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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS HOUSTON (CL/CA 30)

CLASS - NORTHAMPTON

     

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Quebec - Foxtrot
(Provided by USS Houston survivor RM2c David Flynn via Donald Kehn)


Displacement 9,300 Tons, Dimensions, 600' 3" (oa) x 66' 1" x 23' (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 4 x 5"/25, 6 x 21" tt. 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 3 3/4" Belt, 2 1/2 Turrets, 1" Deck, 1 1/4 Conning Tower.
Machinery, 107,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.7 Knots, Crew 621.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 01 MAY 1928 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA
Launched 07 SEP 1929
Commissioned 17 JUN 1930
Redesignated CA 30 01 JUL 1931
Fate: Sunk by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes during the Battle of Sunda Strait, 01 MAR 1942


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon
Second Row - Navy Presidential Unit Citation - Yangtze Service Medal - Navy China Service Medal
Third Row - American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
Fourth Row - World War II Victory Medal - Philippine Presidential Unit Citation - Philippine Defense Medal


In Memorium:

In the Second Book of Shmuel (Samuel), 22nd chapter, 5th through the 19th verses, translated from the original in Hebrew and published by the Koren Publishers of Jerusalem, Israel, can perhaps aptly describe the fate of the crew and all other U.S. sailors who died defending their county:

"When the waves of death compassed me / the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; / the bonds of She'ol encircled me; / the snares of death took me by surprise; / in my distress I called upon the Lord, / and cried to my G-D: / and he heard my voice out of his temple, / and my cry entered into his ears. / Then the earth shook and trembled; /the foundations of heaven moved / and shook because of his anger /...the heavy mass of waters, and thick clouds of the skies /... And the channels of the sea appeared, / the foundations of the world were laid bare, / at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast at the breath of his nostrils. / He sent from above, he took me; / he drew me out of many waters; / he delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. / They surprised me in the day of my calamity: / but the Lord was my stay..."
Dante's Prayer in honor of the memory of the crew, courtesy of Loreena McKennitt via loreenamckennitt.com
Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Houston
0403009
NR SPONSOR AND MAID FOR CEREMONY
Miss Elisazeth Holcombe, left, daughter of former Mayor and Mrs. George F. Holcombe of Houston, will be sponsor at the christening and launching of the Houston (CL 30) at Newport News, Va„ September 7. Miss Mary Ellen Bute, right, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James House Bute of Houston, will be maid of honor. Governor Dan Moody will head the Texas party attending by special Southern Pacific train.
Image and text provided by University of North Texas; Denton, TX.
Photo from Brownsville Herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 25 August 1929, Image 16, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403064
NR FOR TEXAS Left to right. Mavor Monticth of Houston, Texas, Mary Ellen Bute, Governor Harp, Harry Flood Byrd of Virginia, Elizabeth Holcombe, Sponsor, Judge W. O. Huggins, Editor ot a Houston newspaper, and Miss Charlotte Williams, great grand daughter of Colonel Sam Houston, pictured at the launching of U S Navy cruiser Houston (CL 30). A large delegation from Texas witnessed the launching of the $17,000,000 craft. Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.
Photo from New Britain Herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 10 September 1929, Second Section, Image 18, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403041
1.2m Houston (CL 30), preparing to slide down the ways on 7 September 1929 at Newport News. William Baxter
Houston
0403043
2m Houston (CL 30) being launched at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, on 7 September 1929. Michael Mohl
Houston
0403056
140k Houston (CL 30) as launched, September 1929. Colorized photo. Collection of Texas Commandery, US Naval Order. Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston
0403044
1.4m Houston (CL 30) starboard stern, shown after launching at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, on 1 October 1929. Michael Mohl
Houston
0403045
842k Houston (CL 30) starboard bow after launching at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, on 11 October 1929. Michael Mohl
Augusta
0403102
1.38k View of the Augusta's (CA 31) launching, at Newport News Shipbuilding and dry dock Company, Norfolk, Virginia, on 1 February 1930. Note USS Houston (CA 30) in background (upper right) fitting out in the same yard. Photo 80-CF-21338-7 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Houston
0403035
485k Although it is slightly dim, the picture of the flag-raising on HOUSTON (CL 30) at her commissioning ceremony at the Norfolk Navy Yard (location correccton by Brian Baird) on 17 June 1930 is the only one I have ever seen. On the back in green ink--such as used in an official log--is written: "When Old Glory first flew over the HOUSTON". Don Kehn, Jr. Collection Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston
0403039
100k USS Houston (CA 30) pre-war postcard. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston
0403030
928k USS Houston (CA 30) berth at Pearl Harbor Pre-WWII. Darryl Baker
Houston
0403037
288k USS Houston (CA 30) in the Houston Ship Channel, 20 October 1930, on her first visit to her namesake city. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston
0403040
362k Overhead view of Houston at sea, ca. early 1930s. From the Otto Schwarz Collection Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston
0403055
760k

Houston (CA 30) at sea February 1931. From the collection of Texas Commandery, US Naval Order.

USN photo #409986
Don Kehn
Houston
0403023
1.57k Houston at Manila, P. L., 26 February 1931.Photo 80-CF-21337-2 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Houston
0403017
NR Asiatic Fleet’s Flagship Dispatched To War-Torn City
It was the huge map of China which Stanley Hornbeck, head of the Far Eastern division of the state department, is shown bearing to the White House, that President Hoover and other high officials studied at their important conference on the Chincse-Japanese crisis. From this meeting developed orders to send additional troops and marines from Manila to Shanghai for protection of American residents of the Chinese city.
Sailing at the head of six destroyers, the U. S. Cruiser Houston (CA 30) (shown above), flagship of the Asiatic fleet, left Manila for war-stricken Shanghai to aid in protecting American citizens imperiled by Japanese-Chinese conflict. Rear Admiral Montgomery Taylor was aboard. The Houston carries 53 officers and 512 men, with nine eight-inch guns, four five-inch anti-aircraft guns, two triple torpedo tubes, and four aircraft.
Image and text provided by University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA.
Photo from Imperial Valley Press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 16 February 1932, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403031
760k USS Houston (CA 30) shown at Shanghai 4 Fenruary 1932. Darryl Baker
Jason
09021217
101k

USS Jason is off in the left distance as a Vought O2U-3 or O2U-4 Corsair float plane of Scouting Squadron Eleven is catapulted from USS Houston (CA 30), in Far Eastern waters, circa 1931-1932.

US Navy photo # NH 94188 from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, collection of Lieutenant Oscar W. Levy, USN (Supply Corps), (Retired).

Robert Hurst
Houston 144k

USS Houston (CA 30) The ship's starboard 5"/25 guns in action, during anti-aircraft battle practice off Chefoo, China, 1932-33.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 53590.

USNHC
Houston 65k

USS Houston (CA 30) At Tsingtao, China, on 4 July 1933, "dressed overall" for the holiday. She is flying the four-star flag of Admiral Montgomery M. Taylor, Commander in Chief Asiatic Fleet, at her forepeak. Courtesy of Chief Radioman W.R. Lucas, USN (Retired), 1973.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 78368.

USNHC
Houston
0403063
NR Uncle Sam’s bluejackets see more than the ocean. The crew of the cruiser Houston (CA 30) crowds all available space on the deck and gun turrets to be entertained by a troupe of Japanese geisha dancers. The big time was had when the ship called at a Japanese port recently. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 27 August 1933, Image 82, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403047
440k Port bow view while moored, possibly at Long Beach, ca. early 1934. From the collection of Otto Schwarz. Don Kehn Jr.
Houston
0403062
NR Cruiser Houston Carrying President on His Hawaii Cruise
When President Roosevelt boards the cruiser Houston (CA 30) for his long trip to Hawaii he’ll be given quarters and conveniences that befit the Commander in Chief of the Navy. These scenes aboard the Houston show (above, at left) the Presidential bedroom; (below) the combination living-room, dining room-office and the desk at which he will transact business. Just above you see the two boats to be used on the trip. The one at left is for ship to shore conveyance, the other for fishing.
Image and text provided by University of North Texas; Denton, TX.
Photo from Brownsville Herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 26 June 1934, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403003
NR Presidential Ship Begins Long Cruise
Extraordinary view of New York skyline is provided by this photo of Cruiser Houston (CA 30) leaving the harbor for Annapolis to take aboard President Roosevelt for a cruise to Atlantic and Pacific U. S. and foreign ports. Picture was made with infra-red plate by Artist-Photographer Samuel Schulman.
Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC.
Photo from Henderson Daily Dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 28 June 1934, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston 94k

