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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS SALEM (CA 139)


Image courtesy of Al Grazevich


       

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Quebec - Yankee
Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Varsity


Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski
CLASS - DES MOINES
Displacement 17,000 Tons, Dimensions, 716' 6" (oa) x 76' 4" x 26' (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 12 x 5"/38AA, 24 x 3"/50, 24 x 20mm, 4 Aircraft
Armor, 6" Belt, 8" Turrets, 3 1/2" Deck, 6 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 120,000 SHP; G. E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1799.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 04 JUL 1945 by the Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, MA
Launched 25 MAR 1947
Commissioned 14 MAY 1949
Decommissioned 30 JAN 1959
Stricken 1 JUL 1991
Fate: Donated as a Museum ship OCT 1994

Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - World War II Occupation Medal w/Europe clasp - National Defense Service Medal

                                                   
Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Salem
0413942
101k Starboard bow view date and location unknown. This photo appears to be taken either during Sea Trials or just after Commissioning. Note the high waterline indicating that she has not yet taken on ammunition or stores. David Buell
Salem 24k Salem seen here in Oran, North Africa in 1950. © Frank Doherty
Salem 106k

USS Salem (CA 139) At anchor in Palmas Bay, Sardinia, on 19 May 1950, two days after she became flagship of the Sixth Fleet. She is dressed with flags and flies the three-star flag of Commander, Sixth Fleet, from her foremast.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97604.

USNHC
Salem
0413944
124k USS Salem in heavy seas, circa 1951. Steve Singlar
ETCS USNR (Ret)
Salem 108k

USS Salem (CA 139) at Toulon, France, 18 June 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Fred Weiss
Salem 66k

USS Salem (CA 139) moored in the Canal della Guidecca, during a visit to Venice, Italy, on 23 August 1951. Salem was then flagship of the Sixth Fleet. Note decorated awning rigged forward, probably for entertaining visiting dignitaries.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-12025.

Scott Dyben/National Archives
Baltimore 112k USS Salem (CA 139) at anchor in Naples, Italy, as seen from USS Baltimore (CA 68) in 1952. George Panos
Ex QMS 2/C
Baltimore 129k USS Columbus (CA 74) (left) and USS Salem (CA 139) (right), as seen from USS Baltimore (CA 68) in 1952. George Panos
Ex QMS 2/C
Baltimore   USS Coral Sea (CVB 43) and USS Salem (CA 139) during Med. exercises, 1952. Note helo between Coral Sea and Salem. George Panos
Ex QMS 2/C
Salem 51k

USS Salem (CA 139) Underway in the Mediterranean, bound for Trieste, 16 June 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97606.

USNHC
Salem 116k

USS Salem (CA 139) Underway in the Mediterranean Sea, en route to Trieste, on 16 June 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97605.

USNHC
Salem 101k

USS Salem (CA 139) Underway in the Mediterranean, bound for Trieste, 16 June 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97606.

USNHC
Salem 158k

USS Salem (CA 139) Silhouetted against the Sun, while steaming toward Trieste during her third Mediterranean deployment, 16 June 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97607.

USNHC
Salem 269k

Starboard bow view taken in the Med, 1954 while serving as the 6th Fleet Flag ship. She is cruising off the coast of Villafrance.

U.S. Navy Photo.

John P. Derr, CDR, USN,(Ret)
Salem 116k Starboard bow view in Algiers, Algeria on 20 May 1954. USS Mercury (AKS 20) to Starboard. USS Roanoke (CA 145) to Port. Almost hidden behind Roanoke is USS Tidewater (AD 31). Larry Bohn
Salem 151k Port view of the Bridge of USS Salem taken about 22 September 1954. Note that at this time, the only ribbon mounted on the bridge is the occupation ribbon. Note also the "Bite" taken out of the lower bridge rail to allow the 3" 50 cal. to swing full circle. Firing Cutout Cams inside the gun mount prevented shooting while pointing in an unsafe direction. Larry Bohn
Salem
0413908
556kUnited States Navy officers and other officials pose for a photograph on the deck of the USS Salem, 29 January 1956.
First row, left to right: Sears; Ekstrom; Cassino; Briscoe; Admiral William M. Fechteler, United States Navy, Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE); Felt; Vice Admiral Giuseppe Lubrano, Italian Navy; Lieutenant Patrick W. Timberlake, United States Air Force; Major General Frank N. Roberts, United States Army; Rear Admiral Elmer E. Yeomans, United States Navy. Second row, left to right: Henderson; two unidentified men; Unia; Lodge; Fiori; Ulantoussis; General Meloni, Italian Army; Young; Brigadier General Cemal Aydinalp, Turkish Army; Bezy. Third row, left to right: Brown; Roby; Hart; unidentified; Noussle; Freeman; and unidentified.
Collection HST-PHC: Photograph Collection
Series: Photographs Relating to the Administration, Family, and Personal Life of Harry S. Truman
Local Identifier 2017-754
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Salem 82k

USS Salem (CA 139) Anchored in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 25 March 1956. The cruiser was then working up for her final tour as flagship of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1040195.

