USN CRUISERS - CA CL CLG CC CG CGN

15,285 · September 13, 2017

USS RICHMOND K. TURNER (DLG/CG-20) Leahy class Destroyer Leader to Cruiser conversion In service 1964 to 1995. Vietnam, Persian gulf, Bosnia. 1965 to 1975 patches. Her maiden deployment was to Vietnam in 1965

Leahy class Cruiser USS RICHMOND K TURNER (CG-20)

Operation Vicinity Libya, Med cruise 1985-1986 - 1st Surface Ship to Fire a Harpoon In Combat

During the Action in the Gulf of Sidra against the Libyan navy, the Turner disabled a Libyan patrol boat with a Harpoon missile.

4,559 · September 14, 2017

I was on the Turner for that event, I am not sure when that patch was made but it must have been well after the cruise ended. I would love to find one of those.

15,285 · October 10, 2017

On 5/2/2017 at 3:16 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USSPROVIDENCE (CL-82/CLG-6/CG-6) Another WWII Cleveland cl. to Galveston cl. Guided Missile Light Cruiser in service 1945 to 1978

She was converted to CLG-6 in 1957 and redesignated CG-5 in 1975.

Same Japanese make patch, one true color stored in a patch book and one faded from handling

USS_PROVIDENCE (CLG-6) Far East Cruise 1960-1961

Japanese made silk with gold bullion threads

15,285 · October 15, 2017

USS MACON (CA-132) Baltimore class Heavy Cruiser In service 1945 to 1961

15,285 · October 20, 2017

On 4/30/2017 at 9:03 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

Baltimore class Heavy Cruiser USS SAINT PAUL (CA-73) In service 1945 to 1971

Gemsco "Fighting Saints" 18 Battle Stars: 1-WWII, 8-Korea, 9-Vietnam on the gunline

Another version of the Fighting Saints - USS SAINT PAUL (CA-73)

4,559 · October 27, 2017

USS LITTLE ROCK (CLG-4) 1960's with rocker and her last patch when she was redesignated (CG-4) in 1975 and decommissioned

It was my week for Gemsco patches still on the card, here is a Little Rock still on the card

15,285 · December 22, 2017

On 4/30/2017 at 9:43 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

Baltimore class all gun Heavy Cruiser USS LOS ANGELES (CA-135) In service 1945 to 1963

5 Battle Stars Korea - Manned and Ready 6" patch

USS Los Angeles CA-135 in Early 1950s

USS LOS ANGELES (CA-135) Baltimore class all gun Heavy Cruiser

In service 1945 to 1963, Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - ROUGH RIDER

15,285 · December 31, 2017

USS QUINCY (CA-71) Baltimore class heavy cruiser, Task Force 77 KOREA

She had a very short career, but all of it was during wartime in WWII and Korea. Commissioned in 1943 she provided heavy gunfire support during the Normandy invasion and then the invasion of Southern France. She transported FDR to Malta where he continued on to the big three Yalta conference, and then hosted the President, Winston Churchill and other dignitaries in Africa and the Med before returning FDR to Washington DC. After this, she participated in the Okinawa campaign and shelled the Japanese home islands until the surrender when she was present in Tokyo Bay.

In Korea she was a major shore bombardment element of Task Force 77 and screened the fast carrier task groups as they ravaged the North Korean peninsula. She was decommissioned on July 2nd, 1954.

QUINCY was the only one of her class to retain her Bofors 40 mm gun mounts instead of receiving the newer 3/50 mounts. Of the Baltimore class she had the second shortest active career (Fall River was in service just 2 1/2 years), and only was in active service for 5 1/2 years.

Quincy received four battle stars for World War II service. Crew members also received campaign medals for both the Atlantic & Pacific theaters.

In honor of the meeting between Saudi's King Abdul Aziz and Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard Quincy, the official residence of the American ambassador to Saudi Arabia is named Quincy House, and is located on the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. In 1995, to commemorate 50 years since the meeting occurred, then-U.S. Ambassador Ray Mabus unveiled a detailed model of the meeting on Quincy, paid for with private donations, and this model is still on display today at Quincy House.

Quincy's ship bell has been preserved, and is on display at Constitution Common in Quincy, Massachusetts.

6,381 · December 31, 2017

On 4/30/2017 at 9:03 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

Baltimore class Heavy Cruiser USS SAINT PAUL (CA-73) In service 1945 to 1971

Gemsco "Fighting Saints" 18 Battle Stars: 1-WWII, 8-Korea, 9-Vietnam on the gunline

. My dads first ship. 1947-1950. Home ported in Shanghai. He loved that ship. Did time as a QM striker, became an EM. Turret 2 electrician. The last week of his life, he was an EM3 on the Best Cruiser in the Pacific, with the Greatest Wife ever.

