The Juneau was a member of the Atlanta class light cruisers, often referred to as Anti-Aircraft Cruisers (CLAA). The early ships of this class were built with eight 5" 38 cal twin turrets, (the two waist turrets were eliminated in favor of 40 mm on later ships). These small cruisers (6,000 tons) were ideal for acting as Carrier escorts or Destroyer leaders, though they were known at times to go up against surface ships. The first four ships of this class had a round style bridge, while later ships had an open style square bridge.

The Juneau was laid down by Federal Shipbuilding Co. in Kearny, NJ  and launched October 25th 1941. She was commissioned February 14th 1942 with Captain Lyman K. Swenson in command. Juneau operated in the Atlantic helping to prevent the escape of Vichy French naval units in May 42. She left for the Pacific in August. She joined up with the USS Wasp on an resupply mission to Guadalcanal in September. Juneau was escorting the Wasp when the Japanese submarine I-19 scored three hits on the carrier. The carrier was badly damaged and had to be finished off by another escort. Juneau helped rescue the survivors. Soon after returning to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, she set out again this time with the USS Hornet. Juneau helped fight off air attacks at the battle of Santa Cruz on October 26. Sadly she was unable to keep the Japanese from scoring major hits on the carrier. Although 20 planes were shot down, enough got through and scored fatal hits on the Hornet. After the loss of her charge, Juneau joined up with the Enterprise to help that ship fight off the aggressive air attacks. The Task force withdrew knowing that the Marines had held on Guadalcanal for another day. 

On 8 November Juneau departed Noumea, New Caledonia, as a unit of Task Force 67 under the command of Rear Admiral R. K. Turner to escort reinforcements to Guadalcanal. The force arrived there early morning on November 12, and Juneau took up her station in the protective screen around the transports and cargo vessels. Unloading proceeded unmolested until 1405 when 30 Japanese planes attacked the alerted United States group. The AA fire was devastating, and Juneau alone accounted for six enemy torpedo planes shot down. The few remaining attackers were pounced on by American fighters; only one bomber escaped. News of an approaching Japanese surface force necessitated the withdrawal of the landing force. Juneau and 12 other ships formed up and returned to face the Japanese surface group consisting of two battleships, a cruiser and a host of destroyers armed with their deadly long lance torpedoes.  Early on the morning of Friday the 13th the two forces collided in a confused mass of ships all firing at point blank range. The Juneau pumped out round after round of 5" shells into the enemy ships. In the middle of it all Juneau took a torpedo hit that took her out of the action. Juneau joined up with the survivors. As they steamed out of channel the Juneau was down by the bow steaming on one screw, when the Japanese sub I-26 let loose a spread of torpedos. The first two were successfully evaded but the third hit in the same area as the previous hit and the Juneau blew up in a terrific explosion. So horrific was the blast  that when the smoke cleared, there was no sign of the ship or her crew. The gallant ship with Captain Swanson and most of her crew, including the five Sullivan brothers, was lost. Only 10 members of the crew survived the tragedy.

Juneau received four battle stars for World War II service.