Chicago spent Christmas 1970 in Hong Kong and celebrated the new year in Subic Bay. This, and later tests, examined guidance improvements and experimented with missile replenishment at sea. On 5 March, during exercises off southern California, the cruiser also earned her eleventh consecutive Missile "E". By hanging one plane over the side with the crane the crew was still able to launch a Seahawk from the catapult for spotting services. Leaving Hong Kong on 31 August, Chicago joined rendezvous with Enterprise (CVN-65) for a war-at-sea exercise lasting until 8 September, before returning to Subic for a lengthy upkeep period. Find USS Chicago (CG-11) unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. For the Navy's official account . The day of May 10, 1972 I was stationed on the USS Chicago (code: Red Crown) that day. In both April and May Chicago conducted experimental Talos missile tests against surface targets to demonstrate missile versatility. During this refit Chicago received new digital fire control systems, replacing the old analog computers, installed new missile launchers, and expanded her electronics equipment. The law defines service connection to veterans who served in the Blue Water Navy. The Gulf of Tonkin AffairIllusion and Reality (Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., 1969), p. 80. Arriving in Japan on 19 November the ship visited Yokosuka before departing for home on 27 November. The USS CHICAGO (CG-11), a Baltimore class cruiser, was commissioned on 10 JAN 1945 as CA-135. After a brief diversion to the Pacific Missile Range, to conduct experimental aircraft tracking and missile firings, the cruiser entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard on 1 July for a regular repair period followed by machinery and electronics sea trials and inspections for the remainder of 1968. A number of propulsion and electronic service inspections were also conducted. Sgt. She remained there until 28 March as flagship of the Yangtze Patrol Force and then sailed to Sasebo, Japan, where she became flagship of Naval Support Force, Japanese Empire Waters. During the first week of October the warship participated in another anti-air exercise, this time shooting down two high-speed, high-altitude drones with Talos and Tartar missiles. Designed to provide long-range air, surface, and sub-surface defense for task forces, Chicago recommissioned at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard on 2 May 1964 and was assigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Nine, Pacific Fleet. After departing Pearl Harbor on 18 October, the warship assisted in vectoring aircraft to the site of a Navy F-8 Crusader crash site, successfully rescuing the pilot. USS Chicago,ww2 cruiser,sunk in 1943. In April and May, Chicago's air intercept controllers directed Navy and Air Force aircraft on CAP missions that were credited with 14 MiGs shot down. Moved to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the heavy cruiser was placed out of commission in reserve on 6 June 1947. After upkeep at Yokosuka, a visit to Hong Kong, and a typhoon evasion, the cruiser returned to the Gulf of Tonkin on 1 August to continue radar surveillance, electronic countermeasures, and missile screen duties. Repainting the exterior, and interior improvements lasted until 27 September, when the cruiser got underway for home. From 9 September to 24 October, the cruiser underwent a major restricted availability as repairs were conducted to fuel tanks, boiler casings, and the main propulsion plant. After refueling at San Juan on 11 May the ships spent three days conducting gunnery practice before departing for Colon, Canal Zone, on 15 May. Chicago then departed the area for San Francisco for alterations, receiving upgraded Tartar missile systems and improved electronics. After arrival at Subic Bay on 15 June, the ship prepared for an extended cruise with Fanning (DE-1076), George K. MacKenzie (DD-836), and the oiler Passumpsic (AO-107). After a visit to Vancouver the following week, Chicago returned to San Diego to begin overhaul preparations. Departing Subic Bay on 25 June the squadron passed through the Straits of Molocca on 2 July and arrived at Karachi, Pakistan, six days later. After the holidays the cruiser moved to Phattaya Bay, Thailand on 30 December. She remained there until 28 March as flagship of the Yangtze Patrol, and then sailed to Sasebo, Japan, where she became flagship of Naval Support Force, Japanese Empire Waters. Returning to Subic Bay for two weeks of upkeep, the cruiser sailed for Hong Kong on 22 August. In response to the shooting down of an EC-121 by North Korean fighters on 14 April, that killed all 31 personnel on board, the Task Force patrolled the Sea of Japan during the crisis that followed. 5th Vietnam Deployment. Twelve days later the ship began additional Search and Rescue (SAR) duty in the Gulf. This page contains Command History Reports from ships that served in the Vietnam War. Local operations continued in the spring, including more missile evaluation tests through February 1966. Through 1965 CHICAGO prepared to return to full duty status, undergoing numerous sea trials and tests of new weapons systems. The cruiser underwent ten days of upkeep and type training at Subic Bay before assuming duties as PIRAZ ship on 11 March. Free shipping. Chicago steamed to Singapore, for a short rest period, before returning to the PIRAZ station from 13 January until 28 January, when following the seizure of Pueblo by North Korea, the cruiser steamed to the Sea of Japan to help coordinate air activities for the carriers of Task Group 70.6 as part of Operation Formation Star. Chicago left PIRAZ station on 28 December to celebrate the new year in Singapore, and briefly crossed the equator on 4 January for a line-crossing ceremony at 10530 east. On 15 May 1973, Chicago began carrying out six months of sea trials, tests, and training evolutions. After