Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Light cruiser

USS San Diego (CL-53) — 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.

Second World War 1939–1945

1940

The second San Diego, an antiaircraft light cruiser, was laid down on 27 March 1940 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by Mrs. Percy J. Benbough ; launched on 26 July 1941; and acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 10 January 1942, Capt. Benjamin F. Perry in command.

1942 Midway

USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) dead in the water as the heavy cruiser USS Northampton (CA-26) attempts to take her in tow during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. The cruisers USS Pensacola (CA-24), USS San Diego (CL-53), and USS Juneau (CL-52) maneuver around the carrier. Note that the after guns of the nearest light cruiser, USS Juneau (CL-52), are traine U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-304513 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

After shakedown training in Chesapeake Bay, San Diego sailed via the Panama Canal to the west coast, arriving at her name-sake city on 16 May 1942. Escorting Saratoga (CV-3) at best speed, San Diego barely missed the Battle of Midway. On 15 June, she began escort duty for Hornet (CV-8) in operations in the South Pacific. Early in August, she supported the first American offensive of the war, the invasion of the Solomons at Guadalcanal. With powerful air and naval forces, the Japanese fiercely contested the American thrust and inflicted heavy damage; San Diego was the unwilling witness to the sinking of Wasp (CV-7) on 15 September and of Hornet on 26 October.

San Diego gave antiaircraft protection for Enter prise (CV-6) as part of the decisive three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12 to 15 November 1942. After several months of service in the dangerous waters surrounding the Solomon Islands, San Diego sailed via Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, to Auckland, New Zealand, for replenishment.

At Noumea, New Caledonia, the light cruiser joined Saratoga, the only American carrier available in the South Pacific, and HMS Victorious in support of the invasion of Munda, New Georgia, and of Bougainville. On 5 November and 11 November, she joined Saratoga and Princeton (CVL-23) in highly successful raids against Rabaul. San Diego served as part of Operation "Galvanic," the capture of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. She escorted Lexington (CV-16), damaged by a torpedo, to Pearl Harbor for repairs on 9 December. San Diego continued on to San Francisco for installation of modern radar equipment, a combat information center and 40 millimeter antiaircraft guns to replace her obsolete 1.1" batteries.

1944 Eniwetok

USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) off San Francisco, California (USA), on 1 January 1944. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 19-N-60146 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

She joined Vice Adm. Marc Mitscher's Fast Carrier Task Force at Pearl Harbor on January 1944 and served as an important part of that mighty force for the remainder of the war. Her rapid-fire guns protected the carriers against aerial attack. San Diego participated in Operation "Flintlock," the capture of Majuro and Kwajalein, and "Catchpole," the invasion of Eniwetok, in the Marshall Islands from 31 January to 4 March. During this period, Task Force 58 delivered a devastating attack against Truk, the Japanese naval base known as the "Gibralter of the Pacific."

San Diego steamed back to San Francisco for more additions to her radar and then rejoined the carrier force at Majuro in time to join in raids against Wake and Marcus Islands in June. She was part of the carrier force covering the invasion of Saipan, participated in strikes against the Bonin Islands, and shared in the victory of the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19 and 20 June. After a brief replenishment stop at Eniwetok, San Diego and her carriers supported the invasion of Guam and Tinian, struck at Palau, and conducted the first carrier raids against the Philippines. On 6 and 8 August, she stood by as the carriers gave close air support to Marines landing on Peleliu, Palau Islands.

1945 Okinawa

USS San Diego (CL-53)
Yokosuka Navy Base, Japan: USS San Diego (CL-53) docks at Yokosuka on 30 August 1945, to take part in the U.S. occupation of that facility. US NAvy Employee — Naval Historical Center — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

On 21 September, the Task Force struck at the Manila Bay area. After replenishing at Saipan and Ulithi, she sailed with Task Force 38 in its first strike against Okinawa. From 12 to 15 October, the carriers pounded the airfields of Formosa while San Diego's guns shot down 2 of 9 Japanese attackers in her sector and drove the others away; unfortunately, some enemy planes got through and damaged Houston (CL-81) and Canberra (CA-70). San Diego helped escort the two crippled cruisers out of danger to Ulithi. After rejoining the fast carrier force, she successfully rode out the typhoon of 17 and 18 December, despite heavy rolling of the ship. In January 1945, Task Force 38 entered the South China Sea for attacks against Formosa, Luzon, Indochina, and southern China. The force struck Okinawa before returning to Ulithi for replenishment.