15,285 · January 20, 2018

USS ANTIETAM (CG-54) Ticonderoga class commissioned in 1987, still in active service homeport Yokosuka, Japan 1987 Commissioning photo and patch

USS ANTIETAM (CG-54) Ticonderoga class commissioned in 1987, still in active service homeport Yokosuka, Japan Swiss tex patch

USS ANTIETAM (CG-54) Ticonderoga class commissioned in 1987, still in active service homeport Yokosuka, Japan

Grounding in 2017 - On 31 January 2017, commanded by CAPT Joseph Carrigan, Antietam ran aground in Tokyo Bay near her home port of Yokosuka, Japan. Antietam was anchored off the coast in 30-knot winds and a strong tide when the crew noticed the ship was dragging its anchor. They got the ship underway, but shortly after doing so, they felt the ship shudder as it lost all pitch control in both propellers. They had run aground on a shoal with damage to both propellers and one of the propeller hubs, causing 1,100 US gallons (4,200 l) of hydraulic oil to leak into the water. No personnel were injured during the incident. Repairs are expected to cost at least $4.2 million

Current patch

February 16, 2018

USS Des Moines CG-134. Original patch.

4,559 · February 16, 2018

Great pick up at a great price, nice to see you back on the forum.

February 16, 2018

Thanks, 1st one I've ever seen. Was willing to go substantially higher. I'll be posting more often now that I've figured out how to resize pictures.

4,559 · February 16, 2018

looking forward to seeing more of your patches

15,285 · February 24, 2018

Class leader USS WORCESTER (CL-144) In service 1948 to 1958 The Wandering Wo 6" patch

USS Worcester (CL-144) bombards North Korean coastline, Korea. HD Stock Footage

Another Wandering Wo patch

USS WORCESTER (CL-144) TRAVELLING TARGETEERS Rifle and Pistol competition team, 1952 Korean War

15,285 · March 25, 2018

USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47) Class leader in service 1983 to 2004

First Aegis Cruiser

Two types of Swiss Tex and 1995 Med Cruise

15,285 · March 25, 2018

USS YORKTOWN (CG-48) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service 1984 to 2004

Photo: The Soviet Burevestnik M-class frigate Bezzavetnyy intentionally colliding with Yorktown in 1988, Just another day jousting with Ivan during the Cold War

USS YORKTOWN (CG-48) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service 1984 to 2004

Victory Is Our Tradition (....and F off Ivan)

Med Cruise 1989-1990

4,559 · March 25, 2018

USS YORKTOWN (CG-48) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service 1984 to 2004

Photo: The Soviet Burevestnik M-class frigate Bezzavetnyy intentionally colliding with Yorktown in 1988, Just another day jousting with Ivan during the Cold War

Great picture of the EW Suite SLQ 32 V3 antennas and the Chaff launchers

15,285 · March 25, 2018

Thanks Bearmon,

The 'Welcome Aboard' was a friendly gesture to the Commie frigate, but it's best to use the brow and not scratch the paint.....We also still have not started up an EW OS OPS patch topic yet

USS VINCENNES (CG-49) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service 1985 to 2005 - "Freedoms Fortress" aka the "Checkmate Cruiser"

There were three cruisers named VINCENNES, the first was a New Orleans Heavy Cruiser (CA-44) which was lost in the Battle of Savo Island, the second was the Cleveland class (CL-64) and this is the third one.

In 1988 she was sent to the Persian Gulf for Operation Earnest Will after the USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS struck a mine. She made 14 Straits of Hormuz transits convoying tankers during this operation. Unfortunately, she also will be remembered for mistakenly downing Iran Air Flight 655, believing her to be an attacking IAF F-14 Tomcat, killing 290 passengers and crew aboard the A300 Airbus.

1988 CG-49 "Checkmate" Gulf Games patch

AW - Aviation Anti Submarine Warfare Operator - Far East Cruise 1994

Engineering Department - Non Illegitmandum Carborundum - Don't let the bastards grind you down

15,285 · April 13, 2018

USS THOMAS S GATES (CG-51) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service 1987 to 2005

Desert Storm era patch

Swiss Tex commissioning patch circa 1987 - Defender of the Republic

Maiden deployment 1989 - Swiss Tex Mediterranean Cruise patch and Sevastapol 1989 cap patch

USS THOMAS S GATES (CG-51) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service 1987 to 2005

1989 Maiden Deployment - Sevastapol USSR

Thomas S. Gates' maiden deployment was from 31 May 1989 to 10 November 1989. After transiting to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the battle group formed around the aircraft carrier Coral Sea, Thomas S. Gates in-chopped to the Sixth Fleet on 10 June 1989; she participated in Operation National Week (10–19 June 1989), conducting turnover with the guided missile cruiser Leyte Gulf at Augusta Bay, Sicily (15 June). After visiting Palma, Majorca (20–27 June) and Toulon, France (30 June-15 July), where she underwent an Intermediate Maintenance Availability (IMAV), Thomas S. Gates transited to the eastern Mediterranean (15–21 July); following a port visit to Izmir, Turkey (21–23 July), Thomas S. Gates participated in Exercise Demon Jazz 89 (24–29 July). She then visited Istanbul, Turkey (31 July-2 August), where she embarked VADM Paul Ilg, Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, and then stood into the Black Sea (3–4 August).

