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The Mighty A: The Short, Heroic Life of the USS Atlanta (CL-51): America's First Warship Commissioned After Pearl Harbor
“This microhistory of the birth, life, and death of an American cruiser offers valuable insight into the early years of World War II, including the procedures, processes, and personnel of the Navy, naval life, and naval warfare. The account of its loss in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal is particularly gripping.” — Craig Symonds, author of Nimitz at War
Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy’s leadership discovered that the surface fleet was highly vulnerable to air attack, thanks to the introduction of drone aircraft that could simulate attacks on its warships. The Navy’s gunners simply did not have the coordinated firepower to knock them down. Recognition of this vulnerability resulted in a new class of warship led by USS Atlanta.
The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the nation. Following the declaration of war, lines formed outside of recruiting stations as Americans desired to don the uniform. With Margaret Mitchell serving as the ship’s sponsor, Atlanta’s commissioning on Christmas Eve 1941 served as a rallying point for a country weary of bad news overseas. Some of those new recruits would find their way to Atlanta’s quarterdeck. For the capital of the Peachtree State, the ship was not only a source of civic pride, but a reason for many young men to join the Navy with the promise of assignment.
The commanding officer, Captain Samuel Jenkins, had just weeks to ready a group of nearly 700 sailors—the majority having no seagoing experience—into a crew that could effectively fight the ship in combat. Joining the Pacific Fleet in time for the epic Battle of Midway, Atlanta's guns would fire the first salvos in the vicious Naval Battle of Guadalcanal early on November 13, 1942. Heavily damaged by gunfire and torpedoes, Atlanta would be scuttled later that day, only hours after the tragic loss of sister ship Juneau (CL-52).
Atlanta was awarded five battle stars for her World War II service and a Presidential Unit Citation for her “fighting spirit” in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. This first comprehensive account of Atlanta’s war covers her construction, commissioning, and full war service.
Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy’s leadership discovered that the surface fleet was highly vulnerable to air attack, thanks to the introduction of drone aircraft that could simulate attacks on its warships. The Navy’s gunners simply did not have the coordinated firepower to knock them down. Recognition of this vulnerability resulted in a new class of warship led by USS Atlanta.
The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the nation. Following the declaration of war, lines formed outside of recruiting stations as Americans desired to don the uniform. With Margaret Mitchell serving as the ship’s sponsor, Atlanta’s commissioning on Christmas Eve 1941 served as a rallying point for a country weary of bad news overseas. Some of those new recruits would find their way to Atlanta’s quarterdeck. For the capital of the Peachtree State, the ship was not only a source of civic pride, but a reason for many young men to join the Navy with the promise of assignment.
The commanding officer, Captain Samuel Jenkins, had just weeks to ready a group of nearly 700 sailors—the majority having no seagoing experience—into a crew that could effectively fight the ship in combat. Joining the Pacific Fleet in time for the epic Battle of Midway, Atlanta's guns would fire the first salvos in the vicious Naval Battle of Guadalcanal early on November 13, 1942. Heavily damaged by gunfire and torpedoes, Atlanta would be scuttled later that day, only hours after the tragic loss of sister ship Juneau (CL-52).
Atlanta was awarded five battle stars for her World War II service and a Presidential Unit Citation for her “fighting spirit” in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. This first comprehensive account of Atlanta’s war covers her construction, commissioning, and full war service.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 16, 2026
“Might A” shares the story of the development, commissioning and service life of USS Atlanta. David Winkler provides a clearer picture of her combat career in the SWPA and especially on the night of November 13, 1942.
There have been many myths attributed to the fighting in Ironbottom Sound. I have heard stories and read accounts where Atlanta engaged the Japanese BB Hiei at point-blank range, killing or wounding most of her flag staff in the pagoda.
While much of the reality of these nighttime engagements has been lost to time, Winkler tries to paint as accurate a picture as possible. It seems the author has accredited Atlanta with the Japanese destroyer Akatsuki. Some of Atlanta’s first salvos in the engagement appeared to have caused fatal damage to the Japanese ship. Following this brief action, shellfire from Japanese DD’s and cruisers caused significant damage to Atlanta. A torpedo forward caused incredible damage, leading to her loss of power. The fatal blows appeared to be from Japanese BB fire that killed Admiral Scott and most of his command staff and especially a rather horrific friendly fire incident from USS San Francisco that killed many of the gun crews.
I was impressed with the information regarding the extensive work done by the surviving crew to keep her afloat. While there seemed to be an outside chance she could have been saved, Japanese air strikes and the threat of further engagement appear to support that rightful scuttling.
Mighty A is a quick and enjoyable read and is a worthy addition to those with an interest in the Guadalcanal naval battles of 1942.
There have been many myths attributed to the fighting in Ironbottom Sound. I have heard stories and read accounts where Atlanta engaged the Japanese BB Hiei at point-blank range, killing or wounding most of her flag staff in the pagoda.
While much of the reality of these nighttime engagements has been lost to time, Winkler tries to paint as accurate a picture as possible. It seems the author has accredited Atlanta with the Japanese destroyer Akatsuki. Some of Atlanta’s first salvos in the engagement appeared to have caused fatal damage to the Japanese ship. Following this brief action, shellfire from Japanese DD’s and cruisers caused significant damage to Atlanta. A torpedo forward caused incredible damage, leading to her loss of power. The fatal blows appeared to be from Japanese BB fire that killed Admiral Scott and most of his command staff and especially a rather horrific friendly fire incident from USS San Francisco that killed many of the gun crews.
I was impressed with the information regarding the extensive work done by the surviving crew to keep her afloat. While there seemed to be an outside chance she could have been saved, Japanese air strikes and the threat of further engagement appear to support that rightful scuttling.
Mighty A is a quick and enjoyable read and is a worthy addition to those with an interest in the Guadalcanal naval battles of 1942.
November 16, 2025
Winkler has written a nice, 224 page ship history of the light cruiser USS Atlanta. The Atlanta holds a number of distinctions. It was the first US Navy ship commissioned following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Atlanta offered anti-aircraft and escort support for ship movements as part of the Guadalcanal campaign, but the most critical moment was when she served in the November 13, 1942 naval battle off Guadalcanal, carrying Admiral Dale Scott in the battle.
Winkler tells the life of the ship from concept, design, construction, commissioning, war service, to her end off the waters off Guadalcanal. Winkler adds details such as the US Navy's efforts to lead sailors from Georgia to be part of her crew and the commissioning process involving Margret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind.
Winkler weaves in stories from the Atlanta's crew throughout the history, adding perspective on these different phases, particular her role in the center of the Friday the 13th battle, the efforts to save the ship, and the disposition of the survivors.
A well written ship history of a ship with a dramatic, short career in WW2.
Winkler tells the life of the ship from concept, design, construction, commissioning, war service, to her end off the waters off Guadalcanal. Winkler adds details such as the US Navy's efforts to lead sailors from Georgia to be part of her crew and the commissioning process involving Margret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind.
Winkler weaves in stories from the Atlanta's crew throughout the history, adding perspective on these different phases, particular her role in the center of the Friday the 13th battle, the efforts to save the ship, and the disposition of the survivors.
A well written ship history of a ship with a dramatic, short career in WW2.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews