USS Pittsburgh (CA-72)

The third Pittsburgh (CA-72) originally named Albany was laid down 3 February 1943 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.; launched 22 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Cornelius D. Scully, wife of the Mayor of Pittsburgh; and commissioned at Boston 10 October 1944, Capt. John E. Gingrich in command.

Pittsburgh trained along the east coast and in the Caribbean until departing Boston 13 January 1945 for duty in the Pacific. After calling in Panama and final gunnery exercises in the Hawaiians, she joined TF 58 at Ulithi 13 February, assigned to TG 58.2 formed around aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-16).

The force sortied 10 February to prepare the way for the assault on Iwo Jima . Carrier air strikes against airfields near Tokyo 16 and 17 February limited Japanese air response to the initial landings 19 February. That day planes from Pittsburgh's group began direct support to Marines fighting to overcome fierce Japanese resistance on the island. Final strikes against Tokyo's environs 25 February and 1 March against the Nansei Shoto completed this operation.

Continue to the full service history →About 806 words

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Pittsburgh III (CA-72)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.