Light Cruiser USS Brooklyn
This is the USS Brooklyn, CL-40 with Palisades Park in the background, as she cruises along the Hudson River near New York City. My Dad was an Electricians Mate, First Class, on this vessel.
The Brooklyn departed from Norfolk for the Mediterranean on 24 October 1942. My 18 month old brother, Billy, and Mom were in Norfolk to give Dad a send-off. Mom and Billy then took the train back to California, where I was born about 9 months, or so, afterward. Dad never met me until I was 18 months old, since he and the Brooklyn were engaging the Axis in the Med. Rommel was there, Montgomery was there, Patton was there and the USS Brooklyn’s 5 and 6 inch guns were there helping the Allies to victory.
2 Responses to “Light Cruiser USS Brooklyn”
JimB on 14 Feb 2009 at 0722 #
Awesome. Folks forget about the Navy in the Med during WWII.
Minstrel on 14 Feb 2009 at 0757 #
Thanks, JimB.
Dad and the Brooklyn steamed from Casablanca for the east coast 17 November 1942. Between January and July 1943 (when I was born) she made three convoy escort voyages between the east coast and Casablanca and then steamed to the Mediterranean where she carried out screening and fire support duties during the invasion of Sicily.
On 15 August 1944 Brooklyn furnished part of the heavy naval gunfire which preceded the landing of Allied troops on the coast of southern France. She remained on duty in the Mediterranean until 21 November 1944 when she departed Sicily for New York, arriving 30 November.
It’s a rich history and, yes, forgotten by most.