Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Light cruiser

USS Detroit (CL-8) — service history

This is the full service history. For the vessel's particulars, photograph and specifications, see the entry.

In the words of the US Navy. The account below is reproduced verbatim from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command — a work of the United States Government, in the public domain, and the only text on this site not written here.

Interwar 1919–1938

1922

USS Detroit (CL-8)
Sujet : Navires -- Mise à flot -- Massachusetts (États-Unis) Croiseurs -- États-Unis Massachusetts (États-Unis) Référence bibliographique : Rol, 76618 Appartient à l’ensemble documentaire : Pho20Rol Image de presse Couverture : 29 juin 1922 Langue : français Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire) — Bibliothèque nationale de France — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

The fourth 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.

1924

After a shakedown cruise to the Mediterranean De troit joined the Scouting Fleet for exercises and maneuvers along the east coast and in the Mediterranean. In September and October 1924 she was on lifeguard station for the Army round-the-world flight, then served as flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, until 23 November. After overhaul at Boston, she sailed 2 February 1925 for the west coast and fleet maneuvers along the coast and in Hawaiian waters. She returned to Boston 10 July 1925 with the Scouting Fleet.

1925

As flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Division 3, between July 1925 and March 1926 and between July and December 1926, Detroit continued to participate in maneuvers and fleet problems along the east coast and in the Caribbean. During March-April 1927 she patrolled off the coast of Nicaragua to protect American interests during political disturbances there.

1927

Detroit sailed from Boston 16 June 1927 as flagship for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. She made goodwill visits to various ports in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and received official visits from the Kings of Norway, Denmark, and Spain, and the President of the Irish Free State. She also transported Secretary of State F. B. Kellogg between Ireland and France for the talks which led the following year to the signing of the Kellogg-Briand peace pact.

1928

The cruiser returned to Norfolk 12 September 1928, for duty with the Scouting Fleet, serving as flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, from 6 July 1929 to 29 September 1930. 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. Detroit'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 Detroit's home port became Pearl Harbor. She was moored at her base with Raleigh (CL-7) and Utah (AG-16) when the Japanese attacked 7 December. The other two ships bore the brunt of an attack by six torpedo planes, and despite several strafing passes De troit was able to get underway safely and set up an antiaircraft fire which accounted for several planes. 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.

Second World War 1939–1945

1941

USS Detroit (CL-8)
Pearl Harbor attack, 7 December 1941: Photograph of the western side of Ford Island and ships in moorings offshore, taken from a Japanese Navy plane during the attack. Ships are (from left to right): USS Detroit (CL-8); USS Raleigh (CL-7), listing to port after being hit by one torpedo; USS Utah (AG-16), capsized after being hit by two torpedoes; and USS Tangier (AV-8), The Japanese writing in the Imperial Japanese Navy photo (captured) — U.S. Navy photo NH 50933 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Returning to Pearl Harbor 10 December 1941, Detroit took up convoy escort duty between her home port and the west coast. On one of these voyages she took on board 9 tons of gold and 13 tons of silver from Trout (SS-202) who had evacuated it from Corregidor and delivered the bullion to the U.S. Treasury Department at San Francisco. In September 1942 Detroit escorted two convoys to Pago Pago, Samoa, rescuing the crew of a downed PBY during one passage.

1942

USS Detroit (CL-8)
Plan view of the ship's forward superstructure and bow area, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 18 February 1942. Note Detroit's tripod foremast, signal flag bins and 6/53 guns in casemate mounts. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — This image has been extracted from another file — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Detroit 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. On 12 January 1943 she covered the unopposed landings made on Amchitka to gain a base from which to cut the Japanese supply line, and after repairs at Bremerton in February and March, returned to patrol duty to intercept reinforcements trying to reach the Japanese garrisons on Kiska and Attu. In April she bombarded Holtz Bay and Chicago Harbor on Attu, returning the next month to join in the assault and capture of the island. In August she took part in the bombardments of Kiska, then covered the lands 15 August which revealed that the island, the last outpost held by the Japanese in the Aleutians, had been secretly evacuated.

