Korean War USS Helena (CA-75)

helena fires 8-inch/55-caliber (203-mm) guns @ enemy forces ashore on korean peninsula in august 1950 during korean war.

helena s schedule called summer spent in long beach, followed overhaul @ san francisco. came word of communist aggression in korea. hurriedly prepared sea; and, on 6 july 1950, sped westward. stopping @ pearl harbor take on ammunition, plowed across pacific , action on east coast of korea. on 7 august, first unleashed guns on enemy target—the railroad marshalling yards, trains, , power plant near tanchon.

serving flagship of bombardment task group, helena pounded enemy positions, aiding immeasurably in keeping invaders off balance , preventing them mounting formidable drive, united nations forces prepared take offensive. operations such hers provided diversion necessary cover powerful amphibious assault inchon, 15 september 1950, later, helena provided gunfire support korean troops pushing invaders north along east coast, , helena s, concentrated firepower aided in creating diversion @ samchok, , in recapture of pohang.

valuable in korean waters, helena no longer put off overhaul, , in november 1950 arrived @ long beach prepare twice-postponed yard period.

after overhaul, reported duty @ sasebo 18 april 1951, , assigned task force 77, fast carrier group making daily air strikes against enemy. while operating heavy support carriers, helena detached pound shore targets. during june 1951, occupied continually in interdiction fire @ targets along east coast of korea, subsequently returned task force, @ twilight on day late in july, helena straddled , hit shore gunfire. damage light, and, swiftly twisting around harbor in maneuver came called war dance , helena delivered rapid continuous fire destroyed 7 enemy gun positions , ammunition dump. after short respite @ yokosuka, returned again task force, detached special duty supporting massive air strike on supply depots , rail road marshalling yards @ rashin, acting radar picket.

helena s accurate gunnery next sought eighth army, whom fired @ 13 targets along bombline in aid of advancing infantry. support ground forces continued missions fired united states marines , republic of korea army units. on 20 september 1951 returned yokosuka. here, @ ceremony on decks, president syngman rhee of korea presented task force 95 first korean presidential unit citation awarded naval unit. helena received award operations in fall of 1950.

after rejoining task force, helena ordered duty fire support vessel in hungnam-hamhung area. helicopter providing usual efficient spotting, fired great success on rail , highway bridges, marshalling yards , gun positions next 2 weeks.

helena returned long beach 8 december 1951 , entire battery of 9 8-inch (200 mm) guns replaced. in february, commenced training return far east. 1 of highlights of training period came 14 february 23 february 1952 when took part in lex baker 1 , largest scale training exercise held since outbreak of korean war. on 70 ships , 15,000 sailors , marines took active part in operation.

helena arrived once again @ yokosuka 8 june 1952 , next day underway rendezvous task force 77 off coast of korea. 5 months mission again burn buildings, destroy gun positions, , smash transportation facilities; left in wake after shore bombardments. performed air rescue of pilots, 2 of whom deep in enemy territory.

on 24 november 1952, helena relieved of normal duties @ yokosuka , 5 days later sailed on special mission. called first @ iwo jima on 1 december admiral arthur w. radford, commander in chief pacific fleet, boarded ship helicopter visit briefly. 2 days later proceeded guam, president-elect dwight d. eisenhower, several of prospective cabinet members, , admiral radford embarked passage pearl harbor. top-level policy conferences held on board. helena s distinguished passengers disembarked @ pearl harbor 11 december 1952, , returned long beach 16 december.