|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN Cleveland-class Light Cruiser 11,744 Tons (standard) 14,131 Tons (maximum) 610' 1" x 66' 4" x 25' 6" 4x3 6"/47 cal Mark 16 guns 6x2 5"/38 cal AA guns 4x4 40mm Bofors AA guns 17 x 20mm cannon 4 x floatplanes 2 x stern catapults  USN April 22, 1943  USN 1943   USN December 1943  USN October 18, 1944 |
Ship History Built by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J. Laid down December 2, 1940 as Cleveland-class Light Cruiser. Launched February 12, 1942 as USS Montpelier (CL-57) named for Montpelier, Vermont sponsored by Mrs. Lesley Sayer Corry, wife of William F. Corry, mayor of Montpelier. Commissioned September 9, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Captain Leighton Wood in command at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Montpelier was initially painted with camouflage pattern Measure 12 (modified). Later, repainted with camouflage pattern Measure 32, Design 11A. During late 1944, repainted with camouflage pattern Measure 32, Design 11A. On October 25, 1942 reported for duty with the Atlantic Fleet and was assigned Rear Adm. Lyal A. Davidson, Commander, Cruiser Division 8 (CruDiv 8) to oversee training for Montpelier’s officers and mostly draftee crew for a shakedown cruise inside Chesapeake Bay. On October 28, 1945 escorted by destroyer USS Davison (DD-618) from Philadelphia to Norfolk. Wartime History On December 17, 1942 departs Norfolk and joins a convoy and transits the Panama Canal then to Nouméa arriving January 18, 1943 where Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill chose Montpelier as the flagship of Cruiser Division 12 (CruDiv 12) with USS Cleveland, USS Columbia and USS Denver. On January 24, 1943 departs with USS Chicago (CA-29) and USS Chenango (CVE-28) with two destroyers for Havannah Harbor off Efaté arriving the next day. On January 27, 1943 departs with a task force including USS Wichita (CA-45), USS Chicago (CA-29), USS Louisville (CA-28), USS Cleveland (CL-55) and USS Columbia (CL-56) with escort carriers USS Chenango (CVE-28) and USS Suwanee (CVE-27) plus eight destroyers on a mission to make a clockwise sweep around Guadalcanal in hopes of intercepting a Japanese "Tokyo Express" run. On January 29, 1943 after sunset, attacked by Japanese bombers during the Battle of Rennell Island and her anti-aircraft gunners claim a G4M1 Betty shot down. On February 21, 1943 Montpelier covers the U.S. landings in the Russell Islands. On March 6, 1943 leads Task Force 68 (TF 68) "Task Force Mike" light cruisers and destroyers for a shore bombardment of Vila on Kolombangara and makes radar contact with two destroyers that are sunk in the Battle of Blackett Strait. During the brief engagement, Montpelier gunfire helps sink one of the destroyers. On June 29, 1943 at 1:30pm departs Purvis Bay with Task Force 68 (TF 68) "Merrill's Marauders" under the command of Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill as Task Group 36.2 (TG 36.2), Task Unit 36.2.1 (TU 36.2.1) including USS Montpelier (CL-57) flagship with Rear Admiral Merrill embarked, USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Columbia (CL-56), USS Denver (CL-58) with four destroyers USS Waller (DD-466), USS Philip (DD-498), USS Renshaw (DD-499) and USS Saufley (DD-465) for a shore bombardment of Ballale Island, Shortland Island and Poporang Island in the Shortland Islands ahead of the U.S. landings on New Georgia. Meanwhile, Task Unit 36.2.2 (TU 36.2.2) light minelayers USS Preble (DM-20), USS Gamble (DM-15), and USS Breese (DM-18) would conduct a minelaying operation off Shortland Harbor. The formation was led by USS Pringle (DD-477) with the minelayers group followed by the cruisers in a column 1,000 yards apart. At 5:45pm USS Waller (DD-466) and USS Renshaw (DD-499) left formation for a bombardment of Vila-Stanmore on Kolombangara after sunset as a diversion. On June 30, 1943 at 12:15am USS Waller (DD-466) and USS Renshaw (DD-499) rejoined the formation. At 12:40am USS Pringle (DD-477) and the three minelayers leave formation and began laying mines. At 1:35am heavy rain began causing poor visibility. At 1:54am commenced firing to starboard in salvo targeting assigned areas on Poporang Island in the Shortland Islands including the seaplane supply dump, heavy anti-aircraft guns and radar station. Due to the rain, visual observation and fire correction was impossible nor could her floatplanes launch but the cruiser's FH radar was used for the 6" guns firing at ranges of 11,000-12,000 yards. At 2:08am ceased fire having expended 796 rounds