USS Juneau CL-52

The USS Juneau was an Atlanta-class light cruiser and the first Navy ship to bear the name. Construction began on the vessel on May 27, 1940 and she was launched under the sponsorship of Mrs. Harry I. Lucas on October 25, 1941. She was commissioned on February 14, 1942 under the command of Captain Lyman K. Swenson.

History

The Juneau had her shakedown cruise along the Atlantic coast that spring, and then in May 1942, she was sent to the Martinique and Guadeloupe Islands to act as part of the blockade. She then returned to New York for alterations before operating in the Atlantic and the Caribbean for most of the summer. In late August, the Juneau was sent to the Pacific Theater.

On September 10, the Juneau joined Task Force 18 and the next day the Task Force combined with Task Force 17 to make up Task Force 61. The new Task Force was in charge of carrying fighter planes to Guadalcanal. On September 15, one of the ships in the force was sunk by a Japanese submarine and the Juneau assisted in rescuing over 1900 survivors and took them to Espiritu Santo. She rejoined the Task Force back at Guadalcanal afterwards.

The first major action the Juneau was involved in was the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in late October. On October 24, the Juneau and the rest of the Task Force joined the Enterprise's group to recreate Task Force 61. Their mission was to intercept enemy units that might try to close Guadalcanal.

On October 26, the carrier planes intercepted the enemy forces and attacked. At about 10 AM, more than 20 aircraft attacked the Hornet, and the Juneau and other ships attacked back. However, the Hornet was badly damaged and sunk as a result of the damage. A few hours later, the Juneau left the Hornet to assist the Enterprise. She was able to retire later that evening, having been successful in turning back the Japanese.

On November 8, the Juneau joined Task Force 67 to escort reinforcements headed for Guadalcanal. As the ships were unloading, the Japanese attacked. The ships, which had been alerted, fired back, and the Juneau was able to shoot down six planes. On the 13th, the enemy was engaged again, but bad weather and poor communication interfered with the battle.

The Juneau was later hit by a torpedo and she was forced to withdraw along with the Helena and the San Francisco, which had also been damaged. The three ships headed back towards Espiritu Santo when the Juneau was hit again. An explosion occurred, and she split in half and sunk as a result

Asbestos Hazards

The Juneau was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, a shipyard that was active from 1917 to 1949. Operated by the United States Steel Corporation, it was a member of the Emergency Shipbuilding Program and responsible for many of the ships used during the war.

Like other shipyards of the time, the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company used asbestos extensively. When asbestos is used, tiny particles can break off and become airborne. If these particles are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs and result in the development of asbestosis or mesothelioma.

If you have served on the Juneau or worked for the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may have legal options for compensation. Please fill out the request form on this page to receive a free informational packet.

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