USS Duluth was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II.

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.

Duluth operated as a training cruiser based in Newport, Rhode Island, from 14 December to 2 March 1945 as her crew familiarized themselves with the ship.

[4] Duluth was assigned to the subordinate unit Task Group 38.1, along with five aircraft carriers, three fast battleships, four other cruisers, and several destroyers.

[4] During this period, on 18 July, Duluth was temporarily transferred to Task Group 35.4, along with the cruisers Topeka, Atlanta, and Dayton and eight destroyers.

The ships entered Sagami Bay on 27 August with the rest of TF 38 to begin preparations for the formal surrender of Japan, which took place aboard the battleship Missouri on 2 September.

[4] During the latter visit, Duluth cruised with the aircraft carrier Antietam and a division of destroyers, and it was timed for the first anniversary of the Philippines' independence.

Her deployment lasted from 22 September 1947 to 19 May 1948, which concluded with the transfer of Duluth to Long Beach, California, where she was based for the remainder of her career.

The ship took part in cold-weather training exercises held off Kodiak, Alaska, in February 1949, before being decommissioned on 25 June and assigned to the reserve fleet.