Built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation of Quincy, Massachusetts, the USS Detroit (CL-8) was the fifth of ten Omaha-class cruisers. Launched on 29 June 1922, she was commissioned on 31 July 1923.
The Detroit joined the Scouting Fleet and operated along the East Coast and in the Mediterranean. She also served on a lifeguard station for the Army around-the-world flight in 1924 and as the flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, until 23 November 1924.
In March 1927, the Detroit was dispatched to patrol the Nicaraguan coast. Several months later, she transported U.S. Secretary of State F. B. Kellogg between Ireland and France for talks that led to the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact. In the 1930s, the Detroit operated with the Pacific Fleet Battle Force out of San Diego, and in 1941, she was transferred to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On 7 December 1941, despite several strafing passes by Japanese aircraft during their attack, the Detroit got under way safely and shot down several enemy aircraft with her accurate antiaircraft fire. After investigating the west coast of Oahu for any signs of Japanese landings, she took part in a search for departing enemy warships. Within three days, the Detroit returned to Pearl Harbor and took up convoy escort duty.
Following the escort of two convoys to Pago Pago, Samoa, the Detroit sailed from San Francisco for Alaska on 10 November 1942. Here, she became flagship for Commander Task Group 8.6, whose mission was to prevent further enemy penetration of the Aleutian Islands.
On 12 January 1943, the Detroit covered unopposed landings on Amchitka to sever the Japanese supply line.
In April, she took part in the shelling of Holtz Bay and Chicago Harbor in Attu, before an assault and capture of the island. In August 1943, she provided cover for the recapture of Kiska, the last Japanese outpost in the Aleutians, which had already been secretly evacuated.
In June 1944, the Detroit saw action during bombardments of the Kurile Islands, and on 9 August she arrived in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone, and became temporary flagship of Southeast Pacific Forces. The Detroit arrived in Ulithi on 4 February 1945 for service with the Fifth Fleet, where she continued her service for the remainder of the World War II, entering Tokyo Bay on 1 September. She was one of just a few ships present at both Pearl Harbor and the surrender at Tokyo Bay. The Detroit was decommissioned on 11 January 1946 and sold the following month.