photo #2723984

USS Macon (CA-132), a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, was laid down on 14 June 1943 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey and commissioned on 26 August 1945. Macon's first fleet assignment was with the 8th Fleet, which she joined soon after her shakedown cruise on 1946. With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, became the flagship of Cruiser Division 6 in the Atlantic. She patrolled in the eastern Mediterranean during the Suez Crisis of 1956. Besides these duties, Macon continued to receive experimental equipment for testing throughout the period. Having also received missile equipment during January–March 1956. On the night of 19–20 January 1959, Macon, steaming from Cartagena to Marseille, diverted from her course and sped to the aid of burning Italian merchant ship Maria Amata. Macon's crew fought the flames, but the ship was soon beyond salvage. Macon then carried the merchantman's crew to Valencia, Spain. Macon was placed out of commission in reserve at Philadelphia on 10 March 1961. Scrapped on 5 July 1973 in Port Newark, New Jersey.