USS Juneau (CL-52) was a United States Navy light cruiser torpedoed and sunk at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. In total, 687 officers and sailors, including the five Sullivan brothers, were killed in action as a result of her sinking. Only 10 survivors were rescued after eight days in the water. To honor the five Sullivan brothers and Juneau, the U.S. Navy has since commissioned two ships named and two ships named . On 17 March 2018, Paul Allen's research crew on board located the wreck of Juneau at a depth of about off the Solomon Islands.

Construction and commissioning

thumb|left|The Sullivan brothers on board the Juneau on her commissioning date. From left to right: Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison, and George Sullivan

Juneau was laid down by Federal Shipbuilding Company at Kearny, New Jersey, on 27 May 1940. She was launched on 25 October 1941, sponsored by Mrs. Harry I. Lucas, wife of the mayor of the city of Juneau, Alaska, and commissioned on 14 February 1942, with Captain Lyman K. Swenson in command.

Service history

thumb|upright=1.35|left|USS Juneau in June 1942

After a hurried shakedown cruise along the Atlantic coast in the spring of 1942, Juneau assumed blockade patrol in early May off the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe to prevent the escape of Vichy French naval units. She returned to New York to complete alterations and operated in the North Atlantic and Caribbean from 1 June to 12 August on patrol and escort duties. The cruiser departed for the Pacific theater on 22 August.]]

Because of bad weather and confused communications, the battle occurred in near-pitch darkness and at almost point-blank range, as the ships of the two sides became intermingled. During the melee, Juneau was struck on the port side by a torpedo launched by , causing a severe list, and necessitating withdrawal. Before noon on 13 November, Juneau, along with two other cruisers damaged in the battle— and —headed toward Espiritu Santo for repairs. Juneau was steaming on one screw, keeping station 800 yd (730 m) off the starboard quarter of the likewise severely damaged San Francisco. She was down by the bow, but able to maintain 13 kn (15 mph, 24 km/h).

A few minutes after 11:00, two torpedoes were launched from . On 20 November 1942, recovered two of the ten survivors. Five more in a raft were rescued by a PBY Seaplane away. Three others, including a badly wounded officer, made it to San Cristobal (now Makira) Island, about away from the sinking. One of the survivors recovered by Ballard said he had been with one of the Sullivan brothers for several days after the sinking.

Wreck

The wreck of Juneau was located on 17 March 2018 by Paul Allen's research crew on board RV Petrel. The cruiser rests below the surface off the Solomon Islands in several large pieces.

Awards

Juneau received four battle stars for her service in World War II.

See also

  • List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines
  • List of U.S. Navy losses in World War II, for other Navy ships lost in World War II
  • , another U.S. Navy cruiser sunk during World War II with substantial loss of life attributed to delayed rescue efforts
  • , a U.S. Navy destroyer named in honor of the Sullivan brothers

References

  • hazegray.org: USS Juneau
  • uboat.net: USS Juneau
  • Roll of Honor