Namesake:
The USS HOUSTON (SSN 713) is
the United States Navy's first submarine to be named HOUSTON and
the fourth United States navy vessel named in honor of the city
of HOUSTON, Texas.
The first Houston was originaly the German Freighter
LIEBENFELS, captured during World War I and commissioned USS
HOUSTON (AK-1) in 1917. She served in various transport and
convoy duties in the Atlantic and Pacific until her
decommissioning in 1922.
The second HOUSTON (CA-30) was launched by Newport News
Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co. on September 7,1929, and
commissioned June 17, 1930.
Prior to World War II, she served as the flagship of four
admirals and carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt on four
official cruises.
When the United States entered World War II, HOUSTON was
assigned to the Asiatic Fleet and after transit to Australia she
joined the ABDA ( American-British-Dutch-Australian ) naval
forces at Surabaya, Java.
In the Battle of Java Sea on Febuary 26, 1942, HOUSTON and
the ABDA force boldly engaged a large Japanese invasion fleet
steaming to Java. The battle continued through the night when
HMAS PERTH and USS HOUSTON steamed boldly into Bantea Bay,
hoping to damage the Japanese invasion forces. The cruiser
successfully evaded nine torpedoes launched by Japanese
destroyers, then sank one transport and so severly damaged three
others that they had to beach. Enemy ships blocked Sundra
Strait, their only means of retreat, and two Japanese heavy
cruisers stood dangerously near. The black night was
dramatically illuminated by flashing salvos, bursting shells and
burning ships. Within an hour PERTH was gone and the battered
HOUSTON surrounded.
A champion at bay, her guns blazed in all directions,
sinking or badly damaging eight ships while suffering four
torpedo hits and countless direct shell hits. But her time had
come. By dawn, with her guns smoldering and ensign still proudly
flying she slipped into history.
In addition to two battle stars, Houston was awarded the
Presidential Unit Citation. The third HOUSTON (CL81) was
launched June 19, 1943. The cruiser earned three battle stars
for service in World War II, distinguishing herself in numerous
engagements, including the invasion of the Marianas, the Battle
of the Philippine Sea and the naval assault on Formosa. She was
decommissioned December 15, 1947. |
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