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| USN Cleveland-class Light cruiser 11,744 Tons (Standard) 14,131 Tons (Maximum) 610' 1" x 66' 4" x 25' 6" 4x3 6" 47 cal Mark 16 guns 6x2 5" 38 cal AA guns 4x4 Quad 40mm AA 8x2 Dual 40mm AA 17 x 20mm AA 4 x floatplanes 2 x stern catapults  USN April 22, 1943  USN 1943 |
Ship History Built by New York Shipbuilding Corp. Laid down December 26, 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser. Launched on April 4, 1942 as USS Denver (CL-58) named for the city of Denver, Colorado sponsored by Miss L. J. Stapleton, daughter of Benjamin F. Stapleton the Mayor of Denver. Commissioned October 15, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN). Wartime History On January 23 1943 departs Philadelphia, PA then transits the Panama Canal and across the Pacific to Havannah Harbor off Efate arriving February 14, 1943. On March 6, 1943 participated in a shore bombardment of Vila on Kolombangara Island. During the Battle of Blackett Strait, her force engaged and sank Japanese destroyers Minegumo and Murasame. On June 29, 1943 at 1:23pm departs Purvis Bay with Task Force 68 (TF 68) "Merrill's Marauders" under the command of Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill as Task Group 36.2 (TG 36.2), Task Unit 36.2.1 (TU 36.2.1) including USS Montpelier (CL-57) flagship with Rear Admiral Merrill embarked, USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Columbia (CL-56), USS Denver (CL-58) with four destroyers USS Waller (DD-466), USS Philip (DD-498), USS Renshaw (DD-499) and USS Saufley (DD-465) for a shore bombardment of Ballale Island, Shortland Island and Poporang Island in the Shortland Islands ahead of the U.S. landings on New Georgia. Meanwhile, Task Unit 36.2.2 (TU 36.2.2) light minelayers USS Preble (DM-20), USS Gamble (DM-15), and USS Breese (DM-18) would conduct a minelaying operation off Shortland Harbor. The formation was led by USS Pringle (DD-477) with the minelayers group followed by the cruisers in a column 1,000 yards apart. At 5:45pm USS Waller (DD-466) and USS Renshaw (DD-499) left formation for a bombardment of Vila-Stanmore on Kolombangara after sunset as a diversion. On June 30, 1943 at 12:15am USS Waller (DD-466) and USS Renshaw (DD-499) rejoined the formation. At 12:40am USS Pringle (DD-477) and the three minelayers leave formation and began laying mines. At 1:13am heavy rain began causing poor visibility. At 1:54am USS Montpelier (CL-57) opens fire. At 1:55am Denver commenced fire to starboard targeting Ballale Island at a range of 16,400 yards (9.3 miles). Denver used both SG radar and FH radar to target "Point Obe" on the center of the island and "Point Yoke" on the southeast corner. The first salvo was deliberately fired into the sea 200 yards to the left of "Point Yoke" to obtain a clear radar trace that was observed by the FH radar then rapid fire salvos were laid at points 1-80. The rear FH radar failed after the first salvo and the range finder aimed at "Point Obe" for reference and were in close agreement with the radar. Aside for the first salvo, all subsequent were deemed to land on the target. At 2:10am ceased fire 80 salvos expending 709 rounds of 6" without casualty and no return fire was observed. This was the deepest penetration by Allied warships into enemy held territory to date. On July 11, 1943 at 5:08pm underway from Berth No. 8 in Purvis Bay with Task Group 36.9 (TG 36.9) under the command of Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill in column with USS Montpelier (CL-57) flagship with Rear Admiral Merrill embarked, USS Denver (CL-58), USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Columbia (CL-56) with USS Pringle (DD-477) on a night mission to patrol off New Georgia and bombardment of Munda. At 9:07pm made radar contact with two unidentified targets. At 9:34 spotted two flares dropped by a plane ahead. On July 12, 1943 from midnight until 2:54am patrolled a point 20 miles north of Visu Visu but made no contact with enemy forces then returns at 9:43am to Berth No. 8 in Purvis Bay. On October 31, 1943 Denver sortied from Purvis Bay with Task Force 39 (TF 39) to support the U.S. landings in Empress Augusta Bay off western Bougainville. On November 1, 1943 Task Force 39 (TF 39) was instructed to intercept an enemy force attempting to disrupt the U.S. landings off western Bougainville. Battle of Empress Augusta Bay On November 2, 1943 at 2:27am the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay begins with the U.S. warships sinking an enemy light cruiser and a destroyer and damaged two heavy cruisers and two destroyers, while the four other enemy ships broke off the action and retired. During the heavy firing Denver was hit by three 8 inch shells which fortunately did not explode. She shared in the Navy Unit Commendation awarded her division for its outstanding performance in this battle. USS Denver covered the support landings on Cape Torokina on 10 November and 11 November 1943. On November 13, 1943 Task Force 39 (TF 39) were targeted by Japanese planes with Denver hit by an aerial torpedo that knocked