a month long pre-deployment period the cruiser departed 30 May for the cruiser's final cruise to the Western Pacific. Chicago departed Yokosuka on 17 November and resumed PIRAZ station from 20 November to 19 December. After a cruise to Hawaii from 19 October to 3 November, during which the cruiser practiced tactical data sharing training with Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) and Mahan (DLG-11), the ship finished out the year conducting tests and exercises in the San Diego area. In January 1972, CHICAGO fired four RIM-8H . Enroute to Sasebo, via Subic Bay, the cruiser stopped at the Okinawa Missile Range to fire two more practice missiles on 18 November. USS Chicago (CA-136/ CG-11) was a Baltimore class heavy cruiser that entered service just in time to take part in the final bombardment of Japan during the Second World War, and that was later converted into a guided-missile cruiser. After a weekend stop at Pearl Harbor, where the passengers were debarked, the ship stopped at Guam and Subic Bay before arriving in the Gulf of Tonkin PIRAZ station on 6 December. Following readiness inspections, the cruiser departed 6 June for an Alaskan cruise with Commander First Fleet. We will add more reports to this page as they become available. Underway on 13 July Chicago and her escorts began a month long at sea period, "showing the flag" in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, before arriving at Mombassa, Kenya, on 9 August. Please note that most of our records exist in paper format only, and not everything has been digitized. After a leave and upkeep period, followed by a tender availability that installed Zuni chaff dispensers, the cruiser finished out the year conducting routine inspections, local training exercises, and operations at the missile test range. Underway on 24 January 1946, the cruiser arrived in Shanghai on 18 February for occupation duty. Arriving home on 8 July the ship underwent a local availability before entering Long Beach Naval Shipyard on 25 August for a Complex Overhaul. Assigned to tender availability on 1 September, the ship received boiler and other repairs and inspections from Isle Royale (AD-29) before departing for another WestPac deployment on 11 October. On 7 February, as the crisis eased, Chicago departed to resume PIRAZ duties in the Gulf of Tonkin. In April, the warship participated in Exercise "Gray Ghost," where the cruiser operated as tactical flagship for the anti-air warfare commander, Rear Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. On 12 May 1966, Chicago got underway for her first Vietnam deployment. On 14 July, in company with the battleships South Dakota, Indiana, Massachusetts, cruiser Quincy, and nine destroyers of Rear Admiral Shafroth's bombardment unit, Chicago closed northern Honsh to bombard the Kamaishi industrial area. Sailing with an amphibious group the cruiser conducted multi-ship exercises, both before and after Pearl Harbor, and arrived at Yokosuka on 3 May. Naval Base Subic Bay on 12 June. Following two more PIRAZ cruises, Chicago departed Subic Bay on 1 May for home. [10] Chicago came under fire from North Vietnamese coastal artillery batteries, but was able to maintain missile envelope coverage while moving out of gun range before suffering any damage. Moved to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard the heavy cruiser was placed out of commission in reserve on 6 June 1947. There, along with other Seventh Fleet ships, she helped rescue Vietnamese refugees fleeing the mainland, picking up five herself. From: Commanding Officer, USS BIDDLE (DLG-34) To: Director of Naval History (OP-09B9), Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D .C. Starting in January 1967, the cruiser settled into the busy routine of training, exercises, and inspections. The ship was fairly new, having been commissioned in December 1963. The cruiser monitored all aircraft flying over the gulf, directed friendly CAP, and, despite intense electronic jamming, coordinated fighter escorts during the mid-April B-52 Stratofortress raids against the North Vietnamese. Several fleet exercises, two missile firing tests, and inspections filled the months until 12 June 1970 when the cruiser underwent a two week repair and alteration period. New equipment and combat coordination procedures were also implemented, extending the cruiser's operational readiness date to 14 December. After the holidays, the cruiser moved to Phattaya Bay, Thailand on 30 December. In response to the shooting down of a Navy EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft by North Korean fighters on 14 April, that killed all 31 personnel on board, the Task Force patrolled the Sea of Japan during the crisis that followed. After a month of surveillance and directing air strikes against Hai Phong harbor traffic, Chicago finally departed for San Diego on 21 June 1972. Pearl Harbor Welcomes USS Chicago September 28, 2017 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM (NNS) The Pearl Harbor submarine community welcomed the crew and. The escort was straddled and hit by 5" shell fire, began smoking, and retired into the harbor. In both April and May, Chicago conducted experimental Talos missile tests against surface targets to demonstrate missile versatility. For the next six days, the cruiser screened the carriers as they launched continuous strikes against the Japanese Home Islands, until 15 August and the Japanese armistice. The cruiser was also awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for Vietnam Service, the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy, and her seventh consecutive "E" for excellence in missilery. On 4 January 1965 the cruiser shifted to Long Beach to begin a series of shock tests off San Clemente Island. Arriving home on 14 December, the ship remained in port for leave, repairs, and upkeep into March 1975. 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