Newport News (CA 148) - Naval Cruise Book

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On March 6, 1947 USS NEWPORT NEWS was christened Queen of the Sean 8

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l COMCRUDESFLOT 3 Thomas Ioseph Rudden, Ir., was born in Newark, New Iersey, on 19 August 1915. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1935, graduated with the class of 1939, com- missioned Ensign and subsequently advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on 10 August 1965. Following graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to the USS CALIFORNIA. The CALIFORNIA was badly damaged and sank in 16 feet of mud, when the Iapanese attacked Pearl Harbor. By April of 1942, she was pumped, raised and in drydock for repair. He was awarded a letter of Commendation with Ribbon for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Serving aboard the USS CLEVELAND he saw action in: Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Green Island, Siapan, Tinian, Guam and Palau. For his services he was awarded a bronze star on his Commendation Ribbon. From February 1947 until October 1952 he served as Executive Officer of the USS GURKE and Commanding Officer ofthe USS MCCOOK and CASSIN YOUNG, he became the Commanding Officer of the USS GALVES- TON in 1963. His selection to the rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the President and was promoted 1 November, 1965. On 19 Ianuary 1968, Rear Admiral Rudden became Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla THREE. 7

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BIRTH OF RECIN A MARIS Racing to aid the victims of a stricken city, serving as flagship during a shipping quarantine, sharing in the preservation of peace in cold war crises, and demonstrat- ing her awesome firepower in combat are vivid entries in the log of the World,s Largest Heavy Cruiser, USS NEWPORT NEWS. Now in her 21st year of service, the 20,950 ton NEW- PORT NEWS bears the proud name of the city in which she was built. She is also the last of 18 cruisers con- structed by Newport News shipbuilders between 1902 and 1949. Her first keel plates were lowered into Shipway 11 signaling start of construction on October 1, 1945. Seven- teen months later, the 71636 foot vessel was christened in a ceremony witnessed by 20,000 people, including resi- dents of the namesakes city and employees of the com- an . P Cyommissioned as a unit of the SALEM class on an uary 29, 1949, the USS NEWPORT NEWS has fashioned a career of indefatigable service to her nation in both war and peace. Today her chief role is support of operations directed by the Commander of the Seventh Fleet. She can direct her guns at inland targets, provide gunfire support for Marines ashore, or back up task force groups and other ships in fleet operations. The armament of the heavy cruiser, featuring the fastest firing major caliber guns in the world, has been proven repeatedly. It includes three turrets, each housing three rapid-fire, eight-inch 55 caliber guns. Secondary and anti-aircraft batteries are composed of 12 dual- purpose, five-inch 38 caliber guns and four three inch 50 caliber rapid-fire guns.