The USS San Diego Memorial

You are now standing in front of the USS San Diego Memorial, a military monument honoring the USS San Diego, a World War II light cruiser and one of the most highly decorated ships in the U.S. Navy. Officially designated USS San Diego CL-53, the ship entered service in January 1942, just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was soon sent to the Pacific, where it took part in nearly every major campaign against Japan, including Guadalcanal, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Tokyo Bay. Its service record is especially impressive. The USS San Diego took part in thirty-four major engagements, traveled roughly 300,000 miles, or 480,000 kilometers, on active operations, and survived numerous Japanese air attacks. Yet despite the intensity of the fighting, no crew members were lost, and the ship never sustained any serious damage. That remarkable service record earned the USS San Diego eighteen battle stars. In August 1945, after Japan’s surrender, it was also among the first major Allied warships to enter Tokyo Bay—a fitting end to a conflict it had seen almost from beginning to end. The memorial you see today was dedicated in 2004. Created by artists Eugene Daub and Louis Quaintance, the historical panels trace the ship’s story, from its commanders and wartime campaigns to the crew members who served aboard.