The Worcester combined destroyer maneuverability with cruiser size, utilizing a main battery that could engage both surface targets and aircraft. The design was largely considered a failure, due to the main armament of twin automatic 6-inch (152 mm) guns achieving fire rates of 9-10 rpm, which was lower than the similar design of automatic 8-inch (203 mm) guns on USS NewportNews. In addition, the fire control fitted to Worcester was optimized for anti-aircraft fire rather than surface action or naval gunfire support. 

Worcester was laid down on 29 January 1945 at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding and Dry dock Corp, and launched on 4 February 1947.  Worcester was assigned to Cruiser Division 10. She spent the first year of her commissioned service completing her fitting out, conducting shakedown testing, undergoing availability and type training off the eastern seaboard of the United States. In the summer of 1949, she participated in her first large-scale training exercises in Guantanamo Bay and visited Kingston, Jamaica. Later that summer, she sailed for the Mediterranean, making her first deployment with the 6th Fleet.

The spring of 1950 found Worcester once again in the Mediterranean.  She was diverted east in July, as a result of the North Korean invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950.   Worcester subsequently screen carrier task forces conducting strikes against North Korean ground targets, supported the Inchon landings, then performed fire support and interdiction duties, supporting Allied forces.  Worcester left the Far East on 27 October, bound for Pearl Harbor.  The day after she sailed, Worcester received a dispatch from Admiral C. Turner Joy, Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, which said: "Upon the Worcester's departure from the Far East I wish to extend a hearty 'well done' to the entire ship's company. Your rapid deployment from the European station to the Far East, followed by your immediate and most effective participation in the Korean effort, clearly demonstrates that your status of war readiness was excellent." 

Worcester conducted four more 6th Fleet "Med" deployments into the mid-1950s and twice visited northern European ports. During that time, she participated in fleet maneuvers and exercises and paid good-will calls on many ports—ranging from Bergen, Norway; to Copenhagen, Denmark; to Dublin, Ireland; and Portsmouth, England. Between her foreign deployments were operations closer to home: local operations out of eastern seaboard ports like Boston and Norfolk. In addition, the ship also plied the warmer waters of the Caribbean and West Indies, ranging from Guantanamo Bay to Kingston, Jamaica.

Transferred from the Atlantic to the Pacific Fleet in January 1956, Worcester made two more deployments to operate with the 7th Fleet, visiting such highly frequented ports as Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan; Hong Kong; Manila; as well as the Japanese ports of Hakodate, Nagasaki, Shimoda, Yokohama, and Kobe. Returning each time to her home port at Long Beach, California, the ship conducted local operations between her cruises in Pacific waters. 

On 2 September 1958, Worcester departed Long Beach and steamed for the Mare Island Naval Shipyard to commence the inactivation process. She was decommissioned at Mare Island on 19 December 1958 and simultaneously placed in reserve. Worcester was subsequently berthed at San Francisco and later, at Bremerton, Washington, before she was struck from the Navy list on 1 December 1970. She was sold to Zidell Explorations, Inc., of Portland, Oregon, for disposal on 5 July 1972. The light cruiser, which never fought in its designated role, was subsequently broken up for scrap.

Approximately 200 tons of her armor plate was sent to the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, west of Chicago, and the armor is being used for absorption shielding in the particle accelerator and experiment lines.

The bell of USS Worcester is on display at the first floor near back entrance of Worcester City Hall. 

Vee Hobby continues to release new and interesting US navy cruiser kits.  One of the latest is the post-World War II anti-aircraft cruiser USS Worcester.  This is the deluxe version of the kit.  It contains eight plastic sprues, deck masks, a wood deck, turned brass parts, anchor chain and photo-etch. 

This is Vee Hobby 1/700 USS Worcester (CL-144), Deluxe Edition, kit number E57015. It's available on eBay. Prices vary, and seem to depend on if you are ordering the standard or deluxe version, so check carefully before adding to your cart.  Thanks to Russ Varga for lending me the model for the review.