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The USS Philadelphia (CL-41) played a gallant role in allied invasion plans, winning herself 5 battle stars. In November 1942, with the fleet supporting Patton's three-pronged landing in Morocco, she took on the formidable Batterie Railleuse (four 130 mm guns) at Safi. In July 1943 she was with Task Force 85 off Sicily, laying fire as the 45th Infantry Division stormed ashore. After defending Palermo in support of
the 7th Army, she reached Salerno by September, bombarding beaches and destroying German tanks. She provided gunfire support at Anzio in February 1944, and reached the Gulf of St Tropez in August to help the "Thunderbirds" of the 45th Infantry Division land unopposed. A few days later, the light cruiser accepted the surrender of the fortress islands Pomeques, Chateau D'll and Ratonneau. And, to crown a glorious career, she escorted President Truman to Antwerp on his way to the Potsdam Conference in July 1945.
