USS Saint Paul (CA-73)

• Commissioning and Namesake: USS Saint Paul (CA-73) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser commissioned on February 17, 1945. She was named after the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. • World War II Service: The ship joined the Pacific Fleet late in World War II and participated in the final operations against Japan, including bombardments of the Japanese home islands. • Tokyo Bay Presence: USS Saint Paul was present in Tokyo Bay during the formal Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945, marking the end of World War II. • Korean War Action: Saint Paul served with distinction in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support during key battles such as Inchon and the evacuation of Hungnam. • Flagship Duty: She served as flagship for various Task Forces and Fleets, including the Seventh Fleet, during her operational career. • Vietnam War Service: The ship saw extensive combat action in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support for ground troops and participating in "Operation Sea Dragon." • Only Baltimore-class Ship with an All-Gun Armament: Saint Paul was the last Baltimore-class heavy cruiser to retain her original all-gun configuration throughout her service, never receiving guided missiles. • Longest Serving Baltimore-class Cruiser: She was the longest-serving heavy cruiser of her class, remaining in active service from 1945 until her decommissioning in 1971. • Earned Multiple Battle Stars: USS Saint Paul earned a total of 14 battle stars for her service—1 for World War II, 7 for the Korean War, and 6 for the Vietnam War. • Final Fate: After her decommissioning on April 30, 1971, USS Saint Paul was sold for scrap in 1980, ending the legacy of one of the U.S. Navy’s most storied heavy cruisers.