July 28, 1942 the USS Baltimore CA-68 was launched at Bethlehem Steel Co. in Fore River, Mass. The Baltimore went straight to war after her trials. She and her men saw it all. They served in the Makin Islands, Kwajalein, Truk, Eniwetok, Marianas Islands, Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai, Hollanda, Marcus Islands, Wake, Saipan and the Battle of the Philippine Sea (The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot). Returning briefly to the USA in July 1944, Baltimore carried President Roosevelt to Pearl Harbor to meet with General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz. Then Baltimore took the President to Alaska where he departed the ship and Baltimore returned to combat.

Her second tour in the Pacific took her to Luzon, Formosa, Honshu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war Baltimore was part of the "Magic Carpet" operation returning troops home from duty. She then returned to Japan as part of the occupation force.

Following World War 2 Baltimore was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet and spent the rest of her career in the Mediterranean and the Far East. She decommissioned in 1956 and was placed in reserve at Bremerton, Washington where she stayed until 1972 when she was sold and scrapped. Baltimore earned 9 battle stars in World War 2.

USS Baltimore CA-68.