World War II Database

Louisville was originally classified as a light cruiser, but in accordance to the London Naval Treaty of 1930 she was reclassified as a heavy cruiser during her shakedown cruise, which took her from the Pacific to New York City through the Panama Canal. Before WW2, she operated in a variety of missions, including participation in fleet problems, training in anti-aircraft gunnery, and visiting foreign ports in Latin America, South Pacific, and Australia. When the European War began in Sep 1939, she was on a cruise in South America. While in Brazil, she was diverted to South Africa to pick up British gold worth US$148 million for transportation to New York City, United States; she was given this duty because a British ship traveling across the Atlantic Ocean would risk attacks from German submarines and put the valuable cargo at risk. An American ship, however, would be protected by her mother country's neutrality.

When the United States officially entered the war in Dec 1941, Louisville was on an escorting mission from the Caribbean Sea to Hawaii. In Feb and Mar 1942, she escorted carriers when they raided Japanese bases in Gilbert, Marshall, and Solomon Islands areas. She spent some time in the Aleutian Islands area before being sent back to South Pacific for the closing stages of the Guadalcanal Campaign. On 29 Jan 1943, she participated in the Battle of Rennell Island, where she was hit by a dud torpedo and after the battle towed cruiser Chicago until tug Navajo took over the job. In Apr 1943, she returned to the Aleutian Islands as a part of Task Force 16. In the North Pacific, she covered the assault and occupation of Attu Island from 11 to 30 May and then the pre-invasion bombardment of Kiska in Aug 1943.

After the overhaul, Louisville was tasked with providing pre-landing naval gunfire support at Wotje, Kwajalein and Eniwetok atolls in the Marshall Islands between Jan and Feb 1944, while flying the flag of Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. She escorted carriers during Central Pacific raids in Mar 1944 and bombarded Japanese positions Truk and Sawatan in Apr 1944. In Jun and Jul, she bombarded Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. After the Mariana Islands action, she retired to the rear area until mid-Sep. In Sep and Oct, she bombarded Peleliu and Leyte, respectively. In the night of 24 to 25 Oct, she participated in the Battle of the Surigao Strait where the large surface action resulted in heavy losses for the Japanese Navy. After the Leyte actions, she rejoined the fast carriers as a part of Task Force 38, and attacked Japanese positions on the shores of Luzon. On 5 and 6 Jan 1945, Louisville was struck by two Kamikaze special attack aircraft while supporting American operations in the Philippine Islands. She remained in the area briefly to complete her shore bombardment mission, and then was withdrawn to Mare Island Navy Yard in the United States for permanent repairs. She returned to the war in May 1945 with Task Force 54 to provide naval gunfire support during the Okinawa Campaign, where she was once again hit by a suicide aircraft on 5 Jun; after temporary repairs, she was back on the firing line by 9 Jun, but departed for Pearl Harbor for permanent repairs a week later. She was at Pearl Harbor when the war ended.

Louisville left Pearl Harbor on 15 Aug 1945 and headed back for post-war operations. She supervised the rescue of Allied POWs in Manchuria and then witnessed the surrender of Japanese vessels by Vice Admiral Kaneko in Tsingtao. She remained off the Chinese coast until Oct 1945. Louisville was decommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the United States in Jun 1946. She was sold to the Marlene Blouse Corporation of New York for scrap on 14 Sep 1959.

USS Louisville Operational Timeline

Photographs

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Ronald Dozier says:
   6 May 2008 07:52:13 PM
   
   I appreciate this piece because a friend of mine served as helmsman on the Louisville under Admiral Odlendorf.
   I believe the article is in error at the end of paragraph two. Attu and Kiska are in the Aleutians rather than the North Atlantic.
2. Darell Lewis says:
   9 Oct 2008 09:47:52 PM
   
   My father served on this ship in the pacific theater in world war two. He was a petty officer, first class, gunners mate. The good LORD took him on November 27, 1982. Thanks to him and many others we live in a free country! Let us not forget the sacrifices these veterans made so that we can live the life we now live. GOD BLESS THESE VETERANS AND OUR GREAT COUNTRY!
3. Anonymous says:
   27 Nov 2008 09:57:26 PM
   
   My grandmothers partner/bf served on the USS Louisville during WWII. He was telling me about it tonight. Told me about the Kamikaze attacks hitting the turret and then the bridge. Im sure he knew the above mentioned sailors. Thank you for their duty.
4. Anonymous says:
   6 Feb 2009 04:01:04 PM
   
   John Tucker, Waynesboro, Virginia, was in the engine room of the Louisville for most of the Pacific duty. I will present him with a Louisville cap on the 18th of Feb at the nursing home where he now lives. He is a good man and I honor and respect him.
5. Anonymous says:
   13 May 2009 03:40:30 PM
   
