Where Away The Story of the U.S.S. Marblehead

By: George Sessions Perry and Isabel Leighton and John Joseph Floherty

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Synopsis: Where Away, first published in 1944, recounts the exploits of the Omaha class light-cruiser U.S.S. Marblehead in her service in the Pacific during World War Two. The Marblehead was in Borneo at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, and joined other ships of the Royal Netherlands and Royal Australian Navies in patrol duty and as escorts to merchant ships. On January 24, 1942, the Marblehead was attacked by Japanese bombers and hit by three bombs. Marblehead was severely damaged, on fire and had 15 dead and 84 seriously injured crewmen. However, the crew managed to extinguish the fires and get the damaged ship underway. She then began a journey of over 9000 miles westward to South Africa, the first port where repairs could be made. In April, the Marblehead set sail for the United States, arriving in New York on May 4, 1942. Following further repairs at the drydock of the Brooklyn Naval Yard, Marbleheadreturned to duty on October 15, 1942, and joined the South Atlantic Fleet where she served until February 1944. A short stint in the convoy lanes of the North Atlantic followed. Marblehead next sailed to the Mediterranean, reaching Palermo on July 29, 1944. She took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, and was used in bombardment of enemy shore positions, her final combat mission. Included are maps and numerous pen and ink drawings by John Floherty, Jr.