Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
USS Columbia CL-56
( Light Cruiser )
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
1. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial Marker
Inscription.
USS Columbia CL-56. ( Light Cruiser ).
U.S.S. Columbia CL-56 Commissioned 29 July 1942 Decommissioned 30 November 1946 . Upper Plaque The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the United States Ship Columbia For service as follows: " For outstanding heroism in action as a unit of Task Group 77, 2 operating in support of the initial landings at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines from January 5 to 9, 1945. Engaged in bombardment of hostile shore defenses and in coverage of mine sweeping operations as a Japanese suicide dive bomber plunged to attack, the U.S.S. Columbia promtly opened fire, blasting the target upward and forcing it between foremast and mainmast to crash 50 feet from the side abreast of the bridge and spray the entire forward part of the ship with gasoline. Although saved from serious fires by the quick action of the repair crews. The Columbia suffered severe personnel casualties later the same day when a hostile suicide dive bomber crashed her main deck, put two turrets out of action and caused progressive electrical failures from extensive flooding. Despite her crippled condition and the increased damage resulting from a third suicide crash into the forward battery director. The Columbia stoutly continued her heavy bombardment schedule after each fanatical attack, sending her salvos into enemy gun positions and facilities with punishing effect in gallant support of our assault forces until her vital mission was fulfilled. A resolute and sturdy veteran, complemented by skilled and aggressive officers and men, the Columbia has rendered distinctive service, sustaining and enhancing the finest tradition of the United States Naval Service.", All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. Columbia during the above mentioned period are hereby authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy. , (Lower Plaque) The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the Cruiser Division Twelve For service as follows: "For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese combatatant ships off Empress Augusta Bay, the night of November 1-2, and the hostile air attack of the morning of November 2, 1943. Promptly upon interception of a formation of twelve hostile surface vessels on cours set for Empress Augusta Bay and threatening our newly established beachhead, Cruiser Division Twelve opened fire. Operating at high speed and maneuvering violently under constant fire and sporadic shellfire illumination, these gallant fighting ships confused and disorganized the enemy, throwing off his fire control calculations and, by the fierce and relentless blasts from their own batteries, destroyed one Japanese cruiser and one destroyer and inflicted severe damage on two additional cruisers and two destroyers with only minor damage to our own units. Without fighter cover when attacked during withdrawal by an overwhelming aerial force of high-level and dive bombers with fighter escort, the cruisers sent up an umbrella of five inch- bursts, accurately finding their targets through the shrapnel-filled air and forcing the Japanese to retire with heavy losses. An aggressive daring group, coordinating as one powerful weapon of destruction, Cruiser Division Twelve achieved a notable combat record, made possible only by the courage, seamanship and daring determination of each ship's company, and served with distinction in driving the enemy from his southern strongholds, thereby upholding the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.", All personnel attached to and serving on board the Cleveland, Columbia, Montpelier or the Denver, November 1 -2, 1943, are hereby authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. /S/ James Forrestal James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy , (Left Plaque) U.S.S. Columbia Dec. 1942 Aug. 1945 Actions and Operations The U.S.S. Columbia participated in the following actions and operations against the Japanese during World War II., Capture and defense of Guadalcanal Battle of Rennell Island Consolidation of Solomon Islands New Georgia Group Operation Treasury-Bougainville Operation Battle of Empress Augusta Bay Bismark Archipelago Operation Western Caroline Islands Operation Leyte Operation Battle of Surigao Straits Luzon Operation Lingayen Gulf Landing Balikpapan - Borneo Operation Anti - shipping sweep, East China and Yellow Seas , (Right Plaque) U.S.S. Columbia Dec. 1942 Aug. 1945 In Memory Of those officers and men killed and missing in World War II. The following officers and men while serving on board were killed in action. [List of 44 names] The following officers and men while serving on board were reported missing in action. (List of 16 names) , (Rear Left Panel) Dedicated to perpetuate the memory of the valiant shipmates who served aboard the Gallant ship. U.S.S. Columbia CL-56. Especially those killed in action during World War II Presented by: USS Columbia CL-56 Association April 20, 1991 (List of Contributers) (Rear Center Panel) U.S.S. Columbia CL - 56 The "Gem" of the Ocean Beam 65'-71/2" Length 610' Displacement 10,000 Tons Draft 24'-5" Rated Speed 33 Knots Horsepower 100,000 Main Battery 12-6" 47 Caliber Secondary Battery 12-5" 38 Caliber Antiaircraft Batteries 40 MM Antiaircraft Batteries 20 MM Steamed Mileage 178, 023 , Commissioned 29 July 1942 Decommissioned 30 Nov 1946 , (Rear Right Panel) 29 July 1942 2 Sept. 1945 The Columbia is officially credited with the following: Destruction of 27 planes Assisting in the sinking of 1 Cruiser and 1 Destroyer at the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay and 2 Battleships, 1 Cruiser and 1 Destroyer at the Battle of Surigao Straits, Awards 10 Battlestars 2 Navy Unit Citations
U.S.S. Columbia CL-56
Commissioned 29 July 1942
Decommissioned 30 November 1946
Upper Plaque
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the United States Ship Columbia
For service as follows:
" For outstanding heroism in action as a unit
of Task Group 77, 2 operating in support of
the initial landings at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon,
Philippines from January 5 to 9, 1945. Engaged
in bombardment of hostile shore defenses and
in coverage of mine sweeping operations as
a Japanese suicide dive bomber plunged to
attack, the U.S.S. Columbia promtly opened
fire, blasting the target upward and forcing
it between foremast and mainmast to crash 50
feet from the side abreast of the bridge and
spray the entire forward part of the ship with
gasoline. Although saved from serious fires
by the quick action of the repair crews.
The Columbia suffered severe personnel
casualties later the same day when a
hostile suicide dive bomber crashed her main
deck, put two turrets out of action and
caused progressive electrical failures from
extensive flooding. Despite her crippled condition and the increased damage resulting
from a third suicide crash into the
forward battery director. The Columbia
stoutly continued her heavy bombardment
schedule after each fanatical
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attack, sending
her salvos into enemy gun positions and
facilities with punishing effect in gallant
support of our assault forces until her vital
mission was fulfilled. A resolute and
sturdy veteran, complemented by skilled and
aggressive officers and men, the Columbia has
rendered distinctive service, sustaining and
enhancing the finest tradition of the United
States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving
on board the U.S.S. Columbia during the
above mentioned period are hereby
authorized to wear the Navy Unit
Commendation Ribbon.
James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy.
(Lower Plaque)
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the Cruiser Division Twelve
For service as follows:
"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy
Japanese combatatant ships off Empress Augusta Bay,
the night of November 1-2, and the hostile air attack
of the morning of November 2, 1943. Promptly upon
interception of a formation of twelve hostile surface
vessels on cours set for Empress Augusta Bay and
threatening our newly established beachhead, Cruiser
Division Twelve opened fire. Operating at high speed
and maneuvering violently under constant fire and
sporadic shellfire illumination, these gallant
fighting ships confused and disorganized the enemy,
throwing off his fire control calculations
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
2. USS Columbia CL-56
and, by
the fierce and relentless blasts from their own
batteries, destroyed one Japanese cruiser and one
destroyer and inflicted severe damage on two
additional cruisers and two destroyers with only
minor damage to our own units. Without fighter
cover when attacked during withdrawal by an overwhelming aerial force of high-level and dive
bombers with fighter escort, the cruisers sent up
an umbrella of five inch- bursts, accurately finding
their targets through the shrapnel-filled air and
forcing the Japanese to retire with heavy losses.
An aggressive daring group, coordinating as one
powerful weapon of destruction, Cruiser Division
Twelve achieved a notable combat record, made
possible only by the courage, seamanship and daring
determination of each ship's company, and served
with distinction in driving the enemy from his southern
strongholds, thereby upholding the finest traditions
of the United States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving on board the
Cleveland, Columbia, Montpelier or the Denver,
November 1 -2, 1943, are hereby authorized to wear
the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.
/S/ James Forrestal
James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
(Left Plaque)
U.S.S. Columbia
Dec. 1942 Aug. 1945 Actions and Operations
The U.S.S. Columbia participated in the
following
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
3. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial, upper plaque United States Ship Columbia
(For outstanding heroism in action as a unit)
actions and operations
against the Japanese during
World War II.
Capture and defense of Guadalcanal
Battle of Rennell Island
Consolidation of Solomon Islands
New Georgia Group Operation
Treasury-Bougainville Operation
Battle of Empress Augusta Bay
Bismark Archipelago Operation
Western Caroline Islands Operation
Leyte Operation
Battle of Surigao Straits
Luzon Operation
Lingayen Gulf Landing
Balikpapan - Borneo Operation
Anti - shipping sweep, East China and Yellow Seas
(Right Plaque)
U.S.S. Columbia
Dec. 1942 Aug. 1945 In Memory
Of those officers and men killed and missing in
World War II.
The following officers and men while serving
on board were killed in action.
[List of 44 names]
The following officers and men while serving
on board were reported missing in action.
(List of 16 names)
(Rear Left Panel)
Dedicated to perpetuate
the memory of the valiant
shipmates who served
aboard the Gallant ship.
U.S.S. Columbia CL-56. Especially those killed in action
during World War II
Presented by:
USS Columbia CL-56 Association
April 20, 1991
(List of Contributers)
(Rear Center Panel)
U.S.S. Columbia CL - 56
The
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
4. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial, lower plaque Cruiser Division Twelve
"Gem" of the Ocean
Beam 65'-71/2"
Length 610'
Displacement 10,000 Tons
Draft 24'-5"
Rated Speed 33 Knots
Horsepower 100,000
Main Battery 12-6" 47 Caliber
Secondary Battery 12-5" 38 Caliber
Antiaircraft Batteries 40 MM
Antiaircraft Batteries 20 MM
Steamed Mileage 178, 023
Commissioned 29 July 1942
Decommissioned 30 Nov 1946
(Rear Right Panel)
29 July 1942 2 Sept. 1945
The Columbia is officially credited with the following:
Destruction of 27 planes
Assisting in the sinking of
1 Cruiser and 1 Destroyer
at the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay
and
2 Battleships, 1 Cruiser and 1 Destroyer at the Battle of Surigao Straits
Awards
10 Battlestars
2 Navy Unit Citations
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1895.
Location. 34° 0.111′ N, 81° 2.55′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Memorial is on Washington
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
5. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial, front left plaque
U.S.S. Columbia
Dec. 1942 Aug. 1945 Actions and Operations
Street near Wayne Street, on the left when traveling east. Located in Columbia's Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . USS Columbia (CL-56), Wikipedia entry. Columbia was commissioned in July 1942, and saw service in several campaigns in the Pacific. Like almost all her sister ships, she was decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, and never saw active service again. Columbia was scrapped in the early 1960s... Columbia flew a Confederate Navy Ensign as a battle flag throughout combat in the South Pacific in World War II. This was done in honor of the ship's namesake, the capital
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
6. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial, front right plaque
U.S.S. Columbia
Dec. 1942 Aug. 1945 In Memory
Of those officers and men killed and missing in
World War II.
city of South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union. (Submitted on July 5, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
7. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial Marker, rear view
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
8. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial Marker, rear left panel
Dedicated to perpetuate
the memory of the valiant
shipmates who served
aboard the Gallant ship.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
9. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial Marker center rear panel
U.S.S. Columbia CL - 56
The "Gem" of the Ocean
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2011
10. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial Marker, rear right panel
The Columbia is officially credited with ...
Photographed By USS Columbia Homepage
11. USS Columbia CL-56 Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,526 times since then and 867 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 5, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
