USS San Francisco (CA-38) was a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. Captain Royal E. Ingersoll commanded her from 10 February 1934 until 12 June 1935. Captain William Lewis Beck then had the ship until 29 May 1937, and Captain Ralph Chandler Parker commanded until 19 June 1939.
Captain Charles Moulding Yates took command on 19 June 1939 and remained until 27 May 1941, when Captain Daniel Judson Callaghan relieved him. Callaghan was still her captain on 7 December 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco was in the harbor that day and came through the attack afloat.
Callaghan's time as captain ended on 2 May 1942. Captain Henry Ehrman Thornhill commanded from then until 16 May 1942, and Captain Charles Horatio McMorris held command from 16 May until 8 November 1942. At the Battle of Cape Esperance on 11 October 1942, San Francisco was Norman Scott's flagship. She remained afloat after the battle.
Captain Cassin Young took command on 9 November 1942. On 12 and 13 November 1942 the cruiser was badly damaged in the night action of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, off Guadalcanal, where she served as Daniel Judson Callaghan's flagship. Young was killed in command, and Callaghan was killed that night. In the same action San Francisco hit Atlanta while Atlanta was already crippled.
Captain Herbert Emery Schonland assumed command on 13 November 1942 and kept it until 17 November. Captain Albert Finley France, Jr. then commanded from 17 November 1942 until 26 December 1943. The ship was repaired after the November damage and was still afloat at the surrender.
Captain Harvey Edward Overesch commanded from 26 December 1943 until 10 March 1945. Captain John Esten Whelchel followed him and remained in command until 10 February 1946, the day San Francisco was decommissioned. She was struck on 1 March 1959 and sold for scrap on 9 September 1959.