USS Houston (CA-30) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. A later ship of the same name was a different hull.
J. B. Gay was captain from 17 June 1930. Jesse Barrett Oldendorf was captain from 16 October 1939 to 30 August 1941. Captain Albert H. Rooks relieved him that day and had her until she was lost.
On 27 February 1942 she was in Rear Admiral Karel Doorman's cruiser line in the Java Sea. Two 8-inch shells hit her that afternoon. One did not explode. She had no casualties and little damage, and she fought on with two working turrets. Later accounts credit Nachi. She was not sunk that day. She and Perth turned back for Batavia.
On 1 March 1942 Houston fought in the Battle of Sunda Strait. She was sunk in the strait that day, together with the Australian cruiser HMAS Perth. Japanese cruisers and destroyers sank her. Gunfire and torpedoes finished the cruiser. The loss is not credited to any single Japanese ship. Captain Rooks was lost with her.