USS Salem (CA-139) is the second of twelve planned Des Moines-class heavy cruisers for use in World War II for the United States Navy. Only 4 of these ships would be laid down, and only 3 of these would be completed. Commissioned in 1949, she was too late to see service in the war she was built for earning her the nickname "The giant that was late for the war". She was the world's last heavy cruiser to enter service and is the only one still in existence. She was decommissioned in 1959, after serving in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. She is open to the public as a museum ship in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Variants:
CA USS Salem
CA Des Moines Class