Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Cruiser

USS Honolulu (CL-48) — 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

1935

The second Honolulu (CL-48) was laid down on 10 September 1935 by the New York Navy Yard; launched on 26 August 1937; sponsored by Miss Helen Poindexter, daughter of the Governor of Hawaii; and commissioned on 15 June 1938, Captain Oscar Smith in command.

Second World War 1939–1945

1939

After a shakedown cruise to England Honolulu engaged in fleet problems and exercises in the Caribbean . She sailed from New York on 24 May 1939 to join the Pacific fleet, arriving San Pedro, Calif., on 14 June.

1941 Tassafaronga

For the remainder of the year 1939 she engaged in exercises along the West Coast. During the first half of 1940, Honolulu continued operations out of Long Beach and after overhaul at Puget Sound, sailed 5 November for duty out of Pearl Harbor. She operated there through 1941 and was moored at the Naval Station when the Japanese launched their surprise attack on 7 December 1941. Honolulu suffered only minor hull damage from a near miss. Following repairs she sailed 12 January 1942 to escort a convoy to San Francisco, arriving 21 January. The cruiser continued convoy escort duty to Australia, Samoa, and the United States until late May.

With the Japanese pushing north toward the Alaskan peninsula, Honolulu departed 29 May to strengthen America's position in that area. After 2 months of continuous operations out of Kodiak, she proceeded to Kiska Island in the Aleutians 7 August, to begin bombardment of the island. On 21 August, she screened the first American landings in the Aleutians at Adak Island (a jumping-off place for future landings in the island chain). After a yard period at Mare Island , Honolulu departed San Francisco 3 November escorting a convoy to Noumea . Later that month Honolulu sailed from Espiritu Santo to intercept an enemy convoy attempting to reinforce positions on Guadalcanal . The Battle of Tassafaronga began shortly before midnight 30 November, continuing through the night Although Admiral Wright's Task Force 67 suffered damage to cruisers Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Pensacola and lost Northampton in this battle, the enemy was denied the planned reinforcement of Guadalcanal.

Honolulu operated out of Espiritu Santo in early 1943 with Task Force 67 in an attempt to engage the "Tokyo Express." During May she engaged in heavy bombardment on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. Honolulu departed Espiritu Santo 28 June for more bombardment of the Solomons. After supporting the landings on New Georgia on the 4th of July, she opened fire on enemy ships in the vicinity of Kula Gulf , knocking out one destroyer and assisting in the destruction of others.

The battle-proved cruiser had another opportunity to damage the Japanese fleet 13 July in the Battle of Kolombangara. Shortly after midnight contact was made with an enemy cruiser-destroyer force in the "Slot." At 0110, Honolulu opened fire on a Sendai class cruiser; after three salvos the target burst into flame and was soon dead in the water. Honolulu then shifted fire on an enemy destroyer, which was immediately hit and disappeared. At 0211, a torpedo very near the surface struck the starboard side of Honolulu , causing hull damage. The task force then retired to Tulagi for temporary repairs, and on 16 August Honolulu arrived Pearl Harbor for overhaul.

After additional repairs at Mare Island, Honolulu departed San Francisco 17 November to continue her effective role in the struggle against Japan. She arrived Espiritu Santo 11 December, resuming operations in the Solomons later that month. On 27 December she engaged in the bombardment of an enemy barge, troop, and supply concentration on Bougainville Island . In the early months of 1944 the cruiser continued bombardment and patrol of the Solomon Islands. She screened the landings off Green Island 13 February before retiring to begin preparations for the Saipan and Guam operations.

Honolulu took part in bombardment of the southeastern part of Saipan in early June as the American Navy drove steadily across the Pacific. While bombarding Guam in mid-June, Honolulu was deployed north to intercept the Japanese fleet. She returned to Eniwetok 28 June for replenishment before providing support for the invasion of Guam. She remained on station for 3 weeks performing great service with her accurate gunfire before returning to Purvis Bay, Florida Island, 18 August. Honolulu sailed 6 September to provide fire support for the landings on Palau Island , remaining in this area during September uncontested by the Japanese fleet. America now had decisive command of the sea and therefore full freedom of operations.

