USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)
December 1943 – May 1944
### December 1943 – May 1944

*Tuscaloosa* conducted one more sweep of the Norwegian coast in an attempt to draw German fleet units to sea, but the enemy chose not to give battle. Upon the cruiser's return to Iceland, she was detached from the Home Fleet and proceeded to New York where she began major overhaul on 3 December 1943\.

Upon completion of the refit in February 1944, *Tuscaloosa* engaged in Fleet exercises and shore bombardment practice out of Casco Bay until April and then entered the Boston Navy Yard for installation of radio intelligence and electronic countermeasures gear. Later that month, she embarked Rear Admiral [Morton L. Deyo](/wiki/Morton_L._Deyo "Morton L. Deyo"), Commander, CruDiv 7, and task force commander, and set out for the Clyde to join the Allied Forces massing for the assault on the European continent.

During the interim period prior to [D\-Day](/wiki/D-Day "D-Day"), *Tuscaloosa* conducted further shore bombardment practice and engaged in further exercises. Her aviation unit exchanged its venerable Curtiss [SOC Seagulls](/wiki/SOC_Seagull "SOC Seagull") for British [Supermarine Spitfires](/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire "Supermarine Spitfire") and checked them out for spotting purposes. However, they remained shore\-based for the remainder of their time operating in support of the invasion.


What was the task performed by the cruiser Tuscaloosa in December 1943?