USS Alaska (CB-1) was the lead ship of her class of large cruisers built for the US Navy. Although six ships were planned, only two were completed (Alaska and USS Guam CB-2), Hawaii (CB-3) was scrapped before completion, and the remaining three were never laid down (Philippines, Samoa and Puerto Rico).
Launched on 15 August 1943, Alaska was commissioned on 15 June 1944. Due to being commissioned late in the war, Alaska saw relatively limited service. She participated in operations off Iwo Jima and Okinawa in February–July 1945, including providing anti-aircraft defense for various carrier task forces and conducting limited shore bombardment operations. She shot down several Japanese aircraft off Okinawa, including a possible Ohka piloted missile. In July–August 1945 she participated in sweeps for Japanese shipping in the East China and Yellow Seas. After the end of the war, she assisted in the occupation of Korea and transported a contingent of US Army troops back to the United States. She was decommissioned in February 1947 and placed in reserve, where she remained until she was stricken in 1960 and sold for scrapping the following year.
USS Alaska (CB-1) maneuvers in front of USS Missouri (BB-63) during their shakedown cruise, circa August 1944USS Alaska (CB-1) Photographed from USS Missouri (BB-63) off the U.S. East coast during their shakedown cruise together in August 1944The largest ship is USS Missouri (BB-63), Alaska (CB-1), is on the other side of the pier August 1944USS Alaska (CB-1), in Measure 32 1D camouflage pattern 1944USS Alaska (CB-1) anchored off Philadelphia, 13 November 1944USS Alaska (CB-1) Photographed from the air on 8 August 1944USS Alaska (CB-1) Photographed underway on 11 September 1944USS Alaska (CB-1) Photographed off the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 30 July 1944USS Alaska (CB-1) Photographed off the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 12 November 1944.
In the Pacific
USS Alaska (CB-1) MooredUSS Alaska (CB-1) Starboard side view while underwayUSS Alaska (CB-1) Starboard side view at anchorUSS Alaska (CB-1) Port side view while underway, possibly soon after commissioning.USS Alaska (CB-1) Starboard side view, WWII eraUSS Alaska (CB-1) Port side view while underway, possibly soon after commissioning.USS Alaska (CB-1) Starboard side view while underway, 1945USS Alaska (CB-1) Port side view while underway, possibly soon after commissioning.USS Alaska (CB-1)USS Alaska (CB-1) Port side view while underway, possibly soon after commissioningUSS Alaska (CB-1) forward superstructure and 12 inch gun turretsUSS Alaska Philadelphia Naval Yard 7-30-44USS Alaska (CB-1) as seen from fleet oiler USS Taluga (AO-62), March 1945USS Alaska (CB-1)USS Alaska (CB 1) Aerial view probably taken in the Pacific in 1945.USS Alaska (CB 1) drawingUSS Alaska (CB 1)
Aircraft
Curtiss SC-1 floatplane taxiing up to the landing mat streamed alongside USS Alaska CB-1, to be picked up by the aircraft crane. Photographed on 6 March 1945Curtiss SC-1 floatplane taxiing up to the landing mat streamed alongside USS Alaska CB-1, to be picked up by the aircraft crane. Photographed on 6 March 1945
Detail Photos and Crew
E Division of the USS Alaska (CB-1), 14 December 1944.40mm Gun Tubs, port side aft of USS Alaska CB-1USS Alaska CB-1 Looking forward up starboard side from aftGunner’s Mate First Class Carrick N Thomas passing a clip of four 40mm rounds through a hatch in a 40mm handling room on USS Alaska (CB-1) 6 March 1945Crew of one of USS Alaska (CB-1)’s 40mm quad antiaircraft machine gun mount loading clips into the loaders 6 March 1945USS Alaska (CB-1) firing 5″/38 guns on 5 February 1945, one day before the ship arrived at Ulithi and joined the fast carrier task forceUSS Alaska CB-1 Looking aft from the bowUSS Alaska (CB-1) A detailed view of the forward superstructure and the aircraft catapults, circa 1945
Post War
USS Alaska (CB-1) MooredUSS Alaska (CB-1)
In Reserve and Awaiting Scrapping
ex-Alaska (CB-1) (left) and ex-Washington (BB-56) (right) awaiting scrapping in Newark NJ 30 June 1961USS Alaska (CB-1) and USS Guam (CB-2) in reserve at Bayonne Naval Supply Depot, circa 1960ex-Alaska (CB-1) (left) and ex-Washington (BB-56) (right) awaiting the cutting torch in Newark NJ 30 June 1961ex-Alaska (CB-1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961ex-Alaska (CB-1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961ex-Alaska (CB-1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961The two large ships at right on the near side of the peninsula are Alaska (CB-1) and Guam (CB-2). The next two ships astern are North Carolina (BB-55) and Washington (BB-56). Further astern are (from outboard to inboard) Fargo (CL-106), Albemarle (AV-5) and Wakefield (AP-21). The carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Franklin (CV-13) are at the far left.ex-Alaska (CB-1) (left) and ex-Washington (BB-56) (right) awaiting scrapping in Newark NJ 30 June 1961ex-Alaska (CB 1) being towed to breakers on June 30, 1961