Not long after the outbreak of the Pacific War in late 1941, it became readily apparent to both sides that naval aviation would play a significant role in determining its outcome. This realization served as a strong basis for the idea in the US Navy high command to modify the design of the mass-produced Baltimore class heavy cruiser to better fill its role as an anti-aircraft platform. What would come to be known as the Oregon City sub-class included a less intrusive superstructure and a more co