1.
Destroyer
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Before World War II, destroyers were light vessels with little endurance for unattended ocean operations, typically a number of destroyers and a single destroyer tender operated together. After the war, the advent of the missile allowed destroyers to take on the surface combatant roles previously filled by battleships. This resulted in larger and more powerful guided missile destroyers more capable of independent operation, the emergence and development of the destroyer was related to the invention of the self-propelled torpedo in the 1860s. A navy now had the potential to destroy an enemy battle fleet using steam launches to launch torpedoes. Fast boats armed with torpedoes were built and called torpedo boats, the first seagoing vessel designed to fire the self-propelled Whitehead torpedo was the 33-ton HMS Lightning in 1876. She was armed with two drop collars to launch these weapons, these were replaced in 1879 by a torpedo tube in the bow. By the 1880s, the type had evolved into small ships of 50–100 tons, in response to this new threat, more heavily gunned picket boats called catchers were built which were used to escort the battle fleet at sea. The anti-torpedo boat origin of this type of ship is retained in its name in other languages, including French, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, Greek, Dutch and, up until the Second World War, Polish. At that time, and even into World War I, the function of destroyers was to protect their own battle fleet from enemy torpedo attacks. The task of escorting merchant convoys was still in the future, an important development came with the construction of HMS Swift in 1884, later redesignated TB81. This was a torpedo boat with four 47 mm quick-firing guns. At 23.75 knots, while still not fast enough to engage torpedo boats reliably. Another forerunner of the torpedo boat destroyer was the Japanese torpedo boat Kotaka, designed to Japanese specifications and ordered from the London Yarrow shipyards in 1885, she was transported in parts to Japan, where she was assembled and launched in 1887. The 165-foot long vessel was armed with four 1-pounder quick-firing guns and six torpedo tubes, reached 19 knots, in her trials in 1889, Kotaka demonstrated that she could exceed the role of coastal defense, and was capable of accompanying larger warships on the high seas. The Yarrow shipyards, builder of the parts for the Kotaka, the first vessel designed for the explicit purpose of hunting and destroying torpedo boats was the torpedo gunboat. Essentially very small cruisers, torpedo gunboats were equipped with torpedo tubes, by the end of the 1890s torpedo gunboats were made obsolete by their more successful contemporaries, the torpedo boat destroyers, which were much faster. The first example of this was HMS Rattlesnake, designed by Nathaniel Barnaby in 1885, the gunboat was armed with torpedoes and designed for hunting and destroying smaller torpedo boats. Exactly 200 feet long and 23 feet in beam, she displaced 550 tons, built of steel, Rattlesnake was un-armoured with the exception of a 3⁄4-inch protective deck
2.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
3.
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer
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The Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Another twelve ships were completed as destroyer minelayers, the Allen M. Sumner design was extended 14 feet amidships to become the Gearing class, which was produced in larger numbers. Completed in 1943–45, four were lost in the war and two were damaged so badly they were scrapped, but the ships served in the US Navy into the 1970s. After being retired from the US fleet,29 of them were sold to other navies, two still exist as museum ships, one in South Carolina, and one in Taiwan. The first ship was laid down in May 1943, while the last was launched in April 1945, in that time the United States produced 58 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers. The Allen M. Sumner class was an improvement of the previous Fletcher class, which were built from 1941 until 1944. The 5-inch guns were guided by a Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System with a Mark 25 fire control radar linked by a Mark 1A Fire Control Computer stabilized by a Mark 68,500 rpm gyro and this fire control system provided effective long-range anti-aircraft or anti-surface fire. The initial design retained the Fletchers heavy torpedo armament of 10 21-inch tubes in two mounts, firing the Mark 15 torpedo. The increase in displacement was only 150 tons, about 7. 5%. Thus, the Allen M. Sumner class was a significant improvement in power at a small increase in cost. See also Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayer, twelve of which were built on hulls originally intended as Allen M. Sumners, gearing-class destroyers were of the same design, modified with a 14-foot midship extension to carry more fuel to extend the ships range. Eighteen were built by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, fourteen were built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Ten were built by Bethlehem Steels Mariners Harbor shipyard on Staten Island, six were built by Bethlehem Steels Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. Five were built by Bethlehem Steel in San Pedro, California, five were built by Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington. USS Barton was the first ship of the class to be laid down, USS Henley was the last commissioned. The Allen M. Sumners served on picket stations in the Battle of Okinawa, as well as other duties. Cooper, Meredith, Mannert L. Abele, and Drexler were lost during the war, in addition, USS Frank E. Evans was split in half in a collision with HMAS Melbourne, and never repaired. After the war most of the class had their 40 mm and 20 mm guns replaced by up to six 3-inch/50 caliber guns, on most ships one depth charge rack was removed and two Hedgehog mounts added
4.