11 July 1934, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was aboard the U.S. cruiser Houston (CA 30) as it transited the Panama Canal en route from Annapolis, Maryland, to Portland, Oregon.  This was the first passage through the canal by a president of the United States while in office.  Military honors were rendered at Miraflores as the warship paused before locking down to the Pacific.  The Houston had embarked Roosevelt and his party at Annapolis on July 1st, proceeding to the canal via Cape Haitien, Mayaguez, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Cartagena.  After a day tour at Balboa on the 12th, the president re-embarked the Houston, and the cruiser got under way at 5:30 p.m. for Portland via Cocos Island and Honolulu.  While in office, President Roosevelt was to make four more visits to Panama, two aboard the Houston in 1935 and 1938 and two aboard the cruiser Tuscaloosa in 1940.  The Houston, launched by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. in 1929, made her final transit of the canal in 1939.  A year later the ship was posted to the Philippines as flagship of the Asiatic Fleet.  Following several combat actions against the Japanese during the first few weeks of World War II, the Houston was lost in the Battle of the Java Sea in late February 1942.  Having battles against far superior forces, the heavy cruiser became one of the most honored ships of the war, winning two battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Photo and narration from the book Ships of The Panama Canal, by James L. Shaw

Michael Mohl
Houston
0403001
NR Where President Will Sleep and Work on Cruise to Hawaii
The Navy cruiser Houston (CA 30), following final touches of overhauling in the Navy Yards at Brooklyn, was prepared for the present trip of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Hawaii. At the left is the private desk and couch in the room which is fitted up as the President’s office. At the right are two of the boats which the President will use. The one on the left is for fishing and the one on the right is the Presidential barge. Center above is the Houston as seen through one of her own life preservers. Below is Capt. Walter B. Woodson of the Houston, who has the responsibility of taking the President on the cruise.(Associated Press Photo)
Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections.
Photo from The Daily Alaska Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 03 July 1934, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403049
1.1m

USS Houston (CA 30) transits the Panama Canal with Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential party on 11 July 1934 en route from Annapolis, Maryland to Portland, Oregon. This was the first passage through the canal by a president of the United States while in office.

U.S. Navy photo. This Image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 140609-N-ZZ999-004

Robert Hurst
Houston
0403024
1.61k Troops standing at attention when President Roosevelt was passing through the Gatun locks. Photo courtesy of Jason Longo via an album from an Army Coast Artilleryman who was stationed at the Panama Canal from 1934-1937. He was stationed near the Gatun Locks, on the Atlantic side.
Houston
0403011
1.66k Crew near the rear turret standing at attention when they passed the national colors Photo courtesy of Jason Longo via an album from an Army Coast Artilleryman who was stationed at the Panama Canal from 1934-1937. He was stationed near the Gatun Locks, on the Atlantic side.
Houston
0403021
177k

Off Cocoanut Island, Hilo, T.H., 25 July 1934.

Photo by Tai Sing Loo.

Robert M. Cieri
Houston
0403007
2.80kAloha Flight, Arrivial of President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the Houston (CA 30) in Honolulu.Record Group 18: Records of the Army Air Forces Series: "Airscapes" of American and Foreign AreasFile Unit: Hawaii - Honolulu
National Archives Identifier:23939161
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Houston
0403054
3.5m
Houston (CA 30) 20 August 1934, arriving in Honolulu Harbor, T.H. with President F.D. Roosevelt onboard. 

National Archives photo #23939159
David Upton
Houston
0403022
151k

Turning in Pearl Harbor, 1934.

Photo by Tai Sing Loo.