1944

USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) off the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington (USA), 11 April 1944. Her camouflage is Design 3d in the Measure 31-32-33 series. USN — Official U.S. Navy photo 19-N-63759 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Detroit 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 sailed from Adak 25 June and after repairs at Bremerton, arrived at Balboa 9 August to serve as temporary flagship of the Southeast Pacific Force. She patrolled on the west coast of South America until December.

1945

USS Detroit (CL-8)
Air Group 12 departs USS Randolph (CV-15) on 17 June 1945, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. Air Group 12 was replaced by Air Group 16, skippered by CDR Ray Davis. Unknown author — https://www.navsource.net/archives/02/15.htm — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Clearing San Francisco 16 January 1945, Detroit 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. Detroit 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. Detroit was decommissioned at Philadelphia 11 January 1946, and sold 27 February 1946.

Other photographs

Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.

USS Detroit (CL-8)
80-G-421130: Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945. Navy carrier planes fly in formation over the U.S. and British fleets in Tokyo Bay during surrender ceremonies. USS Missouri (BB-63), where the ceremonies took place, is at left. USS Detroit (CL-8) is in the right distance. Aircraft include TBM, F6F, SB2C and F4U types. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-421130 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
These records include detailed muster rolls listing all personnel assigned to ships based at Pearl Harbor, 1939-47, as well as reports of changes for sailors transferred to other ships or locations, and those missing or dead. Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 9/18/1947-1982 — This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by National Archives and Records Administration as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the Digital Public Library of America , via its partner Digital Public Library of America . Record in source catalog DPLA identifier: 28f4196498a2e4d4a2ef8bd33db30958 National Archives Identifier: 112296037 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
General notes: Use War and Conflict Number 1370 when ordering a reproduction or requesting information about this image. Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
A U.S. Navy Curtiss SOC-1 Seagull (BuNo 9875) off the light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) pictured on the ground at a civilian airport, circa 1936. This plane was later lost on 1 July 1943 in the South Pcific while being assigned to USS Denver (CL-58). U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2011.023.045 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
Aerial photograph of Balboa harbour, Panama Canal Zone, on 23 April 1934, with U.S. Fleet cruisers and destroyers moored together. Ships present include (left to right in lower left): USS Elliot (DD-146); USS Roper (DD-147); USS Hale (DD-133); USS Dorsey (DD-117); USS Lea (DD-118); USS Rathburne (DD-113); USS Talbot (DD-114); USS Waters (DD-115); USS Dent (DD-116); USS Aaron Ward (DD-132); USS Buc U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-455906 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
U.S. Navy destroyers moored together at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone, circa April 1934. Destroyers present include (from right to left): USS William B. Preston (DD-344), USS Preble (DD-345), USS Crowninshield (DD-134), USS Buchanan (DD-131), USS Aaron Ward (DD-132), USS Dent (DD-116), USS Waters (DD-115), USS Talbot (DD-114), USS Rathburne (DD-113), USS Lea (DD-118), USS Dorsey (DD-117), USS Hale (DD Stahl, U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 49903 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy amphibious force command ship USS Ancon (AGC-4) with the fleet in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945 during the formal Japanese surrender, as U.S. Navy carrier planes fly in formation overhead. She is wearing camouflage and has a large hull number on the bow. The battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) is visible to the left of Ancon 's stern, the light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) is visible to th Unknown author — U.S. Army Signal Corps photo SC 210637 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
Plan view of the ship's forward superstructure and bow area, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 18 February 1942. Note Detroit's tripod foremast, signal flag bins and 6/53 guns in casemate mounts. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — 19-N-28442 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
At the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 August 1942. Note her after 6/53 guns and men lounging on the fantail. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship. Destroyers in the background include USS Preston (DD-379), at right, and USS Conyngham (DD-371), at left. On the far side of the pier from them are USS Caldwell (DD-605), in the far center distance beyond Preston's bow, and USS Walke (DD-4 United States Navy — Naval History and Heritage Command https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nara-series/19-n/19-N-30000/19-N-33050.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) in the harbour at San Diego, California, 10 January 1935. USN — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 64610 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) and two fleet oilers in the Pacific Ocean in 1945. Detroit cleared San Francisco, California (USA), on 16 January 1945, and arrived at Ulithi on 4 February for duty with the 5th Fleet. She acted as flagship for the replenishment group serving the Fast Carrier Task Force until the end of the war, and entered Tokyo Bay on 1 September. Detroit was one of CDR William H. Balden, U.S. Navy Reserve (the photo was taken from USS Enterprise (CV-6)). — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2007.084.001.379 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) at Venice, Italy, on 11 November 1923, dressed with flags in honour of King Victor Emanuel's birthday. USN — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 54508 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California (USA), on 16 August 1942. USN — Official U.S. Navy photo 19-N-33047 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Detroit (CL-8)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Detroit (CL-8) on the Panama Canal (it appears to be the Gaillard Cut), in the 1920s. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Detroit (AOE-4) 1970 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

