set course to intercept Balfe so she could transfer her medical staff and aid in treatment of the remaining survivors. In all, only 44 sailors were rescued, with seven dying from their injuries, and eight bodies recovered, out of a crew of 346. An investigation into the sinking of Bahia later determined that on 4 July 1945, while conducting anti-aircraft training, a gunner that had shot down a trailing target kite continued to fire as he was trailing the target's descent. Because the proper safety stops had not been installed on the gun he was able to inadvertently fire into a rack of live depth charges that were positioned on the fantail of the ship. Decommissioning Following the sinking of Bahia, Omaha continued to serve in the South Atlantic, until 12 August, two days after the Japanese announced their intention of surrendering under the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, when she departed Recife, for the last time. She made ports of call at San Juan and Norfolk, before getting underway for the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Soon after arriving in Philadelphia, a Board of Inspection and Survey recommended that Omaha be taken out of commission. Omaha was decommissioned on 1 November 1945, and was struck from the Navy Register on 28 November 1945. She was scrapped at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard by February 1946. Notable commanders Awards American Defense Service Medal with "A" device American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one battle star World War II Victory Medal References Bibliography External links StrategyPage.com article, "The Last 'Prize' Awards in the U.S. Navy?" AcePilots page on USS Omaha Department of the Navy, Navy Historical Center, Web page on USS Omaha, 1923–1946 Omaha-class cruisers 1920 ships World War II cruisers of the United States Ships built in Tacoma, Washington