USS
Oakland Honored
The
Port of Oakland dedicated the USS Oakland Mast at its new
home in Middle Harbor Shoreline Park on Thursday, July 17. USS
Oakland, a World War II anti-aircraft cruiser was the first, and
to this date, the only United States Navy ship to bear the name of
the City of Oakland. The ceremony honored the shipmates of USS
Oakland and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the ship’s
commissioning. Shipmates traveled from many locations across the
United States to reunite with their fellow crewmembers and their
families.
After its commissioning in 1943,
the USS Oakland joined the Pacific Fleet and traveled with
the fast carrier strike force (capable of 30 knots per hour) earning
nine battle stars in duty. The ship accommodated 802 men and
officers, and suffered three casualties during its service in World
War II, earning it the nickname "the lucky ship." USS
Oakland was present in Tokyo Bay alongside the battleship Missouri
to witness the surrender ceremonies that ended World War II. After
six years of service, the ship was decommissioned and its mast was
salvaged and given to the City of Oakland. It was installed at Jack
London Square for 30 years and was recently restored at the Port of
Oakland’s new Middle Harbor Shoreline Park.