of 6" H/C shells and 499 rounds of 5" AAC shells that were deemed to cover the target areas. This was the deepest penetration by Allied warships into enemy held territory to date. During the night of July 11‑12, 1943 bombards Munda. For the next four months, patrols the New Georgia area to prevent Japanese troop withdrawals. After a run to Sydney, she joined Task Force 39 (TF 39) as its flagship for the invasion of the Treasury Islands and Bougainville. On November 1, 1943 Montpelier bombards Buka Airfield and Bonis Airfield on the northern tip of Bougainville then again bombarded Poporang and Ballale with USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Columbia (CL-55), USS Denver (CL-58) and eight destroyers. On November 2, 1943 in the early morning during the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay intercepts and turns back a Japanese force of two heavy and two light cruisers and six destroyers, During the battle, Montpelier helps sink an one enemy warship but sustains two hits and nine crew wounded. At dawn retires southward and targeted by Japanese planes and her anti-aircraft gunners claim five shot down. Between February 15-19, 1944, Montpelier covered the amphibious landing on Green Island. In March she hunted shipping south of Truk. On March 20, 1944 participated in the invasion of the Emirau. On May 8, 1944 photographs the shipwreck of Nagatsuki off Kolombangara Island. Montpelier attempts to silence a gun battery on Poporang Island but a shell hit her anchor chain causing the anchor to drop into the sea and forces Montpelier to withdraw. On June 14, 1944 she participated in the bombardment of Saipan. During June 19-21, 1944 participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea as part of Task Force 58 (TF 58). Afterwards, returns to the Mariana Islands and continues shore bombardment of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. On August 2, 1944 departs the Mariana Islands and crosses the Pacific bound for California. On August 22, 1944 arrives at Mare Naval Yard at Mare Island for overhaul until October 25, 1944. Philippines On November 25, 1944 returns to the Pacific and joins a task group off Leyte Gulf. On November 27, 1944 while on patrol off Leyte, slightly damaged by a Japanese kamikaze plane and fought off numerous others, shooting down four other kamikazes. On December 12 ,1944 Montpelier provides cover for the U.S. invasion of Mindoro. During January 1945 defends against Japanese kamikaze planes attacking the U.S. invasion force bound for Lingayen Gulf. In February 1944, supports operations off Mariveles Harbor, Corregidor and Palawan. During April 14-23, 1945 supports U.S. landings on Mindanao. From Subic Bay, departs for Brunei Bay arriving June 9, 1945. Between June 17, 1945 until July 2, 1945, operates off Balikpapan, providing support for minesweepers, underwater demolition teams, and amphibious forces then supports the Australian Army landing. During late July 1945 and early August 1945, Montpelier made three anti-shipping sweeps in the East China Sea. Postwar When hostilities ended, she anchored off Wakayama, Japan, and helped speed up the evacuation of Allied prisoners. After an inspection of Japanese ships, part of her crew went ashore to view the ruins of Hiroshima. On October 18, 1945 she covered the landing of occupation forces at Matsuyama. Montpelier departed from Hiro Wan and Japanese waters 15 November for the East Coast,. From the Pacific, the Montpelier sailed first for Hawaii, then to San Diego, California, before heading south to pass through the Panama Canal then proceeded to New York. She reported for duty with the Atlantic Fleet 11 December and 1 July 1946 reported for duty with the 16th Fleet. Montpelier decommissioned and berthed in reserve at Philadelphia 24 January 1947. On March 1, 1959 struck from the Naval Register. Fate On January 22, 1960 sold for scrap to Bethlehem Steel Co. and broken up for scrap metal. Awards Montpelier earned 13 battle stars for her World War II service. Display The ship's bell with "U.S.S. Montpelier 1942" is displayed at the U.S.S. Montpelier Museum located in the second floor of the State Capital building in Montpelier, Vermont. References NARA USS Montpelier Action Report, Bombardment of Poporang Island, night of June 29-30, 1943 Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Montpelier II (CL-57) 1942–1959 NavSource - USS Montpelier (CL-57) U.S.S. Montpelier Museum located in the second floor of the State Capital building in Montpelier, Vermont Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