Accompanied by the guided missile frigate Kauffman, Thomas S. Gates visited Sevastopol, USSR, from 4–8 August, and then returned to Istanbul, where she disembarked VADM Ilg (9–10 August). Owing to the crisis in Lebanon, which had dictated that the fleet flagship, guided missile cruiser Belknap not carry out her scheduled visit to Sevastopol, Thomas S. Gates then operated in support of the Coral Sea and America battle groups off Beirut. Returning to Toulon, Thomas S. Gates there underwent a period of maintenance (7–13 September). After taking part in NATO Exercise Display Determination 89 (14 September- 3 October) in concert with units of the French and Turkish Navies, she conducted a period of escort operations (3–11 October) as she transited to the western Mediterranean. She then underwent a period of maintenance in Marseille, France (11–22 October) before she participated in Exercise National Week (24–31 October), during which she conducted turnover with her relief, the cruiser Yorktown at Pollensa Bay, Majorca (29 October). Out-chopping to Commander, 2d Fleet, on 31 October 1989, Thomas S. Gates then conducted her return transit to Norfolk (31 October-10 November 1989).

15,285 · April 22, 2018

USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service since 1986. After commissioning BUNKER HILL was the first Ticonderoga-class cruiser to be equipped with the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) in place of the previous ships' twin-arm Mark 26 missile launchers, which greatly improved the flexibility and firepower of the ships by allowing them to fire RGM-109 Tomahawk missiles. BUNKER HILL is slated to be decommissioned in 2019 with 33 years of service and placed in reserve. She will be the first VLS Ticonderoga Cruiser to be decommissioned

USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52) Ticonderoga class Aegis Cruiser in service since 1986. Scheduled for decommissioning in 2019 and placed in reserve.

Swiss Tex commissioning patch 1986 - Determination - Deterrence - The Sword of the Fleet

Foreign made, probably Philippines

Homeport Yokosuka Japan (Midway Battle Group - Foreign Legion) 1988 to 1998 - The Sword of the Fleet

Operation Desert Storm 1991

Patch circa 2000's, Homeport San Diego, CA

15,285 · May 27, 2018

USS MOBILE BAY (CG-53) Ticonderoga class aegis cruiser commissioned in 1987, currently scheduled for decommissioning in 2020 https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/surface-navy-association/2018/01/04/aboard-the-cruiser-mobile-bay-why-its-captain-would-rather-be-on-this-ship-than-a-new-destroyer/

USS MOBILE BAY (CG-53) Ticonderoga class aegis cruiser commissioned in 1987

After commissioning, Mobile Bay joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, arriving at her Mayport, Florida, homeport in March 1987. Following a year of crew qualifications, tests and systems trials, Mobile Bay embarked on her maiden deployment on 11 May 1989. During this cruise, Mobile Bay earned her first two awards: the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Armed Services Expeditionary Medal, for operations conducted in the Gulf of Oman.

In June 1990, Mobile Bay shifted homeports from Mayport, Florida to Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly thereafter, she deployed in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, becoming the first AEGIS cruiser to circumnavigate the globe. In the Persian Gulf, the ship distinguished herself by becoming the first Battle Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander to control a four-carrier Task Force. Mobile Bay launched 22 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile strikes, and performed as the Battle Force Anti-Surface Warfare Commander targeting Iraqi naval vessels and directing carrier-launched attack aircraft to destroy 38 Iraqi naval vessels resulting in the complete neutralization of the Iraqi Navy.

USS MOBILE BAY (CG-53) Ticonderoga class aegis cruiser commissioned in 1987 - Homeport Yokosuka, Japan, component of the USN "Foreign Legion"

1992 Cease Fire Cruise

In May 1991, Mobile Bay was ordered to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, to participate in Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of thousands of people displaced by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. In December 1991, Mobile Bay began work-ups for a spring 1992 Persian Gulf deployment.

On 15 April 1992, Mobile Bay once again set sail for the Persian Gulf. En route, the ship and crew visited Sydney, Australia, to represent the U. S. Navy at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Sailing through the Straits of Hormuz in late May 1992, the ship began duties as the Persian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander. Mobile Bay also played a vital role in Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the U. N.-mandated "No Fly Zone" over Southern Iraq. Returning to Japan in October, Mobile Bay participated in ANNUALEX-92, a major naval exercise involving units of the U. S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. Mobile Bay served as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a joint U. S. - Japanese flotilla

USS MOBILE BAY (CG-53) Ticonderoga class aegis cruiser commissioned in 1987 - Homeport Yokosuka, Japan, component of the USN "Foreign Legion"

1993-1994 Gulf Cruise - After participating in SPRING TRAINING-93 off the coast of Australia, she made an historic visit to the Russian seaport of Vladivostok in September 1993. Accompanying her was the USS Bunker Hill. They continued to the Persian Gulf and the Middle East Force