USNHC
Salem
0413957
79k Photo of USS Salem from her 1956-1958 cruise book. Tommy Trampp
Salem
0413947
79k Postcard of USS Salem in Valletta, Malta, dated 27 July 1956. Tommy Trampp
Salem 102k

Piasecki HUP-2 "Retriever" Helicopter (Bureau # 128533), of Helicopter Utility Squadron Two (HU-2) Lowers guard mail to the foredeck of USS Salem (CA 139), during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 29 April 1957. In the background, USS Caloosahatchee (AO 98) is refueling USS Lake Champlain (CVA 39) and a destroyer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97609.

USNHC
Salem
0413953
625k

Photo caption:

(NY2-June 30) DRY RUN--A bosun's chair provides a calm trip over rough seas for crew members during a transfer operation between Sixth Fleet warships in the Mediterranean. The airborne passengers rode from the cruiser USS Salem (CA 139), background, to the USS Des Moines (CA 134) shortly before the Salem left for home after serving as the Sixth Fleet's flagship for most of the last eight years. (APWirephoto) (JDC20700LN) 58

David Wright
Salem
0413911
613kRear Admiral Lewis S. Parks Rides Highline, circa 1957. Collection HST-PHC: Photograph Collection
Series: Photographs Relating to the Administration, Family, and Personal Life of Harry S. Truman
Local Identifier 2015-1314
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Salem
04139p01
698k A painting of USS Salem (CA 139) at anchor in Venice, Italy, circa 1958. The title of the piece is "Evening in Venice" by artist Wayne Scarpaci. Wayne Scarpaci
Salem
0413959
698k View of a highline transfer of personnel between the U.S. Navy heavy cruisers USS Salem (CA 139), left, and USS Des Moines (CA 134), 1 January 1958. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Des Moines (CA 134) 1958 cruise book. Robert Hurst
Salem
0413958
94k Retired U.S. Navy ships laid up in the reserve basin of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania, in 1995. Identifiable are the frigate USS Edward McDonnell (FF 1043) in the foreground, and the heavy cruisers USS Des Moines (CA 134) and USS Salem (CA 139) in the background. A Belknap-class cruiser and two Farragut-class guided missile destroyers are moored in front of Salem. 1 January 1995. Courtesy Jet Lowe.

U.S. Historic American Engineering Record, U.S. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs HAER PA,51-PHILA,709W--4.

Robert Hurst
Salem
0413946
94k

USS Salem (CA 139) with the USS Des Moines (CA 134) moored to her port side at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Reserve Basin circa 1995.

Library of Congress, HAER PA,51-PHILA,709W—3

Mike Green
Salem 55k Salem being helped by tug on her "Sail Day" in 1995. USN
Salem
0413955
55k

Passing through the Fore River old bridge on her way to becoming a museum, 1995.

Photo by Ed Adamson
Yu Chu
The Following 14 Images Show SALEM As Preserved At The Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass.
She Is In Excellent Material Condition, But In Sad Need Of Paint.
Salem 122k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 106k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 87k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 139k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 136k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 132k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 157k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 92k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 149k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 133k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 118k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 108k Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 2 May 1998. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem
0413945
86k USS Salem in drydock, South Boston, MA, January 2000. Steve Singlar
ETCS USNR (Ret)
The following 10 images show SALEM as preserved at the Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass.
She was drydocked in 1999/2000 for preservation/painting and as such looks MUCH better than in the previous batch of photos.
Salem 65k The Cobblers Shop, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 45k The Dentists Office, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 85k A Crew Head, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 77k The Pipefitters Shop, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 78k The Mess Deck, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 50k Office compartment, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 57k The Pilot House, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem 74k USS SALEM after her re-painting, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. © Richard Leonhardt
Salem 74k The Tailor shop, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. © Richard Leonhardt
Salem 66k The Wardroom Pantry, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy Mass., 21 July 2002. ©Richard Leonhardt
Salem
0413943
327k USS Salem (CA 139) taken in Quincy, MA, July 2009. The photographer was Al Coombs. Steve Singlar
ETCS USNR (Ret)
Salem
0413956
327k

Stern of USS Salem (CA 139) from Fore River Bridge, 28 August 2010.

Photo taken by Todd Van Hoosear.
Robert Hurst

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Daniel, John Cheshire, CAPT 1924 VADM 05/13/1949 - 02/02/1950
Taylor, Edmund Battelle, CAPT 1925 VADM 02/02/1950 - 01/02/1951
Varian, Donald Cord, CAPT 1925 RADM 01/02/1951 - 11/09/1951
Romoser, William Kilian, CAPT 1926 RADM 11/09/1951 - 10/09/1952
Schumm, Brooke, CAPT 1927 RADM 10/09/1952 - 10/28/1953
Creighton, Liles Walker, CAPT 1927   10/28/1953 - 01/14/1955
Maginnis, Jack, CAPT 1927   01/14/1955 - 10/19/1955
Roby, Allan Barkhurst, CAPT 1930 RADM 10/19/1955 - 02/02/1957
Williamson, Francis Thomas, CAPT 1931 RADM 02/02/1957 - 07/01/1958
Ferguson, James DuGué, CAPT 1933   07/01/1958 - 01/30/1959

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


USS SALEM (CA 139) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Eileen Daniels
Address: 21605 Queen Elizabeth Court, Leesburg, FL 34748
Phone: 352-326-5377
FAX: 352/315-4040
E-mail: bedaniels53@aol.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.
USS Salem Museum
USS SALEM also starred as the German Pocket Battleship "GRAF SPEE" In "Battle Of The River Platte" (1956)

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