USS Helena (CL-50)

USS Helena (CL-50)

USS Helena (CL-50) was a St. Louis-class light cruiser of the United States Navy. Completed shortly before World War II, she was damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and participated in several battles in the Pacific War. Sunk by a surface-fired torpedo at the battle of Kula Gulf in 1943, she was one of three U.S. light cruisers to be sunk during the war.

Helena was the first ship to be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.