About this Unit
USS Little Rock (CL-92) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1945, near the end of World War II. Although she missed combat in WWII, Little Rock served with the Atlantic Fleet, participating in training cruises and goodwill missions during the early Cold War years. In the late 1950s, she was converted to a guided missile cruiser (CLG-4/CG-4), equipped with the Talos missile system, and became flagship for the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. Decommissioned in 1976, USS Little Rock now serves as a museum ship at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York.
Historical Facts
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Commissioned in 1945: USS Little Rock (CL-92) was commissioned on June 17, 1945, just as World War II was ending, and thus did not see combat in the conflict.
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Cleveland-class Light Cruiser: She was one of 27 Cleveland-class light cruisers built for the U.S. Navy during World War II, designed for anti-aircraft and surface warfare.
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Early Cold War Service: USS Little Rock participated in various training and goodwill missions in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the early years of the Cold War.
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Converted to a Guided Missile Cruiser: In the late 1950s, Little Rock was converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser (CLG-4/CG-4), receiving the Talos missile system and a new superstructure.
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Flagship Role: After her conversion, she served as the flagship for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, coordinating naval operations during periods of regional tension.
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Involvement in the 1967 Six-Day War: During the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War, USS Little Rock was deployed in the Mediterranean to help protect American interests and evacuate civilians if necessary.
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Unique Museum Ship: After decommissioning in 1976, Little Rock became a museum ship at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York, and is the only Cleveland-class cruiser preserved in the world.
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Connection to USS Liberty Incident: While deployed in the Mediterranean in 1967, USS Little Rock was involved in the aftermath of the USS Liberty incident, coordinating communications and assistance.
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Longest Cleveland-class Cruiser in Service: Due to her missile conversion and extended service as a flagship, Little Rock had one of the longest active careers among Cleveland-class ships.
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Namesake: The ship was named after Little Rock, Arkansas, and is the second U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name. Her bell is displayed at the Arkansas State Capitol.