Robert M. Cieri
Houston 47k President Roosevelt speaking to Naval Cadets at Pearl Harbor. Probably in 1934. Steve Cardali
Houston 59k President Roosevelt, Secret Service agents and the Captain of Houston (CA 30). Probably in 1934. Steve Cardali
Houston
0403061
1.63kModel of Houston (CA 30). Record Group 19: Records of the Bureau of ShipsSeries: Photographs of U.S. and Foreign Naval Vessels
National Archives Identifier:7577851
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Louisville
0403013
NR PRESIDENT BOARDS CRUISER HOUSTON AT SAN DIEGO
President Roosevelt is shown as he boarded the heavy cruiser Houston (CA 30) at San Diego CA., from which he viewed tactical exercises off the coast. Following the fleet maneuvers, the first to be executed in the presence of a president of the United States, the Houston headed toward Panama on the chief executive’s vacation cruise. (Associated Press Photo)
Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections
Photo from The Daily Alaska Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964,11 October 1935, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston 120k

Houston (CA 30) off San Diego, California, in October 1935, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board. She is flying an admiral's four-star flag at her foremast peak, and the Presidential flag at her mainmast peak.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

USN
Houston
0403046
169k

Houston (CA 30) off San Diego, California, in October 1935, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board. She is flying an admiral's four-star flag at her foremast peak, and the Presidential flag at her mainmast peak.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

John Spivey
Chicago 652k

The USS San Francisco (CA 38) is forward of the USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37) on the left and the Houston (CA 30) is forward of the USS Chicago (CA 29) at Mare Island Navy Yard between the 3rd and 5th of November 1936.

U.S. Navy Photo.

Darryl Baker
Houston
0403028
949k Houston (CA 30) at Mare Island on 10 September 1937. Darryl Baker
Houston
0403015
NRPISCATORIAL PURSUERS
President's Fishing Crew Waits for Order to "Cast Off"
ARCH SCOTT, BILL HOWARD AND JIM RUSSELL (L-R.) Getting Gear Shipshape for Public Angler No. 1 Are Crew Members of Houston (CA 30), Off San Francisco
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 14 July 1938, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403066
NR United States Battle Fleet Is Reviewed by President Roosevelt
This was the scene in San Francisco Bay as President Roosevelt review td the U. S. Fleet at the climax of a busy day that saw him tour the Bay Area, visit Treasure Island, scene of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. In the lower left is the Houston (CA 30), the reviewing ship, steaming past some cf the 66 ships reviewed.
Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections.
Photo from The Daily Alaska Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 26 July 1938, Image 7, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403060
453kPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt with a Shark he Caught on a Cruise on the Houston (CA 30), 1 August 1938.Collection FDR-Photos: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photographs: Series: Photographs of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Identifier:6728537
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Houston
0403058
223k

Houston (CA 30) in the Gatun Locks, Panama Canal, 5 August 1938, with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt bidding farewell to Panama's President F. H. Arosemena before sailing on the cruiser. Roosevelt is in the automobile just to the left of the catapult. The destroyer USS McDougal (DD 358) is in the right background. Panoramic photograph by H. L. Brazeal, FT. Davis, CZ. Donation of Captain J. A. Barker, USN (Ret), 1983.

Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 95257.
Robert Hurst
Houston
0403032
317k Photo caption: "(Ny-14) AT SEA WITH FLEET-----AFTER THE HOUSTON "WENT DOWN "---This photo of the Houston (CA 30), cruiser that carried President Roosevelt to the Caribbean war games, was released today by the Navy Department. Later, Admiral William D. Leahy disclosed that the Houston was theoretically sunk by an "enemy" submarine earlier in the game in the vicinity of the Virgin Islands. This photo was made from the Aircraft Carrier Lexington. (c31720) APWIREPHOTO SEE STORY" Jonathan Eno
Houston
0403033
334k Photo caption: "CTN-I- Charleston S.C. March 3---PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ARRIVES AT CHARLESTON------Naval officers salute their chief as he arrives aboard the cruiser Houston (CA 30) today after viewing the Naval war games in the Caribbean Sea." Jonathan Eno
Houston
0403029
910k Houston (CA 30) circa 1938 location unknown. Darryl Baker
Houston 310k 1939, in the Panama Canal heading for the Pacific. Bruce Constable
Houston
0403036
87k Moored in Hawaii during her time in the so-called "Hawaiian Detachment" (1939). Don Kehn, Jr. Collection via Otto Schwarz Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston
0403051
138k Departing the Lahaina Roads anchorage for her final stateside refit in 1940. She has received her upgraded MK19 directors & extra 5" guns but no tubs for 3"/50 cal or 1.1" mounts. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. Don Kehn, Jr.
Chicago
0402950
104k

