The USS St. Louis (CL-49) was a light cruiser of the United States Navy that was sunk during World War II. The ship was launched on December 15, 1938, and was commissioned on May 19, 1939. The St. Louis was one of the first ships of its class to be equipped with radar.
The ship served in the Atlantic Ocean during the early years of the war, before being transferred to the Pacific Theater in 1942. The St. Louis took part in several major naval battles, including the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway.
In October 1942, the St. Louis was struck by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine while en route to the Solomon Islands. The damage caused the ship to lose power and sink quickly. All but 20 of the ship's 550 crew members were rescued.
The sinking of the St. Louis was a significant loss for the United States Navy. The ship was one of the most advanced light cruisers of its time, and its loss weakened the Navy's ability to operate in the Pacific Theater.
The wreck of the St. Louis was located in 2001 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The ship lies in over 1,500 feet of water, and is considered to be a war grave.