Namesake:
Portland, Oregon
USS PORTLAND (LSD-37) is the second Naval ship to bear the name. The
first USS PORTLAND (CA-33), a heavy cruiser, was commissioned in 1933
and operated extensively in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, Which sank or disabled the battle fleet
stationed there, the Portland with its nine 8-inch guns was the largest
gunship in the region until late 1942. Although often outgunned by the
Japanese fleet and severely damaged by a torpedo in the Battle of
Guadalcanal, she participated in almost every major naval engagement
and survived the duration of the war. While operating in the Pacific
Theater, Portland was credited with sinking two destroyers, shooting
down more than a dozen airplanes and assisting in the sinking of three
battleships. She was also responsible for the sinking of a Japanese
submarine. Today's Portland carries on this same standard of pride,
duty and service in honor of her predecessor.
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