Honolulu departed the staging area at Manus Island 12 October and sailed for the Philippine Islands invasion. She began bombardment 19 October at Leyte Gulf and the next day began screening the landings. At 1600, 20 October an enemy torpedo plane was sighted as it aimed its torpedo at Honolulu . Despite the skillful maneuvering of Captain Thurber to evade, the torpedo found its mark on the port side.

1945

Honolulu sailed the next day, arrived Manus 29 October for temporary repairs, sailed for Norfolk 19 November, arriving 20 December via Pearl Harbor and San Diego. Honolulu remained at Norfolk for the duration of the war undergoing repairs and after a shakedown cruise in October 1945, sailed to Newport for duty as a training ship. Honolulu arrived at Philadelphia on 8 January 1946 and decommissioned there on 3 February 1947 and joined the Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia.

Cold War 1954–1963

1959

On 1 March 1959, Honolulu was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register; on 17 November 1959, she was sold to Bethlehem Steel Co. for scrap.

Other photographs

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

USS Honolulu (CL-48)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48), at left, returning from the Battle of Kula Gulf, at 0810 hrs on 6 July 1943. Also visible are USS St. Louis (CL-49), at right, and a Fletcher -class destroyer. Note the Curtiss SOC Seagull visible behind Honolulu' s mast and another aircraft to the left. photographed from USS Nicholas (DD-449). — U.S. Navy photo NH 83012 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Unknown author — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Collapsed bow of the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) , after she was torpedoed in the Battle of Kolombangara on 13 July 1943. The photo was taken while she was under repair at Tulagi on 20 July 1943. Note the anchor chains and other foredeck details. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-259422 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
80-G-52870: Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943. USS Honolulu (CL-48), empty shell cases crowd the deck as the crew stacks cases. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2018/04/04). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-52870 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
80-G-52885: Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943. USS Honolulu (CL-48), funeral services onboard for Irvin L. Edwards who died onboard USS Nicholas (DD-449) after being picked up when USS Helena (CL-50) was sunk during the battle. Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth has hat on his chest. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2018/04/04). National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-52885 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Interior view of the seaplane hangar on board the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48). Note the tracks on which the aircraft were transported to the catapults on board and the fold down racks along the bulkheads. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2012.055.001 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Four U.S. Navy Curtiss SOC-3 Seagull scout-observation floatplanes, from the light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) fly in formation, circa 1938-39. They are part of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 9 (VCS-9). The planes' BuNos are (from left to right): unidentified; 1073; 1175 (a SON-1 variant of the SOC-3); and 1087. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 82466 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Battle of Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943: Marines aboard the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) fire a salute during funeral services for a casualty from the sunken USS Helena (CL-50), following the Battle of Kula Gulf. Note the chaplain at right and the audio equipment in left center, atop the cruiser's hangar cover. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-54566 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Vice admiral Robert W. Hayler, USN U.S. Navy — Vice admiral Robert W. Hayler — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Decommissioned U.S. Navy cruisers in the Reserve Basin of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania (USA), in 1947. In the foreground are three Brooklyn -class light cruisers. The four surviving New Orleans -class heavy cruisers are visible in the center background, with Northampton -class heavy cruisers tied up to the right. The first ship on the left is USS Honolulu (CL-48), the outboard shi U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy All Hands magazine October 1978 , p. 32; Official U.S. Navy photo NH 92254 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) beached off Leyte on 21 October 1944, after she had been torpedoed by a Japanese aircraft. A fleet tug (ATF) is alongside. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-289685 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
U.S. Navy cruisers leaving Roi Island en route to Saipan on 12 June 1944. Seen from the battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40), they are (left to right): the heavy cruisers USS San Francisco (CA-38), USS Minneapolis (CA-36) and USS Wichita (CA-45); and the light cruisers USS St. Louis (CL-49) and USS Honolulu (CL-48). U.S. Navy, photographed from the battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-253792 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