Bagley-class destroyer
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The Bagley class of eight destroyers was built for the United States Navy. They were part of a series of USN destroyers limited to 1,500 tons standard displacement by the London Naval Treaty, All eight ships were ordered and laid down in 1935 and subsequently completed in 1937. They retained the fuel-efficient power plants of the Mahan-class destroyers, however, they had the extended range of the Mahans,1,400 nautical miles farther than the Gridleys. The Bagley class destroyers were readily distinguished visually by the prominent external trunking of the boiler uptakes around their single stack, All eight Bagley-class destroyers were present at the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. They all served in the Pacific during World War II, with Jarvis, Blue, in 1944 Mugford suffered extensive damage from a kamikaze hit that put her out of combat for six months. Ralph Talbot later received a hit off Okinawa. After the war, Bagley, Helm, and Patterson were decommissioned in 1945, Mugford and Ralph Talbot, still in commission, were targets during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini atoll in 1946. Contaminated by radiation, they were scuttled off Kwajalein in 1948, the eight Bagleys were part of a series of three classes with similar characteristics laid down 1935-1937. The other two were the Gridley class and the Benham class, All three featured four 5 inch dual purpose guns and sixteen 21 inch torpedo tubes in four quadruple mounts as built, the largest number of torpedo tubes on any US destroyers. Although all had only one stack, they differed primarily in their machinery, the Gridleys were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company with advanced high-pressure boilers but turbines generally similar to the earlier Farragut class, which limited their range. The Benhams were a Gibbs & Cox design with new boiler design that allowed a reduction from four boilers to three, with an efficient turbine arrangement resembling the Mahans. The Bagleys propulsion plant repeated that of the Mahans, steam pressure was 400 psi, superheated to 700 °F. Features that improved fuel economy included boiler economizers, double reduction gearing, the ships range was 6,940 nmi at 12 knots,1,400 nmi farther than the Gridleys. The engines developed 47,191 shp on Bagleys trials, the main turbines were manufactured by General Electric. Steam from the boilers was supplied to the HP turbine, which exhausted to the LP turbine, the Bagleys had the same armament as the Gridleys and Benhams, four 5 inch dual purpose guns in single mounts and sixteen 21 inch torpedo tubes in quadruple mounts. The class was equipped with the Mark 11 torpedo or Mark 12 torpedo. This was the heaviest armament in torpedoes ever on US destroyers, compared with the Mahans, they sacrificed one gun for four additional torpedo tubes. It was suggested that these ships could use curved ahead fire, as with most other US destroyers of this period, the 5 inch guns featured all-angle power loading and were director controlled, making them as effective as the technology allowed against aircraft
5.
