USSHonolulu(CL-48)was laid down on 10 September 1935 by the New York Navy Yard; launched on 26 August 1937; sponsored by Miss Helen Poindexter, daughter of the Governor of Hawaii; and commissioned on 15 June 1938, Captain Oscar Smith in command.
After a shakedown cruise to EnglandUSSHonolulu(CL-48)engaged in fleet problems and exercises in the Caribbean . She sailed from New York on 24 May 1939 to join the Pacific fleet, arriving San Pedro, Calif., on 14 June.USSHonolulu(CL-48)continued operations out of Long Beach and after overhaul at Puget Sound, sailed 5 November for duty out of Pearl Harbor. She operated there through 1941 and was moored at the Naval Station when the Japanese launched their surprise attack on 7 December 1941.USSHonolulu(CL-48)suffered only minor hull damage from a near miss. Following repairs she sailed 12 January 1942 to escort a convoy to San Francisco, arriving 21 January. The cruiser continued convoy escort duty to Australia, Samoa, and the United States until late May.
USSHonolulu(CL-48)operated out of Espiritu Santo in early 1943 with Task Force 67 in an attempt to engage the "Tokyo Express." During May she engaged in heavy bombardment on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands.USSHonolulu(CL-48)departed Espiritu Santo 28 June for more bombardment of the Solomons.After additional repairs at Mare Island,USSHonolulu(CL-48)departed San Francisco 17 November to continue her effective role in the struggle against Japan. She arrived Espiritu Santo 11 December, resuming operations in the Solomons later that month. On 27 December she engaged in the bombardment of an enemy barge, troop, and supply concentration on Bougainville Island.
USSHonolulu(CL-48)took part in bombardment of the southeastern part of Saipan in early June as the American Navy drove steadily across the Pacific. While bombarding Guam in mid-June,USSHonolulu(CL-48)was deployed north to intercept the Japanese fleet. She returned to Eniwetok 28 June for replenishment before providing support for the invasion of Guam.USSHonolulu(CL-48)departed the staging area at Manus Island 12 October and sailed for the Philippine Islands invasion. She began bombardment 19 October at Leyte Gulf and the next day began screening the landings.USSHonolulu(CL-48)remained at Norfolk for the duration of the war undergoing repairs and after a shakedown cruise in October 1945, sailed to Newport for duty as a training ship.Honoluluarrived at Philadelphia on 8 January 1946 and decommissioned there on 3 February 1947 and joined the Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia.
For a complete history ofUSSHonolulu(CL-48) please see its DANFS page.
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