USS Boise (CL-47)

The USS Boise was commissioned in 1938, and was amongst the last ships put the US Navy put into service before the outbreak of world hostilities. The above picture shows the Boise underway in the serene days of peace. As the world went to pieces, the pale gray paint would be scraped off and painted over in darker shades of blue and grays. Portholes would be capped with steel and welded shut in recognition of the lessons learned in WWI. Watertight integrity was more important than mere niceties. Boise was on station in the Philippines when the war began, and she distinguished herself in combat in battles from Indonesia to Guadalcanal, where she was severely damaged during the Battle of Cape Esperance. Upon being repaired, Boise took part in supporting operations in the Mediterranean Sea during 1943 before returning to the Pacific for the remainder of the war. USS Boise was later ceded to the Argentine Navy, where she served until 1978 until she was sold for scrap and was eventually broken up in Japan.

Boise received 11 Battle Stars for her service during WWII

November 1942 Newsreel: USS Boise (CL-47)