Benham-class destroyer
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The Benham class of ten destroyers was built for the United States Navy. They were part of a series of USN destroyers limited to 1,500 tons standard displacement by the London Naval Treaty, the class was laid down in 1936-1937 and all were commissioned in 1939. Much of their design was based on the immediately preceding Gridley, like these classes, the Benhams were notable for including sixteen 21-inch torpedo tubes, the heaviest torpedo armament ever on US destroyers. They introduced a new boiler that saved space and weight. The class served extensively in World War II in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, the ten Benhams were part of a series of three classes with similar characteristics laid down 1935-1937. The other two were the Gridley class and the Bagley class, All three featured four 5-inch dual purpose guns and sixteen 21-inch torpedo tubes in four quadruple mounts as built, the largest number of torpedo tubes on any US destroyers. Although all had only one stack, they differed primarily in their machinery, the Benhams were a Gibbs & Cox design with a new high-pressure boiler design that allowed a reduction from four boilers to three, with an efficient turbine arrangement resembling the Mahans. The Gridleys were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company with advanced high-pressure boilers but turbines generally similar to the earlier Farragut class, except for the 1850-ton Somers class, the Benhams propulsion plant was the most advanced yet installed in US destroyers. A new Babcock & Wilcox boiler design was used that allowed a reduction from four boilers to three, saving space and weight. Steam pressure was increased from 400 psi to 600 psi, superheated to 700 °F as in the Gridleys, features that improved fuel economy included boiler economizers, double reduction gearing, and cruising turbines. Range was somewhat less than in the Bagleys at 5,390 nmi versus 6,940 nmi, the main turbines developed 49,250 shp on Benhams trials and were manufactured by Westinghouse. The Benhams had the armament as the Gridleys and Bagleys, four 5-inch/38 caliber dual purpose guns in single mounts. The Mark 15 torpedo was equipped and this was the heaviest armament in torpedoes ever on US destroyers. Compared with the Mahans, they sacrificed one gun for four additional torpedo tubes and it was suggested that these ships could use curved ahead fire, using the adjustable post-launch gyro angle of their torpedoes to launch a sixteen-torpedo spread ahead of the ship. As with most other US destroyers of this period, the 5-inch guns featured all-angle power loading and were director controlled, by late 1942, radio proximity fuses made them much more effective. As in the last two Maurys, the two forward 5-inch guns were in enclosed mounts, while the guns were open. However, in the Benhams, the two mounts were a Mark 30 Mod 1 base-ring type with an integral ammunition hoist fed from a handling room below each gun. In common with all US surface combatants in the 1930s, the as-built light AA armament was weak and it was apparently felt that the heavy AA armament would shoot down most incoming aircraft in all situations, but the attack on Pearl Harbor showed that this was not true
6.
Benson-class destroyer
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The Benson class was a class of destroyers of the U. S. Navy built 1939–1943. The thirty 1, 620-ton Benson-class destroyers were built in two groups, the first six were authorized in fiscal year 1938 and laid down at Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Massachusetts and three naval shipyards. The remaining 24 “repeat Bensons” were authorized in 1940–42 and built at four Bethlehem Steel yards and they were laid down after the first group was commissioned. These plus the “repeat Livermores” were also known at the time as the Bristol class, during World War II the Bensons were usually combined with the Livermores as the Benson-Livermore class, this persisted in references until at least the 1960s. In some references both classes are combined and called the Benson class, the Benson- and Gleaves-class destroyers were the backbone of the pre-war Neutrality Patrols and brought the action to the enemy by participating in every major campaign of the war. The lead ship of the class was named after William Shepherd Benson and he commanded USS Albany, USS Missouri, USS Utah, and the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Benson was appointed first Chief of Naval Operations in 1915 and then served as CNO until he retired 25 September 1919 and he died in Washington, D. C.20 May 1932. The Bensons were originally envisioned as a class of 24 ships. Six of these were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding, to be built at a Bethlehem yard and several naval shipyards, All were to have 600 psi steam superheated to 750 °F, with cruising turbines and double-reduction gearing to maximize fuel efficiency. After contract award, Bethlehem requested that their design be modified to use less-complex single-reduction gears, Bethlehem claimed they could achieve comparable fuel efficiency with the simpler machinery. This request was granted, but FY39 and FY40 ships, beginning with Livermore, so the class was known through World War II as the Benson-Livermore class, and this name persisted in many references until at least the 1960s. In the spring of 1938 the Navys Bureau of Steam Engineering requested that the FY39 and it proved possible for Bath to build their two FY38 ships, Gleaves and Niblack, to the new design. Gleaves was completed prior to Livermore and had a hull number. The only external difference between the Benson and Gleaves classes was the shape of the stacks, the Bensons were flat-sided, after the Fall of France in 1940 a rapid expansion of the Navy was envisioned. To fill the gap until the Fletcher-class destroyers would be ready for service,24 repeat Bensons were built by several Bethlehem yards, while an additional 48 repeat Gleaveses were built by various other builders. The repeat ships were ordered with reduced torpedo and gun armament and increased anti-submarine, in some references the Benson and Gleaves classes are combined as the Benson class. Loss of one compartment, or even two adjacent compartments, would no longer disable the entire propulsion system and they also introduced quintuple torpedo tube mounts. Their scantlings, or framing dimensions, were increased to carry the weight of the new machinery and this increased the ships displacement by about sixty tons, to 1620 tons standard displacement
7.
