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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS ALASKA (CB 1)


       

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Uniform - Bravo - Delta

CLASS - ALASKA
Displacement 27,000 Tons, Dimensions, 808' 6" (oa) x 90' 9" x 31' 9" (Max)
Armament 9 x 12"/50 12 x 5/38AA, 56 x 40mm 34 x 20mm, 4 AC
Armor, 9" Belt, 12 4/5" Turrets, 1 2/5" +4" +5/8" Decks, 10 3/5" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 150,000 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1517.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 17 DEC 1941 at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, NJ
Launched 15 AUG 1943
Commissioned 17 JUN 1944
Decommissioned 17 FEB 1947
Stricken 01 JUN 1960
Fate: Sold for scrap to Lipsett Division of Luria Brothers, NY, NY on 30 JUN 1960

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon - American Campaign Medal
Second Row - Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (3) - World War II Victory Medal - World War II Occupation Medal w/Asia clasp

Click On Image For Full Size Image Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Alaska 120k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed during launching at the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey, on 15 August 1943.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 57215.

USNHC
Alaska
04020129
480k

Very nice photo of the Alaska just after sliding down the ways at the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey, on 15 August 1943.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

David Buell
Alaska
040201com1
59k Front cover of the commissioning program. Ron Reeves
Alaska
040201com2
59k Back cover of the commissioning program.  
Alaska 156k As built, Starboard bow overhead. USN
Salem
04020128
134k Starboard side view, WWII era, location unknown. David Buell
Alaska
04020144
945k

Starboard side view at anchor, date and location unknown.

U.S. Navy photo, National Archives.

David Buell
Alaska
04020147
607k Starboard side view while underway, date and location unknown. Possibly during sea trials due to the apparent speed and many men on deck. David Buell
Alaska
04020139
561k

Port side view while underway, possibly soon after commissioning.

National Archives photo.

David Buell
Alaska
04020140
631k

Port bow view while at anchor, possibly soon after commissioning.

National Archives photo.

David Buell
Alaska
04020141
484k

Port side view while at anchor, possibly soon after commissioning.

National Archives photo.

David Buell
Alaska
04020142
610k

Port side view while underway, possibly soon after commissioning.

National Archives photo.

David Buell
Alaska
04020131
39k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. Port bow view.

The same photo at a higher resolution 04020131a (968k).

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020132
36k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. Forward turret view.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020135
44k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. Port midships view.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020133
45k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. Aft Turret view.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020138
44k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. Aft quarter view.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020105
111k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. These are good detail shots of the secondary, light A.A. weapon arrangement, aircraft handling facilities, and "fast battleship" type of foremast. This tower foremast coupled with the new 12"/50 caliber main armament helped give them the name "Battlecruiser", while in reality they were large heavy cruisers built without treaty limitations on displacement and armament.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020106
134k

Shown here being inclined at Camden, New Jersey on 5 June 1944, twelve days before her official commissioning. These are good detail shots of the secondary, light A.A. weapon arrangement, aircraft handling facilities, and "fast battleship" type of foremast. This tower foremast coupled with the new 12"/50 caliber main armament helped give them the name "Battlecruiser", while in reality they were large heavy cruisers built without treaty limitations on displacement and armament.

New York Shipbuilding Corporation Photo.

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020130
39k

Looking aft from the bow. Note that all the deck equipment is covered with canvas.

The same photo at a higher resolution 04020130a (1.3mb).

Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020134
43k Looking aft down the port side from forward. Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020136
27k Looking forward up starboard side from aft. Pieter Bakels
Alaska
04020137
37k 40mm Gun Tubs, port side aft. Pieter Bakels
Alaska 22k Starboard bow view on 05 July 1944 (dated by Robert Hurst). USN
Alaska 89k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed on 30 July 1944 off the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 57214.

USNHC
Alaska 92k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed off the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 30 July 1944.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 92282.

USNHC
Alaska 148k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed from the air on 8 August 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97128.

USNHC
Alaska 126k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed from USS Missouri (BB 63) off the U.S. East coast during their shakedown cruise together in August 1944. Note her Measure 32 camouflage.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-5580.

National Archives
BB-63 Missouri 111

Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia - Warships at the Base piers, circa August 1944. Among them are: USS Missouri (BB 63), the largest ship; USS Alaska (CB 1), on the other side of the pier; USS Croatan (CVE 25), and destroyers of the Fletcher and "Four-Pipe, Flush-Deck" classes at the next pier.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-190547.

National Archives
Alaska 75k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed in the summer or fall of 1944, probably in the Hampton Roads area, Virginia. Copied from an original print included in the Fifth Naval District's "War Diary of Open Intelligence Branch of District Intelligence Office".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 97268.

USNHC
Alaska 117k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed underway on 11 September 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97127.

USNHC
Alaska 74k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed off the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 12 November 1944.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 57213.

USNHC
Alaska 45k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed on 13 November 1944 after receiving post-shakedown alterations.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 57212.

USNHC
Alaska 102k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Photographed from the air on 13 November 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97126.

USNHC
Alaska
04020149
129k Moored, location unknown, probably 1945 as shw no longer is no longer in Camo. David Buell
Alaska
04020145
572k

Starboard side view while underway, 1945, location unknown.

U.S. Navy photo, National Archives.

David Buell
Alaska 151k

USS Alaska (CB 1) A detailed view of the forward superstructure and the aircraft catapults, circa 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97129.

USNHC
Alaska 119k

USS Alaska (CB 1) Aerial view probably taken in the Pacific in 1945.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 67516.

