USS Oklahoma City CLG - 5

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Technological Innovations: The ship was a testbed for advanced naval communications and missile guidance technologies throughout her service as a guided missile cruiser. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Oklahoma City was decommissioned in 1979 and later sunk as a target during fleet training exercises in 1999. • 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.