USS Helena (CA-75)

• Namesake Heritage: USS Helena (CA-75) was the third U.S. Navy ship named after Helena, Montana, following a light cruiser lost in the Battle of Kula Gulf in 1943. • Baltimore-class Cruiser: She was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, one of the most advanced and powerful classes of cruisers built during World War II, although she was commissioned just after the war ended, in 1945. • Korean War Service: Helena played a significant combat role during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces, including the famous Inchon landings in September 1950. • Flagship Duties: The ship often served as flagship for various task forces, including Task Force 95 (the United Nations Blockading and Escort Force) during the Korean War. • Presidential Visit: President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower visited USS Helena in November 1952 while she was stationed in Korean waters, boosting morale among American and Allied sailors. • Operation "Passage to Freedom": In 1954, Helena participated in this humanitarian operation, helping to evacuate Vietnamese civilians from North to South Vietnam following the Geneva Accords. • Peacetime Roles: Beyond combat, Helena conducted numerous goodwill visits and training missions throughout the Pacific, visiting countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and more. • Damage and Repairs: In 1950, Helena struck a mine off the Korean coast, suffering significant damage but managing to return to port for repairs, a testament to her crew’s resilience. • Technological Upgrades: Throughout her service, Helena received several modernizations, including advanced radar and anti-aircraft weaponry, keeping her at the forefront of cruiser capabilities during the early Cold War. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Helena was decommissioned in 1963 and sold for scrap in 1974, but her legacy continues through numerous honors, including nine battle stars for her service in Korea.