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USS Detroit (CL-8)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Detroit (CL-8)

USS Detroit (CL-8) was launched 29 June 1922 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by Miss M. Couzens, daughter of the Mayor of Detroit, Mich.; and commissioned 31 July 1923, Captain J. Halligan, Jr., in command.

After a shakedown cruise to the Mediterranean USS Detroit (CL-8) joined the Scouting Fleet for exercises and maneuvers along the east coast and in the Mediterranean. After overhaul at Boston, she sailed 2 February 1925 for the west coast and fleet maneuvers along the coast and in Hawaiian waters. USS Detroit (CL-8) returned to Boston 10 July 1925 with the Scouting Fleet.

USS Detroit (CL-8) sailed from Boston 16 June 1927 as flagship for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. In January 1931 she sailed for a combined fleet problem off Balboa, then became flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Force, on 19 March 1931, based on San Diego. USS Detroit (CL-8)'s operations included exercises along the west coast and maneuvers in Alaskan and Hawaiian waters. Except for a fleet problem in the Atlantic in 1934 she remained in the Pacific with the Battle Force, operating from her base at San Diego.

In 1941 USS Detroit (CL-8)'s home port became Pearl Harbor. She was ordered to sail at once to investigate the west coast of Oahu for any indications of a landing by the Japanese, then to join the search for the retiring Japanese force. Returning to Pearl Harbor 10 December 1941, Detroit took up convoy escort duty between her home port and the west coast. USS Detroit (CL-8) sailed from San Francisco 10 November 1942 for Kodiak, Alaska, to become flagship for Commander, Task Group 8.6, and patrol between Adak and Attu to prevent further enemy penetration of the Aleutians.

USS Detroit (CL-8) remained in Alaskan waters until 1944 operating with the covering group for the western Aleutian bases. In June 1944 she saw action with TF 94 during the bombardment of shore installations in the Kuriles. She patrolled on the west coast of South America until December.

Clearing San Francisco 16 January 1945, USS Detroit (CL-8) arrived at Ulithi 4 February for duty with the 5th Fleet. She acted as flagship for the replenishment group serving the fast carrier task forces until the end of the war, and entered Tokyo Bay 1 September. USS Detroit (CL-8) continued to direct replenishment operations for the occupation fleet and in addition, the repatriation of Japanese to the home islands from Pacific bases. She left Tokyo Bay 15 October for the States with returning servicemen on board. USS Detroit (CL-8) was decommissioned at Philadelphia 11 January 1946, and sold 27 February 1946.

For a complete history of USS Detroit (CL-8) please see its DANFS page.