The Albany-class conversions are recalled as having been intended initially as entirely missile-armed cruisers. One contribution attributes the demand for guns to John F. Kennedy, then corrects that recollection to a tentative identification of Eisenhower. A 5-inch/38 open mounting on each side near the funnel is described as the response. The reason offered for retaining guns is that the practical use of shipboard missiles was still developing, even though the technology already existed.
Notable Point · 8:27:38-8:28:31
Why the Albany-class missile cruisers retained guns
A recollection of the Albany conversions links their retained 5-inch guns to political concern and the infancy of practical shipboard missile use.