USS Juneau CL-52
Of the three vessels bearing the name Juneau during World War II, the USS Juneau CL-52 would have the most tragic story. An Atlanta-class light cruiser, the Juneau CL-52 only served for eight months during World War II, as she was sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal in November of 1942.
Built at Federal Shipbuilding in Kearny, New Jersey, the Juneau CL-52 was launched on May 27, 1940 under the command of Captain Lyman K. Swenson, who posthumously earned the Navy Cross after sinking with his ship at the Battle of Guadalcanal. The Juneau CL-52 first headed towards the Martinique and Guadeloupe Islands in the spring of 1942 to patrol enemy waters and prevent the escape of French Naval forces. After a brief return to New York for repairs, she headed to the Caribbean and served as an escort and patrol vessel from June until August of that same year.
The Juneau CL-52 then headed towards the Pacific after a quick stop in the Tonga Islands, where she met up with the USS Hornet CV-8 and other vessels included in Task Force 17 and Task Force 61. The Juneau CL-52 participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October, 1942, and on November 8th, she would meet her end in the waters of Guadalcanal near the Solomon Islands. The Juneau CL-52 was struck during the conflict by a torpedo on her port side, and she subsequently headed towards Espiritu Santo, the largest island included in the nation of Vanatu, for repairs. As she made her escape, Juneau CL-52 was struck again by three more torpedoes, the third causing a large explosion. Juneau CL-52 sunk in less than twenty seconds after the explosion caused her to break into two pieces. Miraculously, over 100 men survived the sinking and were subsequently stranded in the ocean waters for eight long days before a rescue aircraft finally arrived. By the time rescuers spotted the men, only ten were still alive, having survived cold waters and shark attacks. Included in those who died were Captain Swenson and two of the Sullivan brothers of Iowa – the other three brothers had died instantly during the earlier torpedo attack.
The crewmembers that survived the attack on the USS Juneau CL-52 and returned to America as heroes epitomized bravery and courage and clearly faced a number of occupational risks during their brief tour of World War II service. The risks these men faced, however, continue yet today, as the Juneau CL-52 was laden with asbestos in the form of insulation. Surviving veterans of the Juneau CL-52 should closely monitor their respiratory health, as exposure to asbestos has been known to cause mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that has no cure. Veterans who are diagnosed with this disease should speak with an oncologist regarding mesothelioma treatment.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