San Diego next participated in carrier operations against the home islands of Japan, the first since the D olittle/Hornet raid of 1942. The carrier force finished the month of February with strikes against Iwo Jima.

On 1 March, San Diego and other cruisers were detached from the carrier force to bombard Okino Daijo Island in support of the landings on Okinawa. After another visit to Ulithi, she joined in carrier strikes against Kyushu, again shooting down or driving away enemy planes attacking the carriers. On the night of 27 and 28 March, San Diego participated in the shelling of Minami Daito Jima; on 11 April, and again on 16 April, her guns shot down two attackers. She helped furnish antiaircraft protection for ships damaged by suicide attacks and escorted them to safety. After a stop at Ulithi, she continued as part of the carrier force supporting the invasion of Okinawa, until she entered an advanced base drydock at Guian, Samar Island, Philippines, for repairs and maintenance.

She then served once more with the carrier force operating off the coast of Japan from 10 July until hostilities ceased. On 27 August, San Diego was the first major Allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay since the beginning of the war, and she helped in the occupation of the Yokosuka Naval Base and the surrender of the Japanese battleship, Nagato. After having steamed over 300,000 miles in the Pacific, she returned to San Francisco on 14 September 1945. San Diego gave further service as part of operation "Magic Carpet" in bringing American troops home. She was decommissioned and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet on 4 November 1946, berthed at Bremerton, Wash. She was redesignated CLAA-53 on 18 March 1949. Ten years later, she was struck from the Navy list on 1 March 1959.

