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The One Ship Fleet: USS Boise—WWII Naval Legend, 1938–45
The story of the light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47), one of the most famous US combat ships of World War II.
The Brooklyn-class light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) was one of the most famous US combat ships of World War II, already internationally renowned following her participation in the naval battles in the Solomons in 1942. After repairs and modifications, in 1943 the Boise was sent to the Mediterranean theater, there to participate in the invasions of Sicily, Taranto, and Salerno, and enhancing her fame by destroying enemy tanks during armored counterattacks in both Sicily and Salerno.
From the Mediterranean, Boise was sent to the Southwest Pacific theater to join the US 7th Fleet for the campaign in New Guinea in 1943–44 and then the invasion of the Philippines. She fought in the battle of Leyte Gulf, notably in the night engagement in the Surigao Strait, where battleships faced off against each other for the last time in maritime history. Boise was credited with helping to sink a Japanese battleship. She also fought off the suicide planes known as kamikazes at Leyte and later at Lingayen Gulf during the invasion of Luzon. MacArthur used her as his flagship for the Luzon attack, thereby adding to her already considerable fame, then after helping retake Corregidor and other islands in the Philippines, Boise carried the general on a triumphant tour of the islands. This tour was interrupted for the invasion of Borneo, but completed when the beach was secured. After MacArthur left the ship in June 1945, she returned to the US for overhaul which was just complete as the war ended, by which time she had been awarded 11 battle stars, more than any other light cruiser in her class.
This full account of USS Boise’s war not only gives us an insight into how one ship navigated a global conflict, but also an insight into the experiences of the men who served on her, and a new perspective on the naval campaigns of the war.
The Brooklyn-class light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) was one of the most famous US combat ships of World War II, already internationally renowned following her participation in the naval battles in the Solomons in 1942. After repairs and modifications, in 1943 the Boise was sent to the Mediterranean theater, there to participate in the invasions of Sicily, Taranto, and Salerno, and enhancing her fame by destroying enemy tanks during armored counterattacks in both Sicily and Salerno.
From the Mediterranean, Boise was sent to the Southwest Pacific theater to join the US 7th Fleet for the campaign in New Guinea in 1943–44 and then the invasion of the Philippines. She fought in the battle of Leyte Gulf, notably in the night engagement in the Surigao Strait, where battleships faced off against each other for the last time in maritime history. Boise was credited with helping to sink a Japanese battleship. She also fought off the suicide planes known as kamikazes at Leyte and later at Lingayen Gulf during the invasion of Luzon. MacArthur used her as his flagship for the Luzon attack, thereby adding to her already considerable fame, then after helping retake Corregidor and other islands in the Philippines, Boise carried the general on a triumphant tour of the islands. This tour was interrupted for the invasion of Borneo, but completed when the beach was secured. After MacArthur left the ship in June 1945, she returned to the US for overhaul which was just complete as the war ended, by which time she had been awarded 11 battle stars, more than any other light cruiser in her class.
This full account of USS Boise’s war not only gives us an insight into how one ship navigated a global conflict, but also an insight into the experiences of the men who served on her, and a new perspective on the naval campaigns of the war.
- GenresWorld War II
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2023
23 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 11, 2023
ok so i came straight from Matterhorn (actually good) to THIS, so you’ll have to take that into account with my disappointment. this book was just like a dry compilation of public domain facts about the Boise, when it wasn’t off the rails patriotic celebration of war (sprinkled with little racist/sexist tidbits NOT disavowed by the author) annnnd while i’m aware that it’s a book about a battleship, this book could only appeal to a severely USA!!! USA!!!! -poisoned grandpa and we don’t have a lot of those left due to how time works.
i’ve read much more informative and balanced naval/maritime biographies and this book came off smelling like chewing tobacco and cigar smoke in my mind.
which i’m aware may be a recommendation for some of you and if so, enjoy, there’s no need to comment and yell at me about how much you get a raging erection from wrapping yourself in the flag
i’ve read much more informative and balanced naval/maritime biographies and this book came off smelling like chewing tobacco and cigar smoke in my mind.
which i’m aware may be a recommendation for some of you and if so, enjoy, there’s no need to comment and yell at me about how much you get a raging erection from wrapping yourself in the flag
December 4, 2024
Worth reading.
I read this book because my father served aboard USS Boise from early in 1942 until May 1945. He was injured during the battle of Cape Esperance , surviving only because his battle station was changed shortly before. He never really talked about what he lived through during his time aboard Boise, so reading this has given me a great appreciation for his experiences.
The author mentions books by Langelo and Hornfischer, which recommend as well.
I read this book because my father served aboard USS Boise from early in 1942 until May 1945. He was injured during the battle of Cape Esperance , surviving only because his battle station was changed shortly before. He never really talked about what he lived through during his time aboard Boise, so reading this has given me a great appreciation for his experiences.
The author mentions books by Langelo and Hornfischer, which recommend as well.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews