USS Mobile CL 63 in World War II Campaigns

The USS Mobile CL 63 played a significant role in World War II campaigns. It was commissioned on June 15, 1943, and was initially assigned to the Atlantic Fleet.

The ship was later transferred to the Pacific Fleet and participated in several key battles. One notable engagement was the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942, where the USS Mobile supported the USS Enterprise and USS South Dakota.

The USS Mobile CL 63 also played a crucial role in the Gilbert Islands campaign, providing gunfire support to the invasion of Tarawa in November 1943.

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The USS Mobile (CL-63) had a significant service record. The keel for the ship was laid down at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on 14 April 1941.

The USS Mobile was launched on 15 May 1942, marking a major milestone in its construction. After being launched, the ship underwent a period of preparation before its commissioning.

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The USS Mobile was commissioned in March 1943, bringing it one step closer to its deployment in the war against Japan. The ship conducted an initial shakedown cruise in Chesapeake Bay to test its capabilities.

Mobile then departed the East Coast of the United States for the Pacific to join the forces waging the war against Japan. The ship arrived in Pearl Harbor on 23 July 1943, where it underwent a month of training to prepare for combat operations.

The USS Mobile's crew was made up of 167 officers and enlisted men, who worked together to operate the ship. They were led by Commander James E. Murray, who commanded the ship from its commissioning in 1942 to 1944.

The USS Mobile was equipped with a range of operations systems, including a 5-inch/38 caliber gun, 4 x 1.1-inch/75 caliber quadruple guns, and 2 x 40mm Bofors guns. These systems allowed the ship to engage enemy targets and defend itself against attacks.

The ship's operations were also supported by its crew's training and experience, with many of the sailors having previously served on other ships in the US Navy.

The crew of the USS Mobile had some experienced leaders at the helm. Commander Charles Julian Wheeler took charge on March 24, 1943, and remained in command until July 29, 1944.

Here are the commanding officers and their dates of service:

Commander Christopher Chaffee Miller took over on July 29, 1944, and served until August 28, 1945.

The USS Mobile (CL 63) had a crew of 14 members, according to the crew list available on the website. These sailors served from 1942 to 1947, with some serving as long as five years.

The crew list includes sailors from different ranks, such as Lieutenant, Seaman 1st Class, and Machinist's Mate. Some sailors served in specific divisions, like L, Cruiser, and V, while others were part of the USNR.

The crew list also includes information about the sailors' time on the ship, with some serving from 1942 to 1945 and others from 1943 to 1946. Some sailors have even provided contact information, such as phone numbers, to connect with others who served with them.

Here is a breakdown of the crew list by rank and division:

Some sailors have also shared personal stories and memories of their time on the USS Mobile (CL 63). For example, one sailor's son shared a story about his father's time on the ship, while another sailor's grandson is researching his service.

The Gilbert Islands Campaign was a significant operation in the Central Pacific during World War II. Mobile played a crucial role in this campaign.

Mobile participated in a raid on Marcus Island on August 31, 1943, and later joined the 5th Fleet for the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign. This marked the first major operation in the island-hopping campaign.

The fleet's carrier force was primarily occupied with isolating targeted islands, neutralizing Japanese forces on surrounding islands, and supporting ground forces as they made their amphibious assaults. Mobile served as part of the defensive screen for the task force's aircraft carriers.

Mobile conducted preparatory raids on Tarawa on September 18, 1943, and was later transferred to Task Group 53.3 by October 21. From there, she sailed west to support landings on Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands.

The USS Mobile (CL-63) was part of Task Force 58 during World War II. It departed Majuro Atoll on February 12, 1944, for operation HAILSTONE.

The task force was a significant operation against the Japanese base at Truk Atoll. Task Force 58 included the USS Enterprise, USS Yorktown, and light carrier USS Belleau Wood, among other ships.

On May 3, 1944, the destroyers of DesRon 55 fuelled from tankers before the force split up.

Task Force 58 departed Majuro Atoll for operation HAILSTONE, a raid against the Japanese base at Truk Atoll, on February 12, 1944.

The task force was made up of several ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the light carrier USS Belleau Wood, and the light cruisers Santa Fé and Mobile.

On May 3, 1944, the destroyers of DesRon 55 had fuelled from the tankers before the force split up.

USS Callaghan made a short stop at Majuro to replenish depth charges and pick up mail before rejoining the Task Group.

Task Group 50.17 proceeded to Pearl Harbour arriving there on May 9, 1944, after parting company with the USS Monongahela, USS Cahaba, and USS Lackawanna.

The destroyers USS Bangust, USS Waterman, and USS Weaver escorted the USS Monongahela, USS Cahaba, and USS Lackawanna to Majuro, which they arrived at the following day.

The Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign was a pivotal event in World War II that took place from June 15 to August 11, 1944. It was a decisive victory for the United States.

The campaign began with the capture of Saipan, an island in the Mariana Islands chain, which provided the Allies with a vital airbase for bombing Japan. The island was secured after a fierce battle that lasted for 77 days.

The next target was Guam, which was recaptured by the US on August 10, 1944, after a brief but intense battle. The recapture of Guam was a significant blow to Japan's defense network.

The campaign culminated in the Battle of Peleliu, which was a bloody and grueling fight that lasted for 73 days. The US ultimately secured the island, but at a high cost in lives and resources.

The Philippine campaign was a pivotal moment in World War II, and Mobile played a crucial role in it.

Mobile and the task force sailed to the Ryukyu Islands and Formosa to neutralize Japanese air forces that could intervene in the upcoming landings.

During the attacks on the Ryukyus, Mobile and two destroyers were detached to sink a Japanese cargo ship, but only found and sank one vessel.

The Formosa Air Battle on 13 October was a turning point in the campaign, as Mobile's sister ship Houston and the heavy cruiser Canberra were torpedoed and badly damaged by Japanese aircraft.

Mobile and several other vessels were detached to cover the withdrawal of the damaged vessels, and the American forces hoped to lure out more Japanese forces to be destroyed.

However, the Americans were detected by Japanese scout aircraft, and the bait was not taken.

Mobile left the formation and returned to TG 38.3, arriving with her unit on 17 October.

The fast carrier task force then turned south to begin attacks on the Philippines themselves, striking targets in the northern Philippines on 20 October.

Mobile continued to operate in the Philippines for the next two months, covering amphibious invasions of islands in the Visayas and on Mindoro.

During this period, Mobile was detached to sail home for repairs and maintenance, stopping in Ulithi on the way.