This is the 'Official' website of the US Navy Heavy Cruiser USS Newport News (CA-148) and is dedicated to those who served aboard her 1949-1975
This is the 'Official' website of the US Navy Heavy Cruiser USS Newport News (CA-148) and is dedicated to those who served aboard her 1949-1975
This website was first established in 1997 and is sponsored and supported solely by the generous donations from former Crew members, Family, Friends and the
USS Newport News Museum, Reunion & Memorial Association
*This website, and it's 300+ pages are being re-designed, so your patience is greatly appreciated during the process.
Reunion Updates
If you were a crew member of the USS Newport News (CA-148) make sure you sign up on our mailing list! You will be put on our Newsletter email list to keep you informed about what is going on in regards to USS Newport News Events. Names are added to our US Postal mailing list for sending out Reunion registration information and information on other important events. Sign up today!
If you'd like to be added to our NEW crewmember listing please visit the listing HERE and fill out the form on the 'contact page'. Names are added as they are received.
Your Donation's "Keep The Memories Alive"
Visit the NEW Ships Store
Upcoming Work Parties onboard the USS Salem
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Please watch this brief video as we remember our Shipmates who were killed in action off the coast of North Vietnam on October 1st, 1972
'As long as their names are spoken they shall not be forgotten'
**please turn up your volume**
USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA-148)
- The last and largest heavy gun cruiser built for the US Navy. Was one of 3 of the DES MOINES class heavy cruisers and the second ship in the Navy named after the city in Virginia.
The USS Newport News (CA-148) was the only one of the three Des Moines Class Heavy Cruisers to see combat: 3 tours to the gun-line in Vietnam 1967 thru 1972.
Decommissioned on June 27, 1975, the NEWPORT NEWS spent the following years laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Penn.
Stricken from the Navy list on July 31, 1978, the heavy cruiser was sold for scrapping on February 25, 1993. "From Warship to scrapyard in 26 years."
Awarded: 1943
Keel laid: November 1, 1945
Launched: March 6, 1948
Commissioned: January 29, 1949
Decommissioned: June 27, 1975
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.
Propulsion system: geared turbines; 120,000 shaft horsepower
Propellers: four
Length: 716.6 feet (218.5 meters)
Beam: 75.5 feet (23 meters)
Draft: 26 feet (7.9 meters)
Displacement: approx. 20,450 tons full load
Speed: 33+ knots
Aircraft: none, helicopter landing platform only
Final Armament: nine 8-inch (20.3cm)/55 caliber guns from three triple mounts, twelve 5-inch (12.7cm)/38 caliber guns from six twin mounts
Crew (including staff): 103 officers and 1565 enlisted
Navy Unit Commendation with star in lieu of 2nd award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy E Ribbon
Navy Occupation Medal with "EUROPE" clasp
National Defense Service Medal with star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
**A Great resource can be found HERE with a list of all the Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
earned by the USS Newport News (CA-148) (link will open in a new window - tab)
On 4 July weekend 1968, Newport News was awarded its first Navy Unit Commendation, presented to Captain Snyder by Rear Admiral John Wadleigh on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy "for Exceptionally meritorious service from 2OCT67 to 26APR68 while engaged in operations against enemy aggressor forces in the waters contiguous to the hostile coastline of both North and South Vietnam."
The ship was awarded the "Top Gun" award for support of the allied forces during the 1969 deployment.
In 1969, Newport News was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation for performance during operations against hostile enemy forces during the ship's second deployment to Vietnam during 1968 and 1969.
Newport News received the Battle Efficiency "E" for CIC/Operations for Fiscal Year 1972. The occasion marked the 24th commissioning anniversary of Newport News. COMSECONDFLT VADM Finneran was guest speaker at the ceremony. (29 January is the official anniversary of Newport News.)
On 13 July 1973 Newport News was awarded its second Navy Unit Commendation, presented to Capt Kelly by VADM Finneran on behalf of Secretary of the Navy John W. Warner at a ceremony which was also attended by Capt Zartman, who had been Commanding Officer for the 1972 Vietnam deployment, during which the award was earned.
'THUNDER' IN ACTION
*click to enlarge
**You'll need to answer a few questions as to your connection to NN before you are accepted to our 'Private Group'. Be sure not to overlook this required feature as it can delay your membership. If you'd like to invite a 'Family Member' be sure they do the same and answer the required question(s). Admin will review your request and deny or accept it depending on the answers you provide.
Below you will see the total number of visitors (page views) our website has had since it was first launched in June of 1997! This website is the largest website dedicated to a 'single US Navy Ship' with over 360+ pages, as well as hundreds of other links of interest. We would like to thank each and everyone of you who have taken the time to browse the many pages of this website! We hope you'll come back often. This Web Site is Sponsored and supported by donations from Crew Members, Family, Friends and the: USS Newport News Reunion Association, and is Designed, Hosted, and Maintained at 'no cost' by Shipmate Bill Gowacki.
Page views since 1997
This website is Designed, Hosted, and Maintained at no-cost by Shipmate W.C. (Bill) Gowacki you can now buy him a coffee or 2 to show your appreciation. Your support is greatly appreciated!