New Orleans Class Cruiser - World War II

World War II

For almost four years, the ships of the New Orleans class were assigned to the most urgent of front line duties, and thus, became involved in more than their share of deadly action. The Astoria, Quincy and Vincennes were quickly sunk in the Battle of Savo Island, 8 – 9 Aug 1942. Although three of their number were lost, the ships proved to be well designed. The tragical loss of the three cruisers in no way reflects on the battle worthiness of these ships. The New Orleans, Minneapolis and San Francisco were also seriously damaged in early war engagements in the Pacific. These engagements included the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, in which the San Francisco engaged enemy ships at point blank range, and the Battle of Tassafaronga where the Minneapolis and the New Orleans took heavy damage and losses from Long-Lance torpedoes. Magnificent damage control work and skillful seamanship kept these ships afloat to continue to fight through the end of the war.

New Orleans class cruisers were found at every major naval skirmish of World War II in the Pacific despite the fact there were only four of the seven units remaining after the first year of war. They were some of the most used and hardest fought ships of the US Navy during the war. Three ships of this class were among the highest decorated US ships of the Second World War. The San Francisco earned 17 Battle Stars and a Presidential Unit Citation, the New Orleans earned 17 Battle Stars, and the Minneapolis earned 17 Battle Stars as well. As a class, they earned a total of 64 Battle Stars and one Presidential Unit Citation.