USNHC
Salem
040201p01
567k

A painting of USS Alaska (CB 1) arriving in San Francisco Bay, January 1945 by artist Wayne Scarpaci.

From the collection of Reginald Franklyn USMC, USS Alaska (CB 1) 1944-1946.

Wayne Scarpaci
Alaska 73k USS Alaska (CB 1) Overhead view of the Alaska as seen on 13 January 1945. This overhead photo shows her traditional cruiser layout. By the time she entered service in late 1944, all the cruisers, that she was built to defeat, were gone. She and her sister, the USS Guam (CB 2), served the carrier task forces well, lending their powerful anti-aircraft defenses and high speeds to protect the fleet. USN
Alaska 112k USS Alaska (CB 1) - Marines atop their 5"/38 gun mount during firing practice, circa February 1945. To the left as lookout is Corporal Osborne Cheek, and in the local control position as mount captain is Platoon Sergeant George W. Ewell. Note the local control ring sight and the binoculars and sound powered telephones worn by Ewell.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-3037.

National Archives
Alaska 92k
USS Alaska (CB 1) firing 5"/38 guns on 5 February 1945, one day before the ship arrived at Ulithi and joined the fast carrier task force. Note "flak" bursts in the left distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-3031.

National Archives
Alaska
04020146
112k As seen from USS Taluga (AO 62), March 1945. From the collection of Ensign Lloyd LaVack. Tommy Trampp
Alaska 104k USS Alaska (CB 1) - Gunner's Mate First Class Carrick N. Thomas passing a clip of four 40mm rounds through a hatch in a 40mm handling room. Photographed on 6 March 1945, during the Iwo Jima operation.
Note the green, red, and white color coding on the projectiles, the room's white paint, and the red battle lamp.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-3733.

National Archives
Alaska 118k USS Alaska (CB 1) - Crew of a 40mm quad antiaircraft machine gun mount loading clips into the loaders of the left pair of guns. Taken on 6 March 1945, during the Iwo Jima operation. The man at the right is Seaman Second Class Richard Roberts, and the gun captain (in the phone talker's helmet) is Gunner's Mate Second Class Glenn F. Groff.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-3740.

National Archives
Alaska 151k USS Alaska (CB 1) - One of the ship's Curtiss SC-1 floatplanes taxiing up to the landing mat streamed alongside, to be picked up by the aircraft crane. Photographed on 6 March 1945 during the Iwo Jima operation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-K-3725.

USNHC
Alaska 109k USS Alaska (CB 1) - Recovering a Curtiss SC-1 floatplane on 6 March 1945, during the Iwo Jima operation. The aircraft is awaiting pickup by the ship's crane after taxiing onto a landing mat. The pilot was Lieutenant Jess R. Faulconer, Jr., USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-K-3747.

National Archives
Alaska
040201p02
567k

A painting of USS Alaska (CB 1) protecting the burning USS Franklin (CV 13) on 19 Mar 1945 of the coast of Japan. In the background are (L-R) USS Guam (CB 2), USS Franklin (CV 13), and USS Santa Fe (CL 60). The painting is by artist Wayne Scarpaci.

From the collection of Charlie St. George, USS Alaska (CB 1) 1944-1946.

Wayne Scarpaci
Alaska 76k USS Alaska (CB 1) 16 Apri, 1945 photo that shows the Alaska cruising in company with the USS Intrepid (CV 11). The Intrepid is smoking from an earlier kamikaze strike and is getting ready to retire back to Ulithi for repairs. The plane is a Helldiver returning to the USS Bennington (CV 20). USN
Alaska 77k USS Alaska (CB 1) seen from the USS Enterprise (CV 6) as they both maneuver to enter Ulithi atoll before the invasion of Okinawa. USN
Alaska
04020143
265k

Starboard quarter view while moored, post war, possibly Bayonne, NJ. while undergoing deactivation.

National Archives photo.

David Buell
Alaska
04020148
161k Guam (left) and Alaska (right) moored in Bayonne, NJ, date unknown. David Buell
Alaska
04020150
367k ex-Alaska (CB 1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961.. Daniel Hacker
Alaska
04020151
89k ex-Alaska (CB 1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961.. Daniel Hacker
Alaska
04020152
98k ex-Alaska (CB 1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961. Daniel Hacker
Alaska
04020153
103k ex-Alaska (CB 1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961. Daniel Hacker
Alaska
04020154
132k ex-Alaska (CB 1) (left) and ex-Washington (BB 56) (right) awaiting the cutting torch in Newark NJ 30 June 1961. Daniel Hacker
Alaska
04020126
246k USS Alaska (CB 1) (left) and USS Washington (BB 56) (right) awaiting the cutting torch in Newark NJ in 1961. David Buell
Alaska
04020127
242k USS Alaska (CB 1) (Foreground) and USS Washington (BB 56) (rear) awaiting the cutting torch in Newark NJ in 1961. David Buell

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Fischler, Peter Kalsh, CAPT 1918 RADM 06/17/44 - 01/27/45
Noble, Kenneth Hill, CAPT   RADM 01/27/45 - 12/18/45
Grant, James Donald Livingston, CDR     12/18/45 - 04/46
Hoffman, Edward Earle, CDR     04/46 - 08/18/46
Wilcox, George W., CDR     08/18/46 - 1947
Deitz Sr., James S., CDR     1947 - 02/17/47

(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)


USS ALASKA (CB 1) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.


Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Mr. Charles S St George
Address: 25 Leon Pl, Fredonia, NY, 14063-1313
Phone: 716-672-4432

Note About Contacts

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.
USS Alaska (CB 1) website.

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