Other photographs

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

USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) slides down the shipways during her launching at the Bethlehem Steel Company Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts (USA), on 26 July 1941. 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
USS San Diego (CL-53)
120430-N-LI693-017 SAN DIEGO (April 30, 2012) Yeoman 2nd Class Airrion Lemons, assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), visits the USS San Diego (CL 53) memorial during a wreath-laying ceremony on the memorial's dedication anniversary. The memorial in downtown San Diego was dedicated April 30, 2004 to commemorate the Sailors aboard the World War II v (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Holly Boynton/Released) — http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/120430-N-LI693-017.jpg — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
A Japanese Aichi D3A1 ("Val") dive bomber crashing next to the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942. USN — U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News 15 April 1943 [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
San Diego, Calif. (Apr. 14, 2004) - The memorial for USS San Diego (CL 53) nears completion on San Diego's waterfront. The contemporary granite sculpture will honor the World War II-era light cruiser and her crew. San Diego amassed 18 battle stars and steamed more than 300,000 miles without any loss of life during the battle for the Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Geoffrey Patrick. (RELEASED) U.S. Navy photo by Geoffrey Patrick. — This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 040414-N-4633P-001 (next) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy Task Force 17 maneuvering to avoid a Japanese air attack during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. The aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) is at left with the light cruisers USS Juneau (CL-52) and USS San Diego (CL-53) close together at right. Several planes are visible in the center. U.S. Navy, taken from a plane from USS Hornet (CV-8). — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-304510 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Haggard (DD-555) is assisted by the light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53), after being hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa on 29 April 1945. Haggard did not sink but was not reparied and was scrapped after the war. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
Ships under construction at the Fore River Shipyard, Massachusetts (USA) on 8 October 1941 (l-r): Hull No. 1478: USS Massachusetts (BB-59); Hull No. 1490: Sinclar Superflame ; Hull No. 1479: USS San Diego (CL-53); Hull No. 1480: USS San Juan (CL-54). USN — U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo No. 29559 available at Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
In Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, on 10 January 1942. Note ice and snow on the ship. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — 19-N-27236 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
USS San Diego (CL-53) slides down the shipways during her launching at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 26 July 1941. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — 19-N-29980 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
USS San Diego (CL-53) is christened by Grace Legler Benbough (Mrs. Percy J. Benbough), during launching ceremonies at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 26 July 1941. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — This image has an extracted file : USS San Diego (CL-53) - 19-N-29983.tiff — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
USS San Diego (CL-53) is christened by Grace Legler Benbough (Mrs. Percy J. Benbough), during launching ceremonies at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 26 July 1941. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — 19-N-29983 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy light cruisers USS San Diego (CL-53) and USS San Juan (CL-54) under construction at the Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts (USA), circa in early 1941. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS San Juan (CL-54) World War II cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
Amidships looking forward plan view of USS San Diego (CL-53) in dry dock #2 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 Nov 1945. An inclining experiment (conducted in order to estimate the center of gravity of a ship) is being performed. She was in dry dock from 1 to 15 November 1945 and in overhaul from 14 Sep to 22 Nov 1945. US Navy Employee — navosurce.org , credited as U.S. Navy Photo #6945-45 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts (USA), on 10 January 1942. Note ice and snow on the ship. 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
USS San Diego (CL-53)
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 10 April 1944. Her camouflage design is Measure 33, Design 24D. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 19-N-64793 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS San Diego (CL-53)
View from the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Biloxi (CL-80) at U.S. Navy cruisers and battleships off Iwo Jima. Biloxi provided naval gunfire support for the troops ashore from 19 to 21 February 1945, when 127 mm mount No.6 fired into the barrels of gun mount No.5, slightly injuring several sailors and destroying the latter mount. Note the aircraft recognition chart on the left. USS San Diego (CL-53) U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Biloxi (CL-80) 1943-1945 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 San Diego II (CL-53) 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 San Diego (CL-53) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) underway on 8 March 1944 (NH 97825) Photographed from an airship of Blimp Squadron 32 (ZP-32). — U.S. Navy photo NH 97825 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph Launching of USS San Diego (CL-53) at the Fore River Shipyard on 26 July 1941 (19-N-2998) Unknown author — This image has been extracted from another file — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) arrives at Yokosuka, 30 August 1945 US NAvy Employee — Naval Historical Center — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph 120430-N-LI693-017 USS San Diego (CL 53) memorial April 2012 (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Holly Boynton/Released) — http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/120430-N-LI693-017.jpg — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph Damaged USS Hornet (CV-8) surrounded by cruisers during Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands 1942 U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-304513 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph Japanese Aichi D3A crashes near USS San Diego (CL-53) during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942 USN — U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News 15 April 1943 [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph US Navy 040414-N-4633P-001 The memorial for USS San Diego (CL 53) nears completion on San Diego's waterfront U.S. Navy photo by Geoffrey Patrick. — This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 040414-N-4633P-001 (next) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph US Task Force 17 maneuvering during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands 1942 U.S. Navy, taken from a plane from USS Hornet (CV-8). — Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-304510 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph USS Haggard (DD-555) is assisted by USS San Diego (CL-53), after being hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa on 29 April 1945 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph USS Massachusetts (BB-59) San Diego (CL-53) and San Juan (CL-54) at Fore River Shipyard 1941 USN — U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo No. 29559 available at Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) - 19-N-27236 Unknown author — 19-N-27236 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) - 19-N-29980 Unknown author — 19-N-29980 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) - 19-N-29983 Unknown author — This image has an extracted file : USS San Diego (CL-53) - 19-N-29983.tiff — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) - 19-N-29983 Unknown author — 19-N-29983 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) and USS San Juan (CL-54) under construction at the Fore River Shipyard, circa in early 1941 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS San Juan (CL-54) World War II cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) forward armament, late 1945 US Navy Employee — navosurce.org , credited as U.S. Navy Photo #6945-45 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) in Boston Harbor on 10 January 1942 (19-N-27236) Unknown author — This image has been extracted from another file — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) off San Francisco on 1 January 1944 (19-N-60146) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 19-N-60146 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 10 April 1944 (19-N-64793) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 19-N-64793 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  22. Photograph USS San Diego (CL-53) underway with battleships off Iwo Jima in February 1945 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Biloxi (CL-80) 1943-1945 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons