Marblehead served in both oceans during the 20's and 30's. She could be found patrolling off Nicaragua to provide some stability to that country during their civil war years. She operated in Chinese waters during the years leading up to world war two. She was eventually assigned to the Asiatic Fleet in 1938 where she sailed in support of US interests in the Far East. When war broke out in the Pacific she was in the Dutch East Indies with other Allied ships. In January 42 she covered for US Destroyers at the Battle of Balikpapan. A month later she was caught by Japanese bombers in the Java sea and severely damaged by bomb hits and near misses. Only the heroic efforts of her Captain and crew kept the ship afloat and she limped back to Tjilatjap, Java for temporary repairs. Afterwards she sailed back to the US sailing through the Indian and Atlantic Oceans around the tip of South Africa. 

When she arrived in New York final repairs and a much needed refit was begun taking several months. Marblehead emerged in the fall of 42 with a much needed anti aircraft protection and returned to service. She spent the next year patrolling the Atlantic ocean. In 1944 she participated in the invasion of Southern France helping to silence German gun emplacements ashore. Afterwards, she acted as a training ship and served in this role until wars end. She was decommissioned in November 1945 and scrapped in 1946. 

Marblehead received two battle stars for World War II service.

Niko Models has produced yet another unique warship in 1/700 scale. I had really hoped for a Java Sea early 42 version of this ship, but this one depicts her in her late 42 post refit configuration. References for an early 42 version are scarce and very few photos exist showing her in any detail. Even so the Niko kit represents a really nicely detailed version of an Omaha class cruiser.