   My uncle LaVerne "Louie" was aboard the USS Louisville when it was attacked by the kamikaze planes. He said they had to go to shore for 4 days while they fixed the turret. He has a book called Man Of War, with a lot of pictures and details of the USS Louisville. God bless our soldiers for the frightening, demanding lives they live, all for the service to our country. Without them, we would have nothing. My uncle turned 90 April 2, 2009 and his mind is still as sharp as a tack. He remembers everything and everyone on the USS Louisville, and even explained to me what all the switches were to run the ship. An amazing man from an amazing era. The world needs more like him.
6. Daughter of Marty Martinson says:
   2 Jul 2009 03:36:43 PM
   
   My Dad, who died when I was a child, was a gunner's mate on the Louisville. I am so very proud of him.
7. Anonymous says:
   3 Dec 2009 10:29:48 PM
   
   My grandfather Walt Evans served aboard the Louisville from 1937 thru 1945. The January '45 Kamikaze attack and resulting repairs at Mare Island (near San Francisco) allowed my aunt to be conceived. He passed away on Thanksgiving day 2001. I miss him.
8. Proud Grandson says:
   27 Dec 2009 06:03:04 PM
   
   There is so many unwritten stories about this ship and its crew surrounding the events in the pacific.... I fear that one day they will be forgotten... These men fought for our very existence as Americans. They seen things things in there 20's that most 20 year old American men today can not imagine..... My wish and hope is that there story is told before it is forgotten. The events of of the Louisville in the pacific will be pasted down to my sons and grandson..but what about the rest America.
   
   Matthew Hensley, Grandson of 2nd class petty officer Robert L Stephens
9. cathy says:
   31 Mar 2010 04:37:02 PM
   
   My dad, Billy Farmer served during WWII on the USS Louisville (C28). He worked in the radar area. He would tell us stories of the War. He has passed on now. My grandson is now studing about WWII. I have some of Dad's things from the war that he can share with his classmates. I am proud of all those that served in the war and of all of you that want to keep all your memories alive of your love one that served during the wars.
10. Jeff Limon says:
    27 Apr 2010 06:55:01 PM
    
    I believe that man named Steve Ligurtsky was on the USS Louisville. He was to marry my aunt Mercedes in the early 1940s. She died of tuberculosis while Steve was away. Steve came looking for when he was on shore leave around 1942. He was upset in that no one told him of the death of his fiancée. He asked my dad "Why didn't you tell me?". My dad told him that he sent a letter, but the letter apparently never reached Steve, given that he was out there in the South Pacific.
    
    Steve returned to his post on the Louisville, and was killed a few months later as a result of a kamikaze attack.
    
    Sincerely
    
    Jeff Limón
11. Allen Robertson says:
    2 May 2010 05:13:34 PM
    
    My dad, E.O. Robertson was a gunner's mate aboard the Louisville. It was his turret that was hit. He passed away in 2005. Thank God these men were willing to fight for our freedom. God bless them all.
12. William Hunt says:
    27 May 2010 01:28:50 PM
    
    My older brother, John A. Hunt, served on the Louisville he was aboard before Pearl Harbor and was still aboard at the end of the war. I am grateful for the detail given in this article.
13. Darlene Loebig says:
    6 Sep 2010 03:31:34 PM
    
    My dad, John Condit, was a gunner's mate aboard the Louisville. He stayed in the Navy after the war. We are very proud of him as well as grateful to all who served.
14. Becky (Vowell) Taylor says:
    1 Dec 2010 09:24:25 AM
    
    My grandfather Rex O. Vowell served on the USS Louiville from (I believe) 1942-1945. He passed away this week. November 27, 2010.
15. Len says:
    22 Jan 2011 06:37:55 PM
    
    My father served aboard USS Louisville from March 1942, through the end of the war. He told me about the Kamikaze that hit the bridge killing 50 sailors. Admiral Chandler died the next day from wounds. I have pieces of the kamikaze that my dad picked up off the deck that day...
    
16. Scott Allen says:
    25 Jan 2011 07:23:12 PM
    
    My uncle, Thomas Allen, from Cleveland, Ohio was a machinist mate aboard the USS LOUISVILLE during WWII. He was aboard for all South Pacific action. He wasn't a real big guy but he was tough and during one of the attacks he helped save a shipmate that was on fire from being soaked in fuel. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He returned to Cleveland after the war and married. He worked as a pattern maker the rest of his life. He retired in 1980 and passed away 13 April,2002.
17. Paul A. Franz says:
    1 Feb 2011 02:09:38 PM
    
    I served aboard the USS Louisville During WWII and have read some of the comments from relatives of shipmates that I served with. Two that I remember very well, S.D. Martinson and John Condit were in the 4th Div. with me.
18. Bill Verbano says:
    30 Mar 2011 06:50:01 AM
    
    My dad, who will be 87 this coming 4th of July, served on Louisville from 43 to the end. He has a copy of a poem someone wrote about Louisville during the night battle at Surigao Strait. Aside from his family, serving on Louisville was something he is most proud of.
19. Darla Williams says:
    11 May 2011 10:36:15 AM
    
