USS Birmingham (CL-62), a United States Cleveland-class light cruiser named for the city of Birmingham, Alabama, the "Pittsburgh of the South", was laid down at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Newport News, Virginia, on 17 February 1941 and launched on 20 March 1942 by Mrs. Cooper Green, wife of the president of the Birmingham City Commission.

USS BIRMINGHAM

 She was commissioned on 29 January 1943, Captain John Wilkes in command.[1] Birmingham earned eight battle stars, receiving heavy damage on at least three occasions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Birmingham_(CL-62)