The second USS Houston (CA-30) (originally designated CL-30), nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast", was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy.

She was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, September 7, 1929, sponsored by Elizabeth Holcombe (daughter of Oscar Holcombe, then-mayor of Houston, Texas), and commissioned as CL-30 on 17 June 1930, Captain J. B. Gay commanding. Her designation was changed to CA-30 on 1 July 1931.

After conducting shakedown cruise in the Atlantic Houston returned to the United States in October 1930. She then visited her namesake city Houston, Texas, and joined the fleet at Hampton Roads. Steaming to New York, the cruiser departed on 10 January 1931 for the Pacific, and after stopping at the Panama Canal and the Hawaiian Islands arrived Manila on 22 February 1931. Houston became flagship of the US Asiatic Fleet upon arrival, and for the next year participated in training operations in the troubled Far East.