NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive
USS WICHITA (CA 45)
Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Foxtrot - Zulu
 Ships logo submitted by Wolfgang Hechler |
CLASS - WICHITA Displacement 10,000 Tons, Dimensions, 608' 4" (oa) x 61' 9" x 25' (Max) Armament 9 x 8"/55, 8 x 5"/38, 8 x 0.5" 4 Aircraft. Armor, 6" Belt, 8" Turrets, 2 1/4" Deck, 6" Conning Tower. Machinery, 100,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws Speed, 33.5 Knots, Crew 900. Operational and Building Data Authorized 13 FEB 1929 Keel laid on 28 OCT 1935 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Launched 16 NOV 1937 Commissioned 16 FEB 1939 Placed in Reserve 15 JUL 1946 Decommissioned 3 FEB 1947 Stricken on 1 MAR 1959 Fate: Sold for scrap to Union Minerals and Alloys Corp on 14 AUG 1959 |
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon - American Defense Service Medal w/"A" Clasp - American Campaign Medal
Second Row - Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (11) - European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy World War II Occupation Medal w/JAPAN Clasp - Philippine Presidential Unit Citation - Philippine Liberation Medal
| Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
 0404545 |
56k | Miss Margaret Ayres of Wichita, Kansas, Sponsor of USS Wichita (CA 45) | Dale Hargrave |
 0404546 |
94k | Christening of the Wichita by Miss Ayres | Dale Hargrave |
 0404547 |
489k | Wichita sliding down the ways. | Dale Hargrave |
 0404562 |
65k | Wichita being pushed into drydock for the removal of her launching cradle. Philadelphia Navy Yard Photo #724-37-N | John Spivey |
 0404543 |
346k | USS Wichita (CA 45) at sea, as seen in an undated overhead photo. This image clearly shows the her unique secondary 5"/38 battery, consisting of both enclosed and open mounts. There are no planes on her catapults, but the stern hanger hatch is open. | Mike Green |
 |
244k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) Operating in the Atlantic Ocean, out of Norfolk, Virginia, on 1 May 1940. Note the markings on her turret tops (bars on the forward turrets, a circle on the after turret). These scheme was used on several other heavy cruisers in 1939-40. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 93145 |
USNHC |
 0404536 |
116k | USS Wichita (CA 45) Steaming through heavy weather,
while operating as a unit of Task Force Four in the North
Atlantic, September 1941. Photographed from USS Wasp (CV 7). Collection of Vice Admiral Robert C. Giffen, USN. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 94652. |
USNHC |
 0404548 |
160k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) anchored at Hvalfjord, Iceland in October, 1941. Imperial War Museum Admiralty Official Collection by Ware, C.J. (Lt), Photo #IWM (A 5992) |
Mike Green |
 0404558 |
165k | USS Wichita is underway near Seidisfjord, Iceland in June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99. Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17 in July. (caption updated by John Chiquoine) | John Chiquoine |
 0404561 |
134k |
With the Royal Fleet Auxiliary War Bharata alongside, the USS Wichita (CA 45) is anchored at Hvalfjord, Iceland after arriving with Task Force 39, and joining forces with the Royal Navy for Russian convoy protection duty. (RFS War Bharata identified by Armin Maywald) Imperial War Museum Admiralty Official Collection, Photo #A5955. |
Mike Green |
 0404555 |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the DesDiv16 tin cans. USS Wainwright (DD 419) with ComDesRon8 is alongside. Later that evening they, USS Rowan (DD 405) and USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37) joined the force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine | |
 0404556 |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the DesDiv16 tin cans. USS Wainwright (DD 419) with ComDesRon8 is alongside. Later that evening they, USS Rowan (DD 405) and USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37) joined the force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine | |
 0404557 |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine | |
 0404554 |
316k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404550 |
358k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404549 |
343k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404553 |
335k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404552 |
240k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404551 |
217k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the Desdiv16 tin cans throughout the day. Later that evening Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37), USS Wainwright (DD 419), and USS Rowan (DD 405) joined the British force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard Wainwright while at Iceland. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404559 |
305k |
USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the DesDiv16 tin cans. USS Wainwright (DD 419) with ComDesRon8 is alongside. Note the K-Gun projectors Port and Starboard under the 20mm gun tubs and the searchlight between them. Later that evening they, USS Rowan (DD 405) and USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37) joined the force covering approaching convoy PQ17. Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 0404560 |
434k | USS Wichita is anchored at Seidisfjord, Iceland
on 30 June 1942 as part of joint USN-RN TF99, refueling the
DesDiv16 tin cans. USS
Wainwright (DD 419) with ComDesRon8 is alongside. Note
that maintenance is being done on one of the Quad 21" Torpedo Tube
mounts. Also note the K-Gun projectors Port and Starboard under
the 20mm gun tubs. Later that evening they, USS
Rowan (DD 405) and USS
Tuscaloosa (CA 37) joined the force covering
approaching convoy PQ17.