out all power and communications and killed 20 of her crew. Afterwards, towed by USS Sioux (AT-75) back to Port Purvis and by USS Pawnee (ATF-74) to Espiritu Santo for temporary repairs, then sailed to Mare Island for permanent repairs, arriving 2 January 1944. Denver returned to the forward area at Eniwetok, arriving 22 June 1944. Eight days later she put to sea to screen carriers as they launched strikes to neutralize Japanese bases in the Bonins and Marianas during the invasion of the Marianas. She bombarded Iwo Jima 4 July, and after screening continued air assaults returned to Eniwetok 5 August. Denver sailed from Port Purvis 6 September 1944 for the invasion of the Palau. She bombarded Angaur September 12-18 then covered a task unit engaged in minesweepmg, reconnaissance and underwater demolition operations before the landings on Ulithi 23 September. She returned to Manus on 28 September to prepare for the return to the Philippines. Philippines Operations Denver departed 12 October 1944 for the landings on Leyte, bombarding Suluan Island and Dulag to open the vast invasion fleet's way into Leyte Gulf, then sailed on to bombard the southern landing beaches. As the Japanese sent the major portion of their remaining combatant fleet south in a desperate attempt to break up the landings, Denver's group took station in Surigao Strait on 24 October to prevent the passage of the Japanese Southern Force into Leyte Gulf. Attacks were made by motor torpedo boats and destroyers stationed in advance of the battle line, and battleship Yamashiro, heavy cruiser Mogami, and destroyer Shigure were all that remained of the Japanese ships when Denver and the others of the battle line opened fire at 03:51. With three other cruisers, she made a material contribution to the cumulative gunfire which sank Yamashiro. Mogami was later sunk by aircraft, and Shigure was the sole survivor of the mighty fleet which had sailed forth for this phase of the decisive Battle for Leyte Gulf. After this action, Denver sailed to aid in polishing off enemy cripples, aiding in sinking destroyer Asagumo early in the day on 25 October. Continuing her service in Leyte Gulf, she fought off numerous attacks; during the one of 28 October a bomb released from one of the planes she shot down exploded nearby causing minor damage and slight flooding. She screened reinforcement landings in November and fought off a suicide attack on 27 November, suffering four men wounded from fragments of a bomb which exploded 200 yards off the starboard quarter. She joined the heavy covering group, for the Mindoro landings of 13 December to 16 December, then returned to Manus 24 December. Returning to San Pedro Bay 3 January 1945 Denver sortied the next day to cover the landings at Lingayen Gulf. She remained in the Philippines to join in the consolidation of those islands. She covered the landings on Zambales on 29 January and 30 January, supported minesweeping near and landings on Grande Island; provided fire support at Nasugbu on 31 January; escorted a replenishment convoy to Mindoro between 1 February and 7 February; covered the Army landings around Mariveles Bay from 13 February to 16 February, rescuing the survivors of mined La Vallette; and supported the operations on Palawan and Mindanao Islands from February to May. Borneo On 7 June 1945 Denver sailed from Subic Bay for the amphibious assaults on Brunei Bay and Balikpapan. She covered the preinvasion work of minesweeping units and underwater demolition teams, and provided fire support for the invading troops until returning to San Pedro Bay, Leyte, 4 July for brief overhaul. Okinawa Departed for Okinawa 13 July 1945 to hunt Japanese shipping off the China coast until 7 August. She sailed from Okinawa 9 September to cover the evacuation of men of the Allied forces rescued from prison camps in the Wakayama area and covered the landing of occupation troops at Wakanoura Wan from 25 September to 20 October, when she sailed for home. Postwar Denver arrived at Norfolk 21 November 1945 and after overhaul, reported to Newport, R.I., in January 1946 for duty training men of the Naval Reserve, and a good-will visit to Quebec, Canada. In April 1946 arrived Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she was placed out of commission and into reserve February 7, 1947. Awards Denver earned 11 battle stars for her World War II service. She shared a Navy Unit Commendation for her role in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay. Fate On February 29, 1960 sold for scrap and broken up. References NARA USS Denver War History NARA USS Denver Operational Log & War Diary June 1, 1943 to June 30, 1943 NARA USS Denver Operational Log & War Diary July 1, 1943 to July 31, 1943 NARA USS Denver Action Report, U.S.S. Denver Bombardment of Ballale Island Night of 29-30 June 1943 Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Denver II (CL-58) Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Night Surface Action off New Georgia 6 March 1943 NavSource - USS Denver CL-58 (photos) Contribute
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