USS COLUMBIA CL-56 Specifications and History

CLASS: CLEVELAND, DESIGNATION: Light Cruiser, HULL NUMBER: 56
     
Armament
Main Battery: 12 - 6 inch 47 Caliber Guns in 4 Turrets
Secondary: 12 - 5 inch 38 Caliber Guns in 4 Turrets
Anti-Aircraft Guns: 28 - 40mm, 10 - 20mm
Aircraft: 4 

Dimensions
Displacement: 10,000 Tons,
LOA: 610' 1"
Beam: 66'
Draft: 20'

Armor Plating
Belt: 5"
Turrets: 6"
Deck: 2"
Bridge: 5"

Machinery
Geared Turbines: 100,000 HP
Screws: 4
Speed: 32.5 Knots,
Crew: 1255 
       

The sixth COLUMBIA (CL-56) was launched 17 December 1941 by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden N.J.; sponsored by Miss J. A. Paschal, and commissioned 29 July 1942, Captain W. A. Heard in command.

Sailing in November 1942, COLUMBIA arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 10 December, and joined in the patrols west of the New Hebrides in support of Guadalcanal campaign. On 29 January 1943, COLUMBIA's group came under heavy air attack. During Battle of Rennel Island that followed followed, COLUMBIA aided in splashing three enemy planes. In June 1943 COLUMBIA carried out a bombardment and mining in coordination of the landings on New Georgia.

COLUMBIA rejoined her division in September 1943, she patroled to intercept Japanese shipping., COLUMBIA's guns pounded targets on Buka and Bonis and in the Shortlands in support of Bougainville landingsr. On the night of 2 November, her force intercepted a Japanese group sailing to attack transports lying off Bougainville. In the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay which, COLUMBIA joined in sinking a Japanese cruiser and a destroyer. She continued to support the Bougainville landings and bombard targets in the Solomons through December.

January 1944, COLUMBIA supported the attack and occupation of Nissan, one of the Green Islands, Early in March, her group swept along the line between Truk and Kavieng in search of enemy shipping. She covered the assault and occupation of Emirau Island. September 1944, COLUMBIA covered the landings in the Palaus, and remained off Peleliu to provide gunfire support until the end of the month.

On 6 October, she escorted the force, which landed on Dinagat, and other islands at the entrance of Leyte Gulf to neutralized the enemy on those islands prior to the invasion of Leyte. COLUMBIA provided naval gunfire support to the main landings on October 20th. In response to the landings the Japanese fleet sailed south to attack American Fleet off Leyte, and on the night of 24 October, its southern force entered Leyte Gulf through Surigao Strait.

The Japanese Southern force was harassed by motor torpedo boats and destroyers, as the attempted to approach the Allied invasion forces in Leyte Gulf. In the last great naval gun action in history COLUMBIA, joined the old Bombardment Group Battle Wagons and lay in wait. In a maneuver, the American ships crossed the Japanese columns T. The Japanese could only bring their forward guns to bear against the broadsides from the all American formations heavy guns. The Japanese lost the battleship YAMASHIRO, and forced the heavily damaged cruiser MOGAMI and other units to retire. Toward dawn, COLUMBIA sped to deliver the final blows, which sank destroyer ASAGUMO, crippled in earlier attacks.

COLUMBIA covered Army landings on Mindoro, and on 14 December lost four of her men when a gun misfired during an air attack. She supported the landings in Lingayen Gulf. On 6 January, a Kamikaze suicide plane crashed close aboard while attempting to hit COLUMBIA . Soon after another Kamikaze struck on her port quarter. The plane and its bomb penetrated two decks before exploding, killing 13 and wounding 44, putting her after turrets out of action, and setting the ship afire. Prompt damage control measures enabled COLUMBIA to complete her bombardment with her two operative turrets, and remain in action to give close support to underwater demolition teams.

On the morning of 9 January, as COLUMBIA was again hit by a kamikaze. The damage knocked out six gun directors and gun mounts. Twenty-four men were killed and 97 wounded, the crew again put out fires, repaired damage, and continued to support the invasion force. Columbia received a Navy Unit Commendation for her crews effort to save the ship and continue their mission.

After repairs, COLUMBIA supported the Australian landings at Balikpapan, Borneo. She then joined TF 95 in conduct sweeps against Japanese shipping in the East China Sea. At the end of the she began transporting back home.

After a port call on the west coast, COLUMBIA arrived at Philadelphia 5 December 1945 for overhaul and service training Naval Reservists until 1 July 1946. She was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Philadelphia 30 November 1946 until sold 18 February 1959.

In addition to the Navy Unit Commendation, COLUMBIA received 10 battle stars for World War II service.