Life Magazine photographer Frank Scherschel is aboard. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose. |
John Chiquoine |
 |
107k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) rides out a winter storm off Iceland in 1941-42. Note the PBY patrol plane on the deck of the seaplane tender from which the photograph was taken. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97885. |
USNHC/Fred Weiss |
 0404538 |
54k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) together with HMS London (C 69) in formation while covering a convoy to Northern Russia in May 1942. Imperial War Museum Photograph. |
Robert Hurst/Mike Green |
 |
120k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) at anchor in Scapa Flow in April 1942. USS Wasp (CV 7) is in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 97884. |
USNHC/Fred Weiss |
 |
91k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) Operating with the British Home Fleet, in the vicinity of Scapa Flow, 22 April 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-21010. |
National Archives |
 |
121k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) in heavy weather, while patrolling in the North Atlantic, circa early 1942. View looks forward from the pilothouse, with the forward 5"/38 gun's barrel in the foreground. Note the life rafts stowed atop the # 2 eight-inch gun turret. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-405279. |
National Archives/Scott Dyben |
 0404542 |
50k | USS Wichita, with a tender tied up at her port side, anchored at Hvalfj?r?ur, Iceland in mid-1942. Both ships are camouflaged in Measure 12 (modified) color scheme. The photo was taken from a battleship or cruiser observation plane. | Mike Green |
 0404541 |
43k | USS Wichita anchored at Hvalfj?r?ur, Iceland in mid-1942. The photo was taken from a battleship or cruiser observation plane and four other observation planes are visible in the foreground. | Mike Green |
 |
90k |
Battle of Casablanca, November 1942 USS Wichita (CA 45) engaging the French battleship Jean Bart, off Casablanca, Morocco, on 8 November 1942. Note the shell splashes off Wichita's bow. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-38835. |
National Archives/Scott Dyben |
 |
81k |
USS Wichita (CA 45) Underway at sea, 2 May 1944, during operations in the central Pacific. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 90428. |
USNHC |
 |
84k |
Saipan Operation, June 1944 - Port side and after 5"/38 guns of USS Wichita (CA 45) firing on enemy targets on Saipan, 26 June 1944. The guns' simultaneous discharge indicates they are firing under director control. Note the 40mm gun mount at left, with ammunition loaded but no personnel present. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-238240. |
National Archives/Scott Dyben |
 |
136k | 1945 overhead of the Wichita firing a broadside. | USN |
 0404537 |
104k | USS Wichita (CA 45) in Nagasaki Harbor, Japan, in
September 1945, a few weeks after the end of World War II.
Hospital ships in the left background are USS
Sanctuary (AH 17) and USS
Haven (AH 12). Collection of Admiral Harry W. Hill,
USN, 1968.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 65834. |
USNHC |
 0404544 |
138k | Ex-Wichita awaiting scrapping at Port Panama City, Florida. There appears to be at least 3 other hulls in the process of bring scrapped. | Glenn Owens |
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Commanding Officers
|
|||
| Name/Rank | Class | Final Rank | Dates |
| Thomson Jr., Thaddeus Austin, CAPT | 1907 | 02/16/1939 - 12/27/1941 | |
| Alexander, James Thomas, CAPT | 1910 | 12/27/1941 - 02/20/1942 | |
| Hill, Harry Wilbur, CAPT | 1911 | VADM | 02/20/1942 - 09/03/1942 |
| Low, Francis Stuart, CAPT | 1915 | ADM | 09/03/1942 - 03/10/1943 |
| Mahoney, John Joseph, CAPT | 1915 | 03/10/1943 - 04/11/1944 | |
| Spencer, Douglas Ancrum, CAPT | 1917 | 04/11/1944 - 06/04/1945 | |
| Rend, Charles Joseph, CAPT | 1919 | 06/04/1945 - 12/1945 | |
| Hibbs, William, CAPT | 1920 | 12/1945 - 04/1946 | |
| Wright Jr., William Dudley (Wild D), CAPT | 1923 | RADM | 04/1946 - 07/15/1946 |
| Rawlings, Edward White, CDR | 1924 | 07/15/1946 - 02/03/1947 | |
(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)
USS WICHITA (CA 45) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Contact Name: Mr. John Sheeran
Address: 1224 Madison ave. Council Bluff, Ia 51503
Phone: 712-322-1127
E-mail: wausie@cox.net
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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