| USS Alaska (CB-1) Firing 5-inch/30 caliber dual purpose guns, 1 day before the ship arrived at Ulithi and joined the fast carrier task force. Note flak bursts in the left distance. Task Group 12.2 under the command of Rear Admiral Clifton A. F. “Ziggy” Sprague (January 8, 1896 – April 11, 1955) consisted of USS Alaska, USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), USS Bennington (CV-20), USS Randolph (CV-15), USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and 7 destroyers. Despite reports of Imperial Japanese Navy submarines, no sign of activity was noted. The ships’ log indicates that gunnery practice took place on February 4, 1945, against towed sleeves. Alaska expended 63 rounds of 5-inch/38 caliber Anti-Aircraft Common Shells; 851 40 millimeter (1.57 inch) shells; and 1,234 20 millimeter (.78 caliber) shells. At 2315 Hours, February 5, 1945, enroute from Pearl Harbor to Ulithi, ships of Task Group 12.2 had multiple contacts on radar, including Alaska. Sprague ordered General Quarters. By 2345 Hours it was realized the “bogies” were reflections due to weather and the ships secured from General Quarters. On February 6, the Task Group received word that Japanese planes from Truk, 350 miles (560 kilometers) southeast, were attempting to intercept the fleet. However, no aircraft appeared. Task Group 12.2 entered Ulithi at 1000 Hours on February 7. Alaska took station behind Belleau Wood at the end of the column. Alaska moored in Berth 31 at 1240 Hours. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1932.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.52 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 4517 x 5622 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | February 4, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Pacific Ocean |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-3031 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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