    My father in law, James D. Williams was on the USS Louisville from 41 to 45. He was a Store Keeper. He never spoke of the war. After he passed I found all his Navy items, 2 journals of his daily life happenings on the Louie. The crew of this ship are truely all HEROS. I salute them all. I have the Man of War book and the medal given the ship for delivering the gold to New York in preparing for the war. Michael Harsche living in Bremerton also served and wrote a book on the Louie. I praise all the fine men of the USS LOUISVILLE. They are truly America's Hero's.
    Thank you.
20. Diane Dowdell says:
    22 May 2011 01:15:54 AM
    
    My father, Lester Dowdell, was a Machinist's Mate (MMI) aboard the USS Louisville from 1943 until after the end of WWII. He often told of the night the Louisville towed the Chicago all night at a slow speed under kamikaze fire. Until he passed away in March 2002, he always said he'd never forget the sound that the kamikazes made. He also served in the boiler rooms on the USS Saratoga, the USS Midway, the USS Lexington, and the USS Oriskany. 20 years active duty. I miss him every day.
21. C. Beckner says:
    31 May 2011 05:39:35 AM
    
    My dad, William C. Beckner, was an FC 2/c on the USS Louisville in the Pacific theater and received a letter of commendation from Vice Admiral Oldendorf. He passed when I was only four, but I found the letter and other memorabilia packed away for decades after my mother passed.
22. Anonymous says:
    2 Oct 2011 07:58:23 AM
    
    My father served on the USS Louisville as a radioman. He would talk about how tense it was when they transported the British gold from South Africa to NYC and how emotional it was when they finally entered NY Harbor and saw the Statue of Liberty. He passed away in 1985.
23. Dianne Yetka says:
    27 Jun 2012 02:10:45 PM
    
    My dad, John Yetka, served on the USS Louisville as a boilermaker from 1939 to 1944. He passed on 6-22-12 at age 93. The USS Louisville was one of his greatest sources of pride. A week before his death he was showing a visitor his photo journal: showing the wonderful companionship aboard the ship as well as some of the more auspicious moments (the sinking of the Graf Spee and Good Will Tour of South America). He had so many stories: the rescue of passengers from a capsized ferry in Sydney Harbor, the torpedo that banged around ominously in the hull while they limped back to Pearl and the guys that died when they had to seal off to save the rest of the ship. He greatly respected his shipmates and thought highly of Admiral Leighton for putting the safety of his crew ahead of seeking glory in battles. I am proud of my Dad and proudly call myself a USS Louisville "descendent."
24. Dan Maple says:
    23 Sep 2012 08:45:36 PM
    
    Dear Sirs & family,
    My Father-in-law was a signal man 1st class on this ship. If any family of other sailors would care to contact me to Honor these men
    please do. I could not be more proud to honor their sacrifices for our freedoms. Thank you, Dan
25. Jessica Freeman says:
    8 Nov 2012 07:45:56 PM
    
    My Grandad Merle Freeman (Worth Merle Freeman) served on the Louisville in the Marines. He often regales me with stories of his times there and Island hopping. There were a couple men in particular that he talks about, and I'd love to help him reconnect, or at least find out where these men ended up. Thank you in advance.
26. Jessica Freeman says:
    8 Nov 2012 07:58:17 PM
    
    For anyone on this page-- My grandfather's sea bag was lost on his trip home, and he often laments that all his pictures of his time in the service were lost with it. If anyone would be willing to share their fathers/grandfathers pictures with us (through scanning), I would be absolutely grateful. My e-mail is jessie.l.freeman25@gmail.com, and you can add me on facebook with jessie.l.freeman@korea.army.mil I'll be surprising him for Veteran's day, but even if you contact me after that, please please do. I would love to give him that type of gift, and I promise you a 93-year-old Marine will cry tears of joy. Thank you so much in advance. Never forget.
27. David Medo says:
    9 Nov 2012 09:08:31 PM
    
    My Father was Vincent Medo,served as Chief Petty Officer of the Lousville. He always felt a strong bond with all who served with him. When I read the stories listed on this site, it sounds so familiar to the stories he told me. He passed away in 1986. May our fathers and loved ones always be remembered.
28. Robert Ergenbright II says:
    25 Dec 2012 05:29:28 PM
    
    My father, Robert Ergenbright, served on the Louisville from August 16 to November 10, 1945. Previously he had served on the US Dedee. After his suiside, a result of the fear of his Alzhimer desease, I found a map in his effects. It documents every day of his service while on the Louisville from the leaving Pearl Harbor on Augus 16 to his arrival at San Francisco on Nov. 10. Although he never talked about his time spent in World War II, he was always proud of his duty to his country. The posts on this site make me even more proud of his time serving in the South Pacific from 1942 to 1945. He was from Staunton, Virginia.

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