About this Unit
USS Helena (CA-75) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in September 1945, shortly after the end of World War II. She played a significant role during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces and participating in the Inchon landings in 1950. Helena later served in the Pacific, conducting patrols and training missions during the early years of the Cold War. Decommissioned in 1963, USS Helena earned several battle stars for her distinguished service before being sold for scrap.
Historical Facts
• Namesake Heritage: USS Helena (CA-75) was the third U.S. Navy ship named after Helena, Montana, following a light cruiser lost in the Battle of Kula Gulf in 1943.
• Baltimore-class Cruiser: She was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, one of the most advanced and powerful classes of cruisers built during World War II, although she was commissioned just after the war ended, in 1945.
• Korean War Service: Helena played a significant combat role during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces, including the famous Inchon landings in September 1950.
• Flagship Duties: The ship often served as flagship for various task forces, including Task Force 95 (the United Nations Blockading and Escort Force) during the Korean War.
• Presidential Visit: President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower visited USS Helena in November 1952 while she was stationed in Korean waters, boosting morale among American and Allied sailors.
• Operation "Passage to Freedom": In 1954, Helena participated in this humanitarian operation, helping to evacuate Vietnamese civilians from North to South Vietnam following the Geneva Accords.
• Peacetime Roles: Beyond combat, Helena conducted numerous goodwill visits and training missions throughout the Pacific, visiting countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and more.
• Damage and Repairs: In 1950, Helena struck a mine off the Korean coast, suffering significant damage but managing to return to port for repairs, a testament to her crew’s resilience.
• Technological Upgrades: Throughout her service, Helena received several modernizations, including advanced radar and anti-aircraft weaponry, keeping her at the forefront of cruiser capabilities during the early Cold War.
• Decommissioning and Fate: USS Helena was decommissioned in 1963 and sold for scrap in 1974, but her legacy continues through numerous honors, including nine battle stars for her service in Korea.