The Houston (CA 30) is forward of USS Chicago (CA 29) on 10 September 1940 at Mare Island Navy Yard. USS Ramapo (AO 12) is berthed alongside of USS Houston and the USS William Ward Burrows (AP 6) and the YD 33 (150 ton crane) are alongside of USS Chicago.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Navy Shipyard Ship Files

Tracy White
Houston
0403025
93k

A view of the Mast in the Wardroom.

National Archives, Seattle Branch, Record Group 181.

Tracy White
Chicago 906k

The Houston (CA 30) is forward of USS Chicago (CA 29) on 10 September 1940 at Mare Island Navy Yard. USS Ramapo (AO 12) is berthed alongside of USS Houston and the USS William Ward Burrows (AP 6) and theYD 33 (150 ton crane) are alongside of USS Chicago. In this picture there is a good view of the AA guns added to the Chicago's aft deck house.

U.S. Navy Photo.

Darryl Baker
Houston
0403050
480k relieving USS Augusta (which is in the background) as Asiatic Fleet flagship, November 1940. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. Don Kehn
Houston
0403038
529k Party for crew of Houston (CA 30), 23 November 1940, in the Philippines. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston 92k

Houston (CA 30) In Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, in 1940-41, after her final modifications. Courtesy of Robert I. Martin, 1975.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 81592.

USNHC
Houston
0403052
151k Curtiss SOC-3 "Seagull" floatplanes sitting on the catapults. The ships band on the hanger deck. January 1942, while operating out of Darwin, Australia. David Upton
Houston
0403042
353k

"HOUSTON (CA 30) at Tjilatjap, Java, February 1942, as seen from USS MARBLEHEAD (CL 12). The damage to HOUSTON's aft gunhouse may not appear dramatic, but almost six dozen men were killed & wounded. The armored cover to her turret rangefinder has been blown off in the blast along with the outer doors. Outlines of life-rafts that were destroyed are evident in the paint atop the turret. Over 200 small fragments perforated the side of the gunhouse itself, which led to the fires which gutted the interior and killed most of the turret's gun crew. The turret was already trained out at 30 degrees when the bomb struck, and the damage froze it temporarily in that position."

NARA II photo from Marblehead's Action Reports

Robert C. Stern & Don Kehn, Jr.
Houston 586k

Houston (CA 30) (right center) at Darwin, Australia, probably on 15 or 18 February 1942. The destroyer astern of Houston is the USS Peary (DD 226). Among the ships in the background, to the left, are HMAS Terka and the SS Zealandia. The donor was on board HMAS Tolga, then used as a water carrier for ships in Darwin harbor. Courtesy of Arthur W. Thomas.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 43649.

USNHC/Bruce Constable
Houston
0403048
72k

Looking from the Australian Corvette, HMAS Warrnambool (J 202), towards the Houston (CA 30) (right), with the USS Peary (DD 226) along side in early February, 1942.

