The U.S. Navy light cruisers USS San Diego (CL 53) and USS San Juan (CL 54) under construction at the Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, circa in early 1941.

Hull # 1478, otherwise known as Massachusetts (BB 59) , and some new additions to Uncle Sam's arsenal rise from the outfitting dock waters of Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, MA. on 8 October 1941. To the right of Massachusetts is Sinclar Superflame, Hull # 1490, San Diego (CL 53), Hull # 1479 & San Juan (CL 54) , Hull # 1480.

Bureau of Ships photo # 29559.

WWII Era, port side view while underway date and location unknown.

U.S. Navy photo.

USS San Diego (CL 53) Slides down the ways during her launching at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 26 July 1941.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-29980.

USS San Diego (CL 53) In Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, on 10 January 1942. Note ice and snow on the ship.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-27236.

Forward plan view of USS San Diego (CL 53) at Mare Island on 31 December 1943. San Diego was in overhaul at Mare Island form 15 December 1943 until 2 January 1944. The circles indicate items that were modified during the yard period.

U.S. Navy photo #8460-43

Amidships looking aft plan view of USS San Diego (CL 53) at Mare Island on 31 December 1943. San Diego was in overhaul at Mare Island form 15 December 1943 until 2 January 1944. The circles indicate items that were modified during the yard period.

U.S. Navy photo #8457-43

USS San Diego (CL 53) Off San Francisco, California, 1 January 1944.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 97826.

Starboard forward quarter view of USS San Diego (CL 53) off Mare Island on 1 January 1944

U.S. Navy Photo #Navy Photo 14-44

USS San Diego alongside port-to USS Taluga fueling up 13 Feb 1945 in TF58.

Lloyd LaVack and Tommy Trampp photos from USS Taluga.

USS San Diego (CL 53) Underway on 8 March 1944. Photographed from an airship of Blimp Squadron 32 (ZP-32).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 97825.

Aft plan view of USS San Diego (CL 53) at Mare Island on 2 April 1944.

U.S. Navy photo #2083-44.

USS San Diego (CL 53) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 9 April 1944, following overhaul. The destroyer in the background is USS Cassin (DD 372) . Note San Diego's after 5"/38 gun mounts, 40mm quad anti-aircraft machine gun mount and depth charges on her fantail, and floating crane alongside.

Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-64801.

USS San Diego (CL 53) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 9 April 1944, following overhaul. She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 24d. In the background are USS Cassin (DD 372) and USS Denver (CL 58) .

Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-64799.

Starboard after quarter view of USS San Diego (CL 53) off Mare Island on 10 April 1944.

U.S. Navy Photo 2191-44.

USS San Diego (CL 53) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 10 April 1944. Her camouflage design is Measure 33, Design 24d.

Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-64793.

Port forward quarter view of USS San Diego (CL 53) off Mare Island on 10 April 1944.

U.S. Navy Photo 2192-44.

Port forward quarter view of USS San Diego (CL 53) off Mare Island on 10 April 1944.

U.S. Navy Photo 2193-44.

USS San Diego (CL 53) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 10 April 1944. Her camouflage design is Measure 33, Design 24d.

Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-64794.

Port side view of USS San Diego (CL 53) preparing to tie-up at Mare Island on 10 April 1944.

U.S. Navy Photo 2194-44.

USS San Diego (CL 53) docks at Yokosuka on 30 August 1945, to take part in the U.S. occupation of that facility.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-338386.

Yokosuka Navy Base, Japan - A Japanese working party rigs the gangway as USS San Diego (CL 53) docks at Yokosuka on 30 August 1945, to take part in the U.S. occupation of that facility. Note details of San Diego's forward superstructure, including white counter-shading below horizontal surfaces.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-338387.

In late August 1945 USS San Diego was designated flagship of RADM Badger as CTF31, whose role was to establish the initial occupation base at Yokosuka. The John Florea Life Magazine views document this activity. Seen here are landing parties and fleet command officials aboard USS San Diego meeting local Japanese officials 30 August 1945.? San Diego had made an unassisted landing at this Yokosuka pier.

Used for eductioanl and non-commercial purpose.

Starboard bow view of USS San Diego (CL 53) at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, September 1945. After minesweepers had cleared mine fields in Tokyo Bay, the San Diego was the first major Allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay after the Japanese surrender, and participated in the surrender of the Japanese battleship Nagato

LIFE Magazine Archives - John Florea Photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

Close-up starboard side view of USS San Diego (CL 53) at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, September 1945.

LIFE Magazine Archives - John Florea Photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, September 1945, as seen from an unidentified vessel. The USS San Diego (CL 53) is moored at the dock in the background.

LIFE Magazine Archives - John Florea Photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

Entering San Diego harbor on 25 October 1945. Courtesy of the Photograph Curator from Flickr. San Diego was the second-most-decorated US warship of WWII, receiving 18 battle stars. She was also the first major Allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay after the Japanese surrender.

U.S. Navy photograph 80-G-354575, now in the collections of the National Archives

Amidships looking forward plan view of USS San Diego (CL 53) in dry dock #2 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 Nov 1945. An inclining experiment (conducted in order to estimate the center of gravity of a ship) is being performed. She was in dry dock from 1 to 15 November 1945 and in overhaul from 14 September to 22 November 1945.

U.S. Navy Photo #6945-45

Amidships looking aft plan view of USS San Diego (CL 53) in dry dock #2 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 November 1945. An inclining experiment (conducted in order to estimate the center of gravity of a ship) is being performed.

U.S. Navy Photo #6950-45