About this Unit
USS Topeka (CLG-8) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, originally commissioned in 1944 during World War II. She served in the Pacific theater, participating in operations off Okinawa and supporting the occupation of Japan. After the war, Topeka was decommissioned but later modernized and recommissioned in 1960 as a guided missile cruiser (CLG-8), equipped with the Talos missile system. During the 1960s, she served extensively in the Western Pacific, including multiple deployments to Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and serving as flagship for various task groups before her final decommissioning in 1969.
Historical Facts
• Converted Cruiser: USS Topeka (CLG-8) was originally commissioned as a Cleveland-class light cruiser (CL-67) during World War II and later converted to a guided missile cruiser (CLG-8) in the late 1950s.
• World War II Service: As CL-67, Topeka participated in major Pacific Theater operations, including the bombardment of Japanese positions and air-sea rescue missions.
• Guided Missile Upgrade: In 1957, Topeka underwent a significant refit at the New York Naval Shipyard, receiving the Terrier surface-to-air missile system and advanced radar, transforming her into a modern missile cruiser.
• Recommissioned in the Cold War: Topeka was recommissioned as CLG-8 in 1960, symbolizing the U.S. Navy's shift toward missile-armed warships during the Cold War.
• Vietnam War Deployment: Topeka served multiple tours off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support for allied troops and participating in Operation Sea Dragon.
• Flagship Duties: The ship served as flagship for Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 7, leading task groups in the Pacific and demonstrating the Navy’s forward presence strategy.
• Unusual Name: Topeka is named after the capital of Kansas, making her one of the few U.S. Navy ships named after an inland city.
• Presidential Visit: In 1966, while stationed in the Western Pacific, USS Topeka was visited by then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey, highlighting her importance during the Vietnam conflict.
• Humanitarian Missions: Topeka participated in search and rescue operations and provided disaster relief in the Pacific, showcasing the versatility of naval forces beyond combat roles.
• Decommissioning and Legacy: USS Topeka was decommissioned in 1969 and later sold for scrap, but her legacy lives on in the current Los Angeles-class submarine USS Topeka (SSN-754), carrying the name forward into the modern fleet.