Caldwell-class destroyer
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The Caldwell class of destroyers served in the United States Navy near the end of World War I. Four served as escorts in the Atlantic, the other two were completed too late for wartime service. They were effectively prototypes of the mass production Wickes and Clemson-class vessels which followed them, although somewhat slower, the forward sheer of the Caldwell class was improved to keep A mount from being constantly washed out, however, this was unsuccessful. The Caldwells had a cutaway stern rather than the stern of the later ships. The armament of the Sampsons was retained, but the broadside 4-inch guns were relocated to bandstands aft of the bridge, there were differences in appearance, Caldwell, Craven and Manley were built with four stacks, while Gwin, Conner and Stockton had only three. The middle stack of the ships was wider due to combining two boiler uptakes. Once the mass-production destroyers made the design prevalent, the Caldwells and she saw action at Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Saipan, and the Philippines. Three entered Royal Navy service in 1940 under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement as part of the Town class, Conner, serving as HMS Leeds, provided cover at Gold Beach on 6 June 1944, her sisters served as convoy escorts. All three survived the war, two being sunk as targets and one scrapped, postwar, the armament repeated that of the preceding Sampson-class of thousand tonners, and would be retained in the subsequent mass production flush deckers. While the gun armament was typical for destroyers of this period, a factor in the size of the torpedo armament was the General Boards decision to use broadside rather than centerline torpedo tubes. The Mark 8 torpedo was equipped, the bandstand location of the waist 4-inch guns kept the mounts dry, but restricted the firing arc. These ships carried a 3-inch 23 caliber anti-aircraft gun, typically just aft of the bow 4-inch gun, the original design called for two 1-pounder AA guns, but these were in short supply and the 3-inch gun was more effective. Anti-submarine armament was added during World War I, or included in the design with DD-70. Typically, a depth charge rack was provided aft, along with a Y-gun depth charge projector forward of the aft deckhouse. As a somewhat experimental class, the Caldwells differed in their engineering, Gwin and Conner, built by Cramp, followed the classs original design, with three-shaft direct drive steam turbines. A high-pressure turbine on the center shaft exhausted to low-pressure turbines on the outboard shafts, a geared cruising turbine was provided on the center shaft for fuel economy at low and moderate speeds. The remaining ships had two shafts with geared turbines and no cruising turbines and this arrangement saw an increase from 18,500 to 20,000 shaft horsepower and the ships speed from 30 to 32 knots. With a further increase in horsepower, this geared turbine arrangement was adopted for the mass-production classes, the 6 ships of the Caldwell class were, Friedman, Norman
8.
Clemson-class destroyer
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The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II. The Clemson class was a redesign of the Wickes class for greater fuel capacity. As finally built, the Clemson class would be a fairly straightforward expansion of the Wickes-class destroyers and these designs included a reduction in speed to between 26–28 knots by eliminating two boilers, freeing up displacement for depth charges and more fuel. This proposal foreshadowed the destroyer escorts of World War II, upgrading the gun armament from 4-inch to 5-inch guns was also considered, but only five ships were armed with 5-inch guns. In addition, the stern of the Wickes-class destroyers resulted in a large turning radius. In the end the General Board decided the 35 knots speed be retained so as to allow the Clemson class to be used as a fleet escort, the pressing need for destroyers overruled any change that would slow production compared to the proceeding Wickes class. Wing tanks for oil were installed on either side of the ships to increase the operational range. This design choice meant the oil would be stored above the waterline and create additional vulnerability. The class resulted from a General Board recommendation for further destroyers to combat the threat, culminating in a total of 267 Wickes-. However, the design of the ships remained optimized for operation with the battleship fleet, the main armament was the same as the Wickes class, four 4-inch /50 caliber guns and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes. Although the design provided for two guns, most ships carried a single 3-inch /23 caliber AA gun, typically on the aft deckhouse. A frequent modification was replacing the aft 4-inch gun with the 3-inch gun to more room for the depth charge tracks. Anti-submarine armament was added during or after construction, typically, two depth charge tracks were provided aft, along with a Y-gun depth charge projector forward of the aft deckhouse. Despite the provision for 5-inch guns, only seven ships were built with a gun armament. USS Hovey and USS Long had twin 4-inch/50 mounts for a total of eight guns, while an increased rudder size helped, the answer would be in a redesigned stern, but this was not implemented. They were reported to be prone to rolling in light load conditions. The flush deck gave the great strength but this also made the deck very wet. Fourteen ships of the class were involved in the Honda Point Disaster in 1923, many never saw wartime service, as a significant number were decommissioned in 1930 and scrapped as part of the London Naval Treaty
9.
