Boston (CAG 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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, .. -l S grows and matures in her activities In a time of relative peace BOSTON was born in some of the most critical days of the Pacific War Her record in the island campaigns which led to Japan's ultimate defeat is one of which the nation mav well be proud. She was always pre- pared to fight hard and well. BOSTON also answered well the call to be the world's first guided missile cruiser She came from years with the mothball fleet to be almost completely rebuilt. On her were installed some of the most advanced experimental systems known to any naval service But BOSTON's per- formance quicklv made it certain that these systems were far more than experimental-they were opera- tional and ready for use against any enemy of the United States BOSTON's history for the present commission has marked massive steps forward in naval missile anti-aircraft warfare. Without the fine response of BOSTON to the many and difficult calls given her, the Navy today could not boast of its power- ful and operational fleet of guided missile carriers, cruisers and destroyers BOSTON clearly led and paved the way. USS BOSTON has been a forceful and dynamic member of the forces of the United States Navy She has been an indispensable operational unit of the U S. Atlantic and Sixth Fleets Five times she has served in the Mediterranean Sea as a powerful reminder of of the modern fleet and has well earned the name CAN DO BOSTON freedom's strength. She has, indeed, been a vital unit io I l 55 ff J wi. 17. 21: E . K. ? . .f 2 Q E I ,. -BOSTON anchored near t 'lu F

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seven month deployment. Christmas was spent away from home. The ship performed in an outstanding manner and was a credit to herself and her men. Upon returning in February, 1960, BOSTON entered the Boston Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul period. From February through the middle of July she remain- ed in the shipyard, getting further conversions and modernizations to increase her combat abilities and capabilities. h js Q Upon leaving the shipyard, BOSTON entered a period of intense activity and great responsibility. After having received major alterations in her missile fire-control system, BOSTON was given only two weeks in which to prepare herself for her fourth major deployment to the Mediterranean which was to be preceded by an extensive NATO exercise in the North Atlantic. Follow- ing a major yard overhaul, ships are normally given at least six weeks for shakedown followed by several more weeks of standard operations before they are expected to deploy. Can-do Boston, however, had the benefit of only two short weeks of shakedown in which to prepare all her new equipment for work with the Sixth Fleet. The result was an excellent performance of duty. Returning from the Mediterranean, BOSTON's activity did not let up. She spent six weeks in home port and then moved south for intensive operations in the Caribbean. During that Spring season, there were .three Caribbean cruises in all-each demanding new excellence of BOSTON. And in each case, she gave it. With hardly time to breathe, BOSTON was on a whirl- wind Second Fleet tour-a schedule previously un- heard of. The Caribbean Cruises were followed by a busy summer with midshipmen. BOSTON entered the Boston Naval Shipyard in September. 1961 for minor overhaul and repairs. During this period, she was informed that once again her services would be needed in the Mediterranean. All efforts were then bent toward preparing the ship for deployment. This time, however, no shakedown would be possible. BOSTON returned to the Mediterranean in December, 1961 immediately upon completion of the work in the yard. And once again the can-do spirit prevailed and BOSTON's record with the Sixth Fleet-was outstanding enough to bring praise from many quarters. BOSTON's history since her commissioning in 1943 as CA-69 has been a story of a ship ready for duty at all times. She has ever been prepared to answer the most difficult call-a call that has been made many times from the days of the war through the present. j BOSTON bombarding the coast of Japan in 1945.

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