USS ROCHESTER

• Namesake: USS Rochester (CA-124) was named after the city of Rochester, New York. It was the third U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. • Commissioning: The heavy cruiser was commissioned on December 20, 1946, after being laid down during World War II as USS Rochester (CA-124) and completed postwar. • Class: Rochester was a member of the Oregon City-class, a development of the Baltimore-class heavy cruisers, known for their improved bridge design and advanced radar. • Korean War Service: Rochester played a significant role in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces and participating in the Inchon landing in September 1950. • Flagship Duties: The ship often served as flagship for various commanders, including Commander, Cruiser Division ONE and Commander, Seventh Fleet, during deployments in the Pacific. • First Aerial Rescue: On September 20, 1950, a helicopter from USS Rochester rescued a downed British pilot, marking one of the earliest helicopter rescues of a downed aviator at sea in combat. • Missile Conversion Proposal: There were plans to convert Rochester into a guided missile cruiser, but these were canceled, and she retained her original armament throughout her service. • Decommissioning: USS Rochester was decommissioned on August 15, 1961, after 15 years of active service, and was eventually sold for scrap in 1974. • Battle Stars: For her service during the Korean War, Rochester received three battle stars. • Unique Honors: The crew of the Rochester received several unit citations, and the ship itself is remembered for its pioneering integration of helicopters into cruiser operations, helping lay the groundwork for modern naval aviation support.