USS Boise CL-47

 

Boise

CL-47: dp. 9700; 1. 60S'4"; b. 61'9", dr. 24', s. 33.5 k.; cpl. 868; a. 15 6", 8 5"; cl. Brooklyn)

Boise (CIA7) was launched 3 December 1936 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Miss Salome Clark, daughter of Governor Clark of Idaho, and commissioned 12 August 1938, Captain B. V. McCandlish in command

In February 1939, following a shakedown cruise to Monrovia, Liberia; and Cape Town, Union of South Afrtca, Boise joined Division 9, Cruisers Battle Force, at 8an Pedro, Calif. Until November 1941 she operated
alternately off the west coast and in Hawailan waters. She then escorted a convoy to Manila, Philippine Islands, arriving 4 December 1941.

The outbreak of war in the Philippines, 8 December 1941, found Boise off Cebu. She joined TF 5 in the East Indies, but on 21 January 1942 struck an uncharted shoal in Sape Strait and kind to retire to Colombo, Ceylon Bombay, India; and Mare Island Navy Yard for repairs Her repairs completed, she sailed 22 June 1942 to escort a convoy to Auckland, New Zealand. She then returned to Pearl Harbor and during 11 July-10 August 1942 conducted a raiding cruise in Japanese waters as afeint to draw attention away from the Guadalcanal landings. In August she escorted a convoy to the Fiji and New Hebrides Islands. During 1~18 September she helped cover the landing of Marine reinforcements on Guadalc anal. In the succeeding hard fighting she was hit by Japanese shells in the American victory of Cape Esperance after taking six planes under fire. She made her way to Philadelphia Navy Yard where she underwent repairs (19 November 1942 20 March 1943).

Boise departed 8 June 1943 for the Mediterranenn, arriving at Algiers, Algeria, 21 June. Between 10 July and 18 August 1943 she acted as a cover and fire support ship during the landing on Sicily. In September she took part in the Italian mainland landings at Taranto (9-10 September) and SaLerno (1~19 September). She returned to New York 15 November 1943 und once again steamed to the South Pacific, arriving at Milne Bay, New Guinea'31 December.

During January-September 1944 she took part in operations along the northern shore of New Guinea, including: Madang-Alexishafen bombardment (25-26 January); Humboldt Bay landings (22 April); Wakde-Sawar bombardment (23 30 April), Wakde-Toem landings (1525 May), Biak landings (25 May-10 June), Noewfoor landings (1-2 July); Cape Sansapor landings (27 July31 August); and the occupation of' Morotai (l0 September). The cruiser moved northward as the battle front advanced into the Philippines taking part in: Leyte invasion (2(}24 October); Battle of Surigao Strait (25 October); Mindoro landingu (12-17 December), Leyte Mindoro covering action (26-29 December), Lingayen Gulf' landings with General D. MacArthur embarked (~ 13 January 1945) Luzon covefing itorce (1~21 January): Bataan-Corregidor occupation (12 17 February)and Ziamboanga landings (~12March). She then moved to Borneofor the Tarakan 1andings (27 April 8 May). During 2-16 June she carried General MacArthur on a 35,000 mile tour of the Central and Southern Philippines and Brunei Bay, Borneo, and then returned to San Pedro. Calif., arriving 7 July.

The cruiser remained in the San Pedro area undergoing overhaul and training until October. She sailed 3 October for the east coast, arriving at New York 20 October. Boise remained there until decommissioned 1 July 1946. She was sold to Argentina 11 January 1951.

Boise received ten battle stars for her service in World War II.