PRESENT TOPEKA EARNED TW0 BATTLE STARS AS LIGHT CRUISER, CL-67

The first combat operations of the USS TOPEKA, CL-67, came during the period 8 to 10-June 1945 when she screened Carrier Task-Group 38.1 engaged in air strikes against enemy installations at Kanoya, Southern Kyushu, Minamo Daito Shima, and Okino Daito Shima. These actions were in support of the capture and occupation of Okinawa

Topeka with its task group replenished at San Pedro Bay, Leyte during the latter part of June 1945 and then steamed for strikes against military targets and shipping in the vicinity of Honshu, commencing 10 July 1945. On the night of 18-19 July, TOPEKA formed with cruisers ATLANTA, DAYTON, OKLAHOMA CITY, and destroyer units for an anti-shipping sweep off the eastern entrance to Sagami Nada, taking part in the bombardment of enemy installations on Nojima Saki. She rejoined the carrier group on 20 July and continued operations in support of carrier air strikes until cessation of hostilities, 15 August 1945. During these operations a pilot from TOPEKA, in an SC-1 Curtiss "Seahawk", rescued two downed British pilots in lshinomake Wan, 9 August 1945.

TOPEKA conducted patrol off Japan until 16 September 1945 when she anchored in Tokyo Bay. On 1 October 8he departed for the United States. After embarking 529 military passengers at Okinawa (4-5 October), she arrived at Portland, Oregon, 19 October 1945, She sailed 29 October and arrived at San Pedro, California, on 1 November for overhaul and repairs.

TOPEKA sailed from San Francisco on 3 January 1946 and arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, 24 January to operate in support of the occupation forces in Japan and the mandated island. Other principal ports of call during this tour of duly included Sasebo, Japan; Tsingtao and Shanghai China; Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippine Island; and Apra Harbor, Guam. She departed Shanghai on 30 October and returned to San Pedro, California, on 20 November 1946. She underwent overhaul and engaged in local operations until 22 September 1947 when she departed San Pedro for another tour of duty in the Far East. She joined Task Force 71 at Yokosuka on 10 October 1947. Fleet maneuvers and patrol on the China coast were principally conducted from Shanghai and Tsingtao until 8 March 1948, when she arrived at Nagasaki, Japan. After brief visits to Sasebo and Kure, she departed Yokosuka on 25 April and returned to Long Beach, California, 7 May 1948.

The second TOPEKA (CLG 8), a guided missile light cruiser, was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Quincy, Massachusetts, as a light cruiser (CL-67). Her keel was laid 21 April 1943 and she was launched 19 August 1944 under the sponsorship of Mrs. Frank J. Warren, wife of the Mayor of Topeka, Kansas. The ship was placed in commission at Boston on 23 December 1944 when Captain Thomas L. Wattles, USN, assumed command.

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