Saint Paul (CA 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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On February 17, 1945, over a quarter of a million miles ago, the U.S.S. SAINT PAUL 'ma- iestically slipped down the ways at the Beth- lehem Steel Corporation in Quincy, Massachu- setts and began her long and eventful career. With only a short shakedown cruise in the Atlantic, the SAINT PAUL has spent 'most of its life cruisingnthe Pacific. During these years, she was active in the last months of World War II. ln her small though important part in the war against the Rising Star, the SAINT PAUL gained the distinction of being the last maior U. S. Naval vessel to fire on the home islands of Japan. In the peacetime years that followed World War ll the SAINT PAUL was one of the few cruisers chosen to stay in commission and to carry the Stars and Stripes throughout the Pacific. During this time, the SAINT PAUL kept in fighting trim, ready for any emergency. At the outbreak of-the Korean conflict, which caught her in the middle of a midshipman cruise, she was ready to go. After serving with the Formos- an Patrol as flagship of Cruiser Division ONE, she entered directly into the fight. For seven consecutive months the FlGHTING SAlNT steamed from the borders of Manchuria to the beaches of Inchon, dealing her cards of death and destruction to the Communist aggressors. The Red cities of Chongiin, Songiin, Hungnam, Wonsan, and many others, felt the wrath of her mighty eight and five inch batteries. Ranking alongside DUNKIRK as one of the greatest sea evacuations of all times, the HUNG- NAM EVACUATION on Christmas Eve of 1950 could notnhave been possible without the con- stant support of heavies like the SAINT PAUL. She poured eight and five inch shells into the onrushing Reds for 12 days, holding them at bay until the last UN ship had left the harbor. ' It was at Inchon that her nickname, THE FIGHTING SAlNT, became a watchword with the UN Forces while storming the city to regain its control from the enemy. On a small island in Inchon Harbor-Fusshi-To-she discovered a small group of orphans barely existing on their meager supply of food and clothing. One hun- dred percent cooperation was volunteered by the men of the SAINT PAUL and work was im- mediately begun to relieve the miseries and destitution of these victims of aggression. The FIGHTlNG SAINT had been in Korean waters for over nine months when, in May 1951, she returned to her home port of Long Beach, California. Having travelled 34,441 miles and fired a totalof 27,616 rounds of eight and five inch ammunition against the enemy, she, was due for a well-earned rest. Men went on leave, men went on liberty, but there was still work for those remaining aboard. Only about two weeks were spent in Long Beach before the SAINT PAUL cast off for San Francisco and an extensive overhaul period. After nearly four months in the shipyard at Hunter's Point, she returned to her home port before beginning the grueling weeks of Under- way Training in preparation for the many un- known tasks which lay ahead. ,

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5 I W T -F N REAR ADMIRAL EARL E. STONE, USN COMMANDER, CRUISER DIVISION ONE I Admiral Stone was born December 2, 1895 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and at- tended schools there through the first year of the University of Wisconsin. He was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1914, and received his commission in June, 1918. During his career he has served in the destroyers LONG and AYLIV- IN, the cruisers CLEVELAND, CINCINNATI and SALT LAKE CITY, the battleships NEW MEXICO, TEXAS, PENNSYLVANIA, and in the WISCONSIN as that ship's first commanding officer. The Admiral has also served in the Office of the Chief 1 of Naval Operations, with the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet during World War Il, and as Chief of Naval Communications. He took command of Cruiser Division ONE on 16 August 1951. In addition to the Legion of Merit with a Gold Star, Rear Admiral Stone has re- ceived the Navy Unit Commendation, the Victory Medal, Escort Clasp, and is en- 1.- titled to the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal It, with five engagement stars the World War ll Victory Medal and the Philippine A if H? ' ' I 0 v I o o n , A Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star. yy I j fff I