City looks to save flag from namesake ship

[Woodmonkey]

City looks to save flag from namesake ship

TUCSON, Ariz. — A flag that once flew over a World War II-era Navy light cruiser named for this city is in bad shape and in need of repair.

The USS Tucson’s flag has been stored by city officials who are concerned about its condition but don’t have the money to restore and preserve it.

The 18-foot flag was kept folded in a display case for more than 50 years. Visitors to the Tucson Mayor and Council Chambers may have noticed it hanging outside the entrance until it was taken down more than a year ago.

“It’s been so long since anybody has seen the flag unfolded that we don’t know what kind of damage there is,” said Geoff Gonzales, a management assistant in the City Clerks Office. “We didn’t even want to touch it unless there’s a professional conservator doing it.”

Tucson was presented the flag after the 6,000-ton Oakland-class light cruiser was decommissioned in 1949.

The Tucson protected aircraft carriers launching bombing missions in the final assault against Japan in July and August 1945. It was the only time that the cruiser saw combat. Japanese aircraft never got close enough to the cruiser for it to fire its guns.

Today, the Tucson name lives on as a nuclear attack submarine based in Norfolk, Va.

Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup said steps would be taken to renovate the flag and Councilman Steve Leal said he would help raise money to pay for it.

The Source