Krames, Edward C., BM1

USS Helena (CL-50) was a St. Louis-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and subsequently active in the Pacific War until she was sunk at the battle of Kula Gulf in 1943. Helena was the first ship to be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.
Helena, the second Navy ship named after the city of Helena, Montana, was launched 27 August 1939 by the New York Navy Yard, sponsored by Miss Elinor Carlyle Gudger, granddaughter of Senator Thomas J. Welch of Montana, and commissioned 18 September 1939, Captain Max B. Demott in command.

 

Uss Helena in the South Pacific, 1943 (note: radar antennas have been brushed out by censors)
Career (US)
Name:	Helena
Namesake:	Helena, Montana
Builder:	New York Navy Yard
Laid down:	1936-12-09
Launched:	1939-08-27
Commissioned:	1939-09-18
Fate:	Sunk, Battle of Kula Gulf, 1943-07-06
General characteristics
Class and type:	St. Louis class light cruiser
Displacement:	10,000 tons
Length:	608.3 feet (185 m)
Beam:	61.7 ft (18.8 m)
Draft:	19.8 ft (6.0 m)
Speed:	33 knots
Complement:	888 officers and enlisted men
Armament:	15×6 inch 8×5 inch 8×12 mm