USS Atlanta served with Rear Admiral Thomas Kinkaid's cruiser group at the Battle of Midway. Her assignment was to screen Enterprise and Hornet and provide anti-aircraft fire if enemy aircraft attacked. This was the carrier-protection role for which her battery was useful. Too few Atlantas were available to make that level of support common across the Pacific Fleet.
Notable Point · 2:36:34-2:37:20
USS Atlanta screened Enterprise and Hornet at Midway
Atlanta's place with Kinkaid's cruiser group at Midway shows the class performing its carrier-screening role before enough sisters existed to make it a common fleet asset.