About this Unit
The USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser originally commissioned during World War II in 1944. After serving briefly at the end of the war, she was decommissioned and then converted into a guided missile cruiser, reclassified as CLG-5, and recommissioned in 1960. As a flagship for the U.S. Seventh Fleet, Oklahoma City played a significant role in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and command functions. She continued to serve in the Pacific until her decommissioning in 1979, marking a distinguished career spanning both conventional and missile cruiser eras.
Historical Facts
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Origin as a Light Cruiser: USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) was originally commissioned as a Cleveland-class light cruiser in 1944, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
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Conversion to Guided Missile Cruiser: In 1957, the ship was converted to a guided missile cruiser and re-designated as CLG-5, becoming one of the first ships equipped with the Talos long-range surface-to-air missile system.
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Flagship of the Seventh Fleet: For nearly two decades, Oklahoma City served as the flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, playing a central command role in the Western Pacific.
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Vietnam War Service: The ship took part in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and surface-to-air missile defense for U.S. and allied forces.
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First to Fire Talos in Combat: USS Oklahoma City was the first ship to fire the Talos missile in combat during the Vietnam War, successfully downing a North Vietnamese MiG aircraft in 1972.
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Notable Commanders: The ship was once commanded by Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who later became Chief of Naval Operations and was known for his sweeping reforms of the U.S. Navy.
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Diplomatic Missions: Oklahoma City participated in numerous goodwill visits and exercises with allied navies in Asia, enhancing U.S. diplomatic and military ties in the region.
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Technological Innovations: The ship was a testbed for advanced naval communications and missile guidance technologies throughout her service as a guided missile cruiser.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Oklahoma City was decommissioned in 1979 and later sunk as a target during fleet training exercises in 1999.
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Legacy: The ship's service is commemorated by veterans' associations and in naval history as a key player in the evolution of missile cruisers and Cold War naval operations.
