USS Canberra CAG-2 Patch

The USS Canberra (CAG-2) was a warship unlike any other in the U.S. Navy—a vessel born from fire, rebuilt for the future, and remembered for her valor. Originally commissioned as a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser (CA-70) in 1943, she carried the name of Australia’s fallen HMAS Canberra, a tribute to the enduring alliance between two nations. From the Pacific battles of World War II to the tense years of the Cold War, the Canberra’s story is one of transformation, endurance, and quiet heroism on the high seas.

In the crucible of World War II, she earned her place in history. As part of Admiral Halsey’s Third Fleet, Canberrasupported fast carrier task forces that pounded enemy strongholds from the Marianas to the Philippines. On October 13, 1944—just days before the Battle of Leyte Gulf—she was struck by a torpedo from a Japanese aircraft while screening carriers near Formosa. The explosion ripped through her side, killing 23 crewmen and knocking her engines dead in the water. Yet her crew fought to save her. Refusing to abandon ship, they kept her afloat under relentless enemy air attack. She was towed 1,200 miles to safety by her sister ship, USS Boston—an ordeal that became known as the “Cripple Division” saga, one of the Navy’s most heroic damage control efforts.

After years in reserve, Canberra was reborn in 1956 as one of the Navy’s first guided missile cruisers, redesignated CAG-2. Her aft 8-inch gun turrets were replaced by cutting-edge Terrier missile systems, marking the dawn of a new era in naval warfare. She became a testbed for the Navy’s transition from big guns to guided missiles—a fusion of World War II steel and Cold War technology.

During her second life, Canberra steamed across the globe as a symbol of American resolve. She served with the Sixth and Seventh Fleets, patrolling the Mediterranean and Pacific in defense of freedom. In 1960, she carried President Dwight D. Eisenhower on a diplomatic mission to South America, earning her place not only as a warship but as an ambassador of American power and partnership.

When she was finally decommissioned in 1970, Canberra left behind a legacy that spanned two generations of naval innovation. Her story is one of resilience—from the burning decks of World War II to the technological dawn of the missile age.

The USS Canberra (CAG-2) patch honors this proud ship and her crew—warriors who bridged the gap between eras, who refused to yield to destruction, and who proved that strength and innovation are the twin pillars of the U.S. Navy.