View of signal flag "Bags" from atop the forward superstructure with the starboard forward quad 40mm gun mount beyond. Taken during the ship's shakedown cruise, October 1943. Note signal lamp and R.D.F. "Loop'

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2830.

40mm quad-mounted antiaircraft machine guns in action, during a shakedown cruise battle practice, October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-14526.

Photo is dated 19 February 1945, but was probably taken during the ship's shakedown cruise, circa October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98263.

Underway during her shakedown cruise, October 1943. She is painted in Measure 21 (overall Navy Blue) camouflage.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2826-A.

Steaming into a turn, during her shakedown cruise, October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-12826-B.

Underway off the U.S. East Coast, 20 November 1943. Photographed from a blimp of squadron ZP-14, based as Naval Air Station Weeksville, North Carolina.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98262.

Underway at sea, circa late 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 45698.

Personnel inspection on the ship's afterdeck, during her shakedown period, circa October 1943. Note her aircraft catapults, with Curtiss SO3C floatplanes on top, and her hangar hatch cover.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2832.

The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS? Biloxi? (CL 80) turns into the wind to catapult a Curtiss SO3C? "Seamew"? while on shakedown, circa October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2837.

Biloxi catapults a Curtiss SO3C "Seamew" floatplane, during her shakedown period, circa October 1943. Note the plane's national insignia, with the red surround briefly used in mid-1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2836.

Biloxi catapults a Curtiss SO3C "Seamew" while on shakedown, circa October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2835.

Biloxi firing her 6"/47 main battery guns during her shakedown cruise, October 1943. View looking after on the port side.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2849.

Firing her 6"/47 main battery guns while steaming in a turn, during her shakedown cruise, October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2850.

40mm guns stand by for test firing, during the ship's shakedown, October 1943. Note MK51 director at right bottom

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2828.

40mm and 20mm machine guns firing during the ship's shakedown cruise, October 1943. Note 40mm gun crew keeping their weapons loaded with ammunition. Also note gun pointer protecting his ears, as the mount operates under director control.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2843.

40mm quad-mounted guns firing during battle practice while the ship was shaking down in October 1943. The view looks forward along the ship's port side, with a 5"/38 twin gun mount beyond the 40mm guns.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-2844.

40mm quad-mounted antiaircraft machine guns in action, during a shakedown cruise battle practice, October 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-14526.

On the morning of 27 March 1945 during Okinawa preparations four suicide planes attacked the light cruiser USS Biloxi. Three were shot down in flames but the fourth broke through the umbrella of anti-aircraft fire to smash itself against the cruiser's side. Later investigation revealed a 500-kilogram bomb which failed to explode. Rendered harmless, the bomb became the prized possession of the quarterdeck where it is shown being examined by Major Anthony V. Ragusin (right) of Biloxi, Miss., and Ensign Jack Fisher, USNR, of Natchitoches, La., both of whom are attached to the staff of the Commander in Chief Pacific Ocean Areas. (Quoted from the original caption released with this photograph on 7 September 1945.)

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Shelling Japanese positions on Okinawa, 30 March 1945. USS Portland (CA 33) is in the left background, also taking part in the bombardment. Photographed from USS West Virginia (BB 48).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-315085.