photo #2338894

USS Oklahoma City was one of 27 United States Navy Cleveland-class light cruisers completed during or shortly after World War II. Commissioned in late 1944, she participated in the latter part of the Pacific War in anti-aircraft screening and shore bombardment roles, for which she earned two battle stars.In the late 1950s she was converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser, which involved removing all her main guns except for her forward 6-inch (152 mm) turret, and rebuilding her entire superstructure to accommodate the Talos missile system and flagship office spaces and accommodation. She served extensively in the Pacific, playing a prominent role in the Vietnam War, including participation in the evacuation of Saigon. Oklahoma City was worked hard in shore bombardment duty during the war. She was decommissioned in December 1979. Oklahoma City was sunk during a weapons training exercise on 26 March 1999.