Australian War Memorial, Photo #P05303.011

Mike Green
Houston
0403034
297k Japanese propaganda postcard of the sinking of Houston (CA 30) in March 1942. Arnold Putnam
Houston
0403057
97k Wartime Japanese propaganda postcard showing the bombing of Houston (CA 30) and Marblehead (CL 12), 4 February 1942, only ID'd as an Augusta-class and Tromp-class cruiser. Don Kehn
Houston
0403059
1.46kPainting by Joe T. Fleischman of Houston (CA 30) sinking in the battle of Sunda Strait, 1 March 1942. Photo NH 93153 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Houston
0403053
NR Mother Still Hopeful Son on Houston (CA 30) Is Safe
Billy Hutchinson Wrote Her" Nov. 10; Sent Photo Album.
P.S. He wasn't, & died on 7/5/43 POW-80 Kilo Camp, Burma Dysentery.
Image and text provided by Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library.
Photo from Detroit Evening Times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 15 March 1942, FINAL, Image 14, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403074
NR SEVEN FOR ONE
The destroyer escort ship Keith (DE-241) and six others were launched here yesterday in the presence of Secretary of the Navy Knox as a part of the replacement campaign for the cruiser Houston (CA 30). The Houston was sunk bv Jap ships the night of 28 February off St. Nicholas in Sunda Strait, Java.
A.P. Wirephoto.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 22 December 1942, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403014
NR IF JAPS HARM HER SON
Mrs. Eva Feuchack of Jersey City. N. J., is confident that her five other son's in service will avenge their brother. Mrs. Feuchak, pictured with her granddaughter in her Jersey City home, is shown looking at pictures of her six sons who are the service. One son, Steve, a sailor, has been missing since the sinking of the U. S. cruiser Houston (CA 30) in the Battle of the Java Sea. 21 February 1942, and is believed to be a prisoner of the Japanese.
P.S. He was, & died of a heart attack in 1962).
Image and text provided by Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library.
Photo from The Ypsilanti Daily Press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 03 February 1944, Image 8, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403065
NR SURVIVORS OF HOUSTON ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON
LONG BELIEVED DEAD
after the Houston (CA 30) (torpedoed and sunk by the Japs) was lost to our ken in the Pacific, thirteen surviving crew members are shown on their arrival in Washington, D. C., after recently being freed from a Jap prison camp. They are (front, 1. to r.): Comdr. William A. Epstein, Denver, Colo.; Lt. H. S. Hamlin, Orlando, Fla.; Ensign John Hamill, Tulsa, Okla.; Ensign John Nelson, Orange, Tex.; Ensign Charles D. Smith, Memphis, Tenn.; GM 1/C Rollee Yarbro, Marathon, Tex.; Sp. 3/C Cal Back, Mansfield, Tex.; Seaman 1/C Matthew Marinos, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Seaman 1/C Edward Templeman, Santa Crux, Calif.; and Seaman 1/C Eugene Lehnoff, St Louis, Mo. The three men standing in the rear are (1, to r.): Fireman 1/C Valdon S. Roberts of Smiley, Texas; Seaman 1/C William Meissinger of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Charles L. Thomas, whose home is in Seagraves, Texas. International Soundohpto.
Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC.
Photo from The Wilmington Morning Star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 14 September 1945, Image 13, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Houston
0403002
NR Hometown Boy Met President Truman
Chief musician Albert M. Kelly of Independence, Mo., was on hand to lead the ComDesLant Band when it welcomed Independence born President Harry S. Truman through the Caroline Street gates of the Naval Station Friday. Kelly, who has served 20 years in the Navy, lives at 914 South Liberty Street in Independence. A “good Democrat like the rest of his family,” Kelly spent 3 & 1/2 years in a Japanese prison camp in Singapore during World War II following the sinking of his ship, the Cruiser Houston (CA 30). He is also a veteran of nine months of Korean action which included both the Inchon and Wonsan landings. Kelly, who can remember Mr. Truman from away back when, considered it quite an honor to be able to play for the Chief Executive.
Image and text provided by University of Florida.
Photo from The Key West Citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 11 March 1952, Image 8, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Gay, Jesse Bishop, CAPT 1903   06/17/1930 - 11/18/1930
Dawes, Robert Alden, CAPT 1904   11/18/1930 - 01/03/1933
Baggaley, William, CAPT 1905   01/03/1933 - 06/05/1934
Woodson, Walter Browne, RADM 1905 RADM 06/05/1934 - 06/25/1935
Baker, Guy Evans, CAPT 1907   06/25/1935 - 07/16/1937
Barker, George Nathan, CAPT 1907   07/16/1937 - 05/24/1939
Cogswell, Francis, CAPT 1908   05/24/1939 - 09/22/1939
Oldendorf, Jesse Barrett (Oley), CAPT 1909 ADM 10/16/1939 - 08/30/1941
Rooks, Albert Harold, CAPT 1914   08/30/1941 - 03/01/1942

(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)


USS HOUSTON (CL/CA 30) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
CA 30 - CL 81

Contact Name: Kenneth Rogers
Address: 3949 Little John Drive York, PA 17404
Phone: 717-792-9113
E-mail: donnakenr@cs.com


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.
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