USS Oklahoma City CLG-5

The USS Oklahoma City was originally a Cleveland-class light cruiser, but she was later converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser. Construction began on December 8, 1942 and she was launched on February 20, 1944 under the sponsorship of Mrs. Anton H. Classen. She was then commissioned on December 22, 1944 under the command of Captain C. B. Hunt.

History of the USS Oklahoma City CLG-5

After her shakedown, the Oklahoma City crossed the Panama Canal and joined the Commander Cruisers Pacific Fleet, arriving in Pearl Harbor in May of 1945. She operated locally for a few weeks before being sent to Ulithi to join Carrier Task Group 38.1 for operations on Okinawa. June and July were spent with the 3rd Fleet in air operations against the Japanese.

Once the hostilities were over, the Oklahoma City patrolled along the coast of Japan for 72 consecutive days before entering Tokyo Bay. She remained on duty until late January 1946 and she arrived back in San Francisco on February 14. From there, she went to the Mare Island Navy Yard in mid-August to be inactivated and placed in reserve.

On March 7, 1957, the Oklahoma City was sent to Bethlehem Steel Corporation Pacific Coast Yard to be converted to a Galveston-class guided missile light cruiser. Her hull classification number was changed to CLG-5, and work was completed in late August 1960. That September, she was recommissioned under the command of Captain Ben W. Sarver.

The Oklahoma City then underwent her shakedown, becoming the first unit in the Pacific Fleet to fire a Talos guided missile. From there, she participated in training exercises, and on December 1, she was deployed to the Western Pacific. She arrived in Yokosuka, Japan on Christmas Eve where she became the flagship for the 7th Fleet. There she worked on training and ambassador missions before returning to Long Beach, California on June 12, 1962 for an overhaul.

In 1964, the Oklahoma City had refresher training before leaving again for Yokosuka. She arrived on July 7 and again became the flagship of the 7th Fleet. The North Vietnamese attacked U.S. destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf and the Oklahoma City was placed on alert. In June 1965, after training and operations, the Oklahoma City began support missions off of Vietnam, spending more time in the South China Sea. She was sent back to the San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard in December 1966 for another overhaul.

After her overhaul, the Oklahoma City underwent refresher training and then remained locally until November 1968 when she was sent out again to the Western Pacific. She arrived back in Yokosuka in late December, remaining there until August 1969. In 1971, the Oklahoma City became the first ship to successfully fire a surface-to-surface missile while in combat, destroying a North Vietnamese mobile air control radar van. She was slightly damaged during an attack in 1972.

The Oklahoma City was decommissioned on December 15, 1979 and then sunk as a target during exercises 20 years later. She was the last Cleveland-class cruiser in service and had the longest service history of the ships in her class. She is commemorated at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Asbestos Hazards

The Oklahoma City had a long and successful career as a battleship, serving successfully in two major wars. However, she was not without her risks, a major one being the risk of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used during the construction of Navy ships because it was resistant to heat and fire and was inexpensive. It also acted as a great insulator, particularly around boilers and steam pipes. However, the workers using the asbestos were not informed of the risks.

When asbestos is used, tiny particles break off and contaminate the air. If inhaled, they can become lodged in the body's organs and eventually lead to the development of asbestosis and mesothelioma. Anyone who worked on the construction of the Oklahoma City or performed her repairs and upkeep would have been at risk for exposure. Also at risk were the men that served aboard her, particularly the ones working in the boiler and engine rooms.

If you served aboard the Oklahoma City or worked on her during construction or one of her overhauls and have since been diagnosed with an asbestos-related medical condition, you may have legal options for compensation. For more information, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a free informational packet.

Cruisers Index