Naval archives tell the stories of the first visit to South America by an American President. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) visited Cartagena, Colombia on July 10, 1934, while riding the USS Houston (CA-30). The visit was a short stop on a working vacation that began at the beginning of the month in Annapolis, Maryland. FDR’s destination was Portland, Oregon, after a short visit to Hawaii. The trip, close to 12,000 nautical miles, was one of a few unique cruises for the Houston, a ship that had joined the Fleet in 1930. Her entryway was as a light cruiser, and soon after she was reclassified as a heavy cruiser. Little did she know that just a few years after becoming the flagship of the United States Fleet, she was going to be involved in serious World War II battles. Houston, known as “The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast,” and her crew fought valiantly during the Battle of Makassar Strait. While ordered to leave the area, she was sunk, along with the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth, during the Battle of Sunda Strait. Out of the crew of 1,082 Sailors, only 366 survivors became POWs and endured cruel physical treatment according to records of the U.S. Naval Institute.
A light cruiser that took FDR for the first time to South America, Houston fought courageously and didn’t turn her back when tested by fire. Similarly, our service in the Naval Services provides both, enlisted and officers, with the opportunity to serve in times of peace and in times of war, showing courage and commitment when matters most. Our Latino heritage is one of the greatest assets available in these fights. The efforts to do and be our best is intrinsically ingrained in our spirits. The sense of family and comradery opens doors to cohesive and stronger teams. Our imaginative and creative thinking brings fresh looks and new considerations to old dilemmas. Houston fought hard and to the end. As we remember the first presidential visit to South America 87 years ago, may we continue to renew the spirit of Houston and her crew projected in the words of FDR when the “Houston Volunteers” responded to the call to replace the lost crew of the Houston: “Our enemies have given us the chance to prove that there will be another USS Houston, and yet another USS Houston if that becomes necessary, and still another USS Houston as long as American ideals are in jeopardy”