The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier.

Following the start of World War II in September 1939, Britain announced it would suspend the treaty for the duration of the conflict, a decision the US Navy quickly followed.

[2] The ship's belt armor ranged in thickness from 3.5 to 5 in (89 to 127 mm), with the thicker section amidships where it protected the ammunition magazines and propulsion machinery spaces.

These covered a range of activities the crew needed to master before they were sent to war, including day and night fighting, refueling at sea, and directing combat air patrol fighters to intercept enemy aircraft.

Work on the ship was completed by the end of the year, and on 1 January 1944, she joined a bombardment unit tha included the battleship Maryland, the cruisers Louisville and Mobile, and two destroyers for more shooting practice at San Clemente Island.

[4] Over the next two days, the light cruiser participated in several more shore bombardment missions against Roi Island in support of amphibious landings made by the Northern Attack Force.

Heading south, the task group crossed the equator, at which time Neptune ceremonies were held and Biloxi made loyal shellbacks out of some 1,139 polywogs, and arrived at Espiritu Santo on the 11th.

[4] Returning north the next day, the task group was joined by Cowpens, a fourth light cruiser, and nine more destroyers before conducting a raid against Japanese forces in the western Carolines.

Later that night, gun crews spotted a single Aichi D3A "Val" carrier bomber flying overhead and fired several 5 inch batteries in a vain attempt to shoot it down.

After observing the destruction of three Japanese patrol craft by two destroyers off Woleai the next day, the light cruiser steamed back to Majuro, arriving there on 6 April.

[4] At 04:00 the following morning, while preparing for a bombardment mission against Ani and Chichi Jima, a Japanese "Betty" closed from the stern and passed over the light cruiser.

Biloxi conducted an especially good bombardment mission during the morning of 7 September, starting numerous fires in a vehicle depot and an oil storage building.

According to the war diarist, "King Neptune, Davy Jones, and all the Royal Court were received aboard and dispensed justice with their customary ruthless and bloodthirsty manner.

One aircraft broke into flames and, after Biloxi checked fire to avoid hitting two nearby destroyers, all five were shot down by other warships in the formation.

On 24 October, during the second day of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, aircraft from Intrepid and Cabot took part in attacks that sank the Musashi south of Luzon.

[4] That night, the task group steamed north off Cape Engano to hunt for fleeing enemy carriers, five of which are disposed of by air strikes the following day.

As a result, a total of approximately 1,400 officers and men went down with her in this one action[4] On 28 October, TG 38.2 returned to launching air strikes against Luzon airfields and Japanese shipping in Manila Bay.

Biloxi also recovered pilot Lt.(jg) Dana, who related an exciting cruise in Sterlet during which time the submarine sank at least two enemy cargo ships.

Numerous raids breached friendly fighter defenses that day and five American carriers were damaged, forcing the task group to retire from the area.

[4] The carriers returned to the Philippines on 13 December and, in addition to air strikes in support of the Mindoro landings, they also launched special night raids against Japanese airfields.

The carriers steamed back south and, when the weather cleared on the 6th, blanketed Luzon with aircraft in support of bombardment and amphibious operations in Lingayen Gulf.

These attacks did not achieve a lot of success, as enemy aircraft were carefully hidden and camouflaged, and the task group shifted strikes to airfields on Formosa, in the Ryukyus, and the Pescadores.

Two days later, carrier aviators struck targets between Cam Rahn Bay and Cape Varella, hitting many ground installations and virtually annihilating a coastal convoy north of Qui Nhơn.

After retired to refuel, a task made more difficult owing to typhoon passing through area, the carriers shifted north to attack Hainan and Hong Kong.

Around midday, Japanese kamikazes began attacking in increasing numbers and, in successive waves, two aircraft crashed into the carrier Ticonderoga and another damaged the destroyer Maddox.

Following carrier-launched fighter sweeps against Japanese airfields in the Tokyo area, the task group closed Iwo Jima to support landing operations.

After receiving battle repairs alongside Vulcan, the light cruiser continued east, arriving at San Francisco via Pearl Harbor on 11 May while escorting the USS Franklin (CV-13).

While en route to Ulithi, the warship conducted a long range shore bombardment of Wake on 8 August, primarily to train her gunners for upcoming operations against Japan.

Steaming back to Japan, the warship made stops at Nagasaki, Wakayama, and Hiro Wan as the American Occupation Forces consolidated their positions ashore.

[4] The cruiser's superstructure was set aside and erected in the Guice Park near the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, on Beach Boulevard (U.S. Highway 90) just east of the Hard Rock Casino, where it still stands today.