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USS Boston (CA-69)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Boston (CA-69)

USS Boston (CA-69) was launched 26 August 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River, Mass.; sponsored by Mrs. M. J. Tobin, wife of the Mayor of Boston; and commissioned 30 June 1943, Captain J. H. Carson in command.

USS Boston (CA-69) reported to the Pacific Fleet, arriving at Pearl Harbor 6 December 1943. USS Boston (CA-69) then returned to the United States for overhaul, arriving at Long Beach, Calif., 25 March 1945. Returning to the Western Pacific, via Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok, she joined TF 38 for the raids on the Japanese home islands (20 July-15 August), including the bombardment of Kamaishi, Honshu (9 August). Following the Japanese surrender USS Boston (CA-69) remained in the Far East on occupation duty until 28 February 1946. She then returned to the United States and was placed out of commission in reserve at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard 29 October 1946.

USS Boston (CA-69) was reclassified CAG-1, 4 January 1952. In February 1952 she was towed from Bremerton, Wash., to Philadelphia for conversion to a guided missile heavy cruiser by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N. J. During conversion her after-8" turret was replaced with anti-aircraft missile launchers and she was otherwise modernized. USS Boston (CA-69) was recommissioned 1 November 1955 and operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean conducting missile evaluations and participating in fleet exercises until departing for the Mediterranean 23 November 1956. She returned in May 1957. USS Boston (CA-69) was decommissioned in the early 1970s and struck from the Navy list on 1 November 1973. 

For a complete history of USS Boston (CA-69) please see its DANFS page.