U.S. Navy ships of Task Force 18 in Tulagi Harbour, Solomon Islands, shortly before departing hurriedly to avoid the large-scale Japanese air attack that marked the beginning of the "I" Operation, 7 April 1943. USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) is partially visible at left. She was fatally damaged in this air attack and sank near Tulagi during salvage attempts. The light cruiser in center is USS Honolulu (C Photographed from USS Fletcher (DD-445). — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 97810 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Saipan Operation, June 1944: U.S. Navy ships of Task Force 52 prepare to depart Roi for Saipan, 12 June 1944. The ships are (left to right): the destroyer USS McNair (DD-679); the light cruiser USS Montpelier (CL-57); USS Honululu (CL-48); and the battleship USS Tennessee (BB-43). Another cruiser and an escort carrier are in the background. U.S. Navy, photographed from USS New Mexico (BB-40). — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-253678 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fullam (DD-474) recovers survivors of the high-speed transport USS Noa (APD-24) as the light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) stands by in the background, in the morning on 12 September 1944. Noa sank after being rammed by USS Fullam (DD-474) while both were en route to the invasion of Peleliu. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287120 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Aerial view of the Reserve Basin of the U.S. Navy Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) on 19 May 1955 with numerous ships in reserve. The nearest ship is the never-completed large cruiser Hawaii (CB-3), which lacks its previously-installed three 305 mm gun turrets. The cruisers outboard of Hawaii are (in unknown order) USS Honolulu (CL-48), USS Columbia (CL-56), USS Denver Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-668655 (cropped) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Battle of Kolombangara, 12-13 July 1943. A Japanese submarine tries to attack The U.S. Navy light cruisers USS Honolulu (CL-48) and USS St. Louis (CL-49), six hours out of Guadalcanal off San Christobal Islands in the Solomon Islands while a destroyer is putting out pattern of depth charges. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-258894 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) at anchor in the Pacific. Her camouflage is Measure 32, Design 2c. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2012.055.010 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
Aerial starboard side view of the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) at Williamstown, Victoria (Australia), in early 1942. Note the two Bathurst -class corvettes fitting out at the pier beyond. The tug at the bottom right of the picture is the James Paterson , which was requisitioned by the RAN for minesweeping duties during the First World War. Australian armed forces — 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 Honolulu II (CL-48) 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 Honolulu (CL-48) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Honolulu (CL-48) underway at sea on 9 February 1939 (NH 53562) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 53562 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS Honolulu (CL-48) and USS St. Louis (CL-49) returning from the Battle of Kula Gulf on 6 July 1943 (NH 83012) photographed from USS Nicholas (DD-449). — U.S. Navy photo NH 83012 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph Japanese destroyer Nagatsuki abandoned 1944 Unknown author — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph Collapsed bow of USS Honolulu (CL-48) on 20 July 1943, after she was torpedoed in the Battle of Kolombangara (80-G-259422) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-259422 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph 80-G-52870 (41238132231) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-52870 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph 80-G-52885 (41193653122) National Museum of the U.S. Navy — 80-G-52885 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph Aircraft hangar on board USS Honolulu (CL-48) c1942 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2012.055.001 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph Curtiss SOC Seagulls from VCS-9 in flight, circa in 1938 (NH 82466) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 82466 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph Marines on USS Honolulu (CL-48) fire salute at funeral services for USS Helena (CL-50) Battle of Kula Gulf casualty, July 1943 (80-G-54566) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-54566 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph NH 93019 Rear Admiral Robert Ward Hayler, USN U.S. Navy — Vice admiral Robert W. Hayler — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph Retired US cruisers at Philadelphia Navy Yard 1947 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy All Hands magazine October 1978 , p. 32; Official U.S. Navy photo NH 92254 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph Torpedoed USS Honolulu (CL-48) beached off Leyte on 21 October 1944 (80-G-289685) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-289685 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph US cruisers leave Roi for Saipan in June 1944 U.S. Navy, photographed from the battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-253792 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph US warships at Tulagi in April 1943 Photographed from USS Fletcher (DD-445). — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 97810 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph US warships off Roi depart for Saipan in June 1944 U.S. Navy, photographed from USS New Mexico (BB-40). — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-253678 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph USS Fullam (DD-474) recovers survivors of USS Noa (APD-24) after their collision, 12 September 1944 (80-G-287120) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287120 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph USS Hawaii (CB-3) and other cruisers in reserve at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 19 May 1955 (80-G-668655) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-668655 (cropped) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph USS Honolulu (CL-48) and USS St. Louis (CL-49) underway in July 1943 (80-G-258894) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-258894 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph USS Honolulu (CL-48) at anchor in 1944 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2012.055.010 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  22. Photograph USS Honolulu (CL-48) at Williamstown AUS 1942 Australian armed forces — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons