft	20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
Speed	33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Complement	1,142 officers and enlisted
Armament	9 × 8"/55 caliber guns (3×3) 12 × 5"/38 caliber guns (6×2) 48 × Bofors 40 mm guns (12×4) 28 × single Oerlikon 20 mm cannons
Aircraft carried	Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk floatplane
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Official name	USS Los Angeles Naval Monument (John S. Gibson Jr. Park)
Designated	3 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

1944–1948

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

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.

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

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

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.

In popular culture

• 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

• Combat Action Ribbon
• China Service Medal with star
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal Germany/Japan
• National Defense Service Medal with star
• Korean Service Medal with 5 battle stars

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 2battle stars
• United Nations Korea Medal
• Korean Presidential Unit Citation

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• http://www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_CA_135.HTML

• 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

• https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/135/04135.htm

External links

• Photo gallery of USS Los Angeles at NavSource Naval History
• USS Los Angeles site
• https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/135/04135.htm