References

Every work this entry draws on. There are no numbered markers in the text above: what we hold is the provenance of the page — this history, this article, these photographs.

  1. History Detroit IV (CL-8) Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Naval History and Heritage Command. A work of the United States Government, in the public domain — the only text on this site reproduced verbatim.
  2. Facts USS Detroit (CL-8) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) off Port Angeles, Washington (USA), on 14 April 1944 (19-N-63828) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 19-N-63828 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph Air Group 12 departs USS Randolph (CV-15) on 17 June 1945 Unknown author — https://www.navsource.net/archives/02/15.htm — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph 80-G-421130 (23666217569) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-421130 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph Detroit (CL-8) - Passengers, September 1941 - DPLA - 28f4196498a2e4d4a2ef8bd33db30958 Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 9/18/1947-1982 — This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by National Archives and Records Administration as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the Digital Public Library of America , via its partner Digital Public Library of America . Record in source catalog DPLA identifier: 28f4196498a2e4d4a2ef8bd33db30958 National Archives Identifier: 112296037 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph F4U's and F6F's fly in formation during surrender ceremonies, Tokyo, Japan. USS MISSOURI (in) left foreground. - NARA - 520775 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph Le lancement du cruiser Detroit, Ford River (i.e. Quincy) (Massachusetts) (le 29 juin 1922) - btv1b53088424k Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire) — Bibliothèque nationale de France — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph Pearl Harbor Attack japanese recon photo North side Ford Island 80G30553 Imperial Japanese Navy photo (captured) — U.S. Navy photo NH 50933 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph SOC-1 Seagull from USS Detroit (CL-8) c1936 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2011.023.045 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph US Navy cruisers and destroyers at Balboa, Panama on 23 April 1934 U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-455906 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph US Navy destroyers at Balboa, Panama, in 1934 Stahl, U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 49903 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph USS Ancon (AGC-4) in Tokyo Bay 1945 Unknown author — U.S. Army Signal Corps photo SC 210637 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) - 19-N-28442 Unknown author — This image has been extracted from another file — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) - 19-N-28442 Unknown author — 19-N-28442 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) - USS Preston (DD-379) - USS Conyngham (DD-371) - 19-N-33050 United States Navy — Naval History and Heritage Command https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nara-series/19-n/19-N-30000/19-N-33050.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) at San Diego in 1935 USN — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 64610 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) at sea in 1945 CDR William H. Balden, U.S. Navy Reserve (the photo was taken from USS Enterprise (CV-6)). — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2007.084.001.379 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) at Venice in 1923 USN — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 54508 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) in Puget Sound in April 1944 USN — Official U.S. Navy photo 19-N-63759 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) off Mare Island in August 1942 USN — Official U.S. Navy photo 19-N-33047 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  22. Photograph USS Detroit (CL-8) on the Panama Canal in the 1920s U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Detroit (AOE-4) 1970 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons