Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
USS Oakland Mast
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
1. USS Oakland Mast Marker
Captions: The USS OAKLAND was presented in Tokyo Bay to witness the surrender ceremonies ending World War II (left); The ship, which weighed six thousand tons and was 530 feet ( nearly two city blocks) in length, was the smallest cruiser built by the Navy since 1905 (center); The USS OAKLAND, returning to San Francisco Bay in 1953 (center, top); Petty Officer First Class Audrey West, US Navy, presenting the USS OAKLAND’s flag to Oakland Mayor Herbert L. Beach, October 1945 (center bottom); Pages from a book published by the Oakland City Council and Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the ship’s return to the Bay Area in 1945 (sidebar).
The ship’s mast in front of you is salvaged from the USS Oakland, an anti-aircraft cruiser – typical of many ships that received supplies sent from the Oakland Naval Supply Depot during World War II. The Oakland was assigned to the fast carrier strike force. The force was a self-defending convoy of aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers, submarines and cruisers, equipped to travel at speeds over 30 knots. The Oakland participated in many of the war’s major battles and historic actions, earning nine Battle Stars and numerous other medals.Life of a ship:
Construction began at Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, July 1941
Launched, October 1942
Commissioned – official acceptance into the Navy, July 1943
Sailed for Pearl Harbor, November 1943
Decommissioned – retired from active duty, 1949
Struck from active list, March 1959
Sold for scrap, December 1959
Mainmast & nameplate salvaged by the Navy and presented to Oakland: November 1965
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. USS Oakland CL-AA 95 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); John "Alex" Alexander (approx. ¼ mile away); Rear Admiral R.J. "Bear" Arnold, U.S.N. (approx. ¼ mile away); Training Wall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chappell Roland Hayes (approx. half a mile away); Western Pacific Mole (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Shorey House (approx. 1.1 miles away); West Oakland and Prescott (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.
More about this marker. This marker is located in Middle Harbor Shoreline Park.
Additional keywords. USS Oakland Mast
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
2. USS Oakland Mast Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
3. USS Oakland Mast
Photographed By Unknown, 1945
4. USS Oakland CL-95
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 802 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