Farragut-class destroyer (1934)
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The Farragut-class destroyers were a class of eight 1, 365-ton destroyers in the United States Navy, and the first US destroyers of post-World War I design. Their construction, along with the Porter class, was authorized by Congress on 29 April 1916, limited to 1,500 tons standard displacement by the provisions of the London Naval Treaty of 1930, the ships were laid down beginning in 1932 and were completed by 1935. After 12 years since the last of the class of American destroyers was commissioned. These ships were larger than their predecessors, faster. The class was the first of six classes of 1, 500-ton destroyers built in the 1930s to modernize the United States Navy, after numerous incremental improvements, the 1, 500-tonners were succeeded by the 2, 100-ton Fletcher class, which was not subject to treaty restrictions. The Farraguts were an improvement from previous destroyers, taking advantage of technological advances during the 12-year gap in destroyer production. The impact of aircraft on naval warfare was reflected in their heavy main gun armament. They also had greatly improved machinery and greater fuel capacity that extended their range to 5,980 nautical miles as opposed to the Clemsons 4,900 nautical miles and their larger size and improved habitability soon earned them the nickname of goldplaters from the crews of older destroyers. The list of desired improvements compiled from the experience of the earlier Wickes. Both classes had pointed sterns that deeply dug into the water and this was addressed with the transom stern design of the Farragut class. The previous classes were flush deck designs, while providing good hull strength and this was addressed with the raised forecastle employed on the Farragut class. The Farragut class corrected this range deficiency by having a range of 5,980 nautical miles as opposed to the Clemsons 4,900 nautical miles. Steady improvements to boilers and steam turbines in the years between the Clemson and Farragut designs allowed this improved range, along with greater speed and a reduction from 4 to 2 stacks. Those advantages were, The Farragut class was 3.3 knots faster, the class had double the GM height. They had 25% more armament—5 main guns rather than 4—and about 35% greater firepower, All 8 torpedo tubes were on the preferred centerline position. The guns were fed by power hoist from the magazines, being high-freeboard vessels, sea-keeping was much improved over the flush deckers that preceded it. The radius of action increased by 450 nautical miles and this had all been accomplished on a displacement rise of only 22%. However, the Farragut-class destroyers were considered unstable in heavy weather and this was compounded by war-time modifications that made them even more top-heavy
10.
Fletcher-class destroyer
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The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the destroyer leader types of the Porter. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War, the United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the design was generally regarded as highly successful. Fletchers had a speed of 38 knots, and an armament of five 5 guns in single mounts with 1021 torpedoes in two quintuple centerline mounts. The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives, the long-range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. They could cover the vast distances required by fleet actions in the Pacific, in fact, they served almost exclusively in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, during which they accounted for 29 Imperial Japanese Navy submarines sunk. Three have been preserved as museum ships in the U. S. the Fletcher class was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and popular with the destroyer men themselves. Compared to earlier classes built for the Navy, they carried a significant increase in weapons and other weaponry. Their flush deck construction added structural strength, although it did make them rather cramped, the Fletcher-class was the first generation of destroyers designed after the series of Naval Treaties that had limited ship designs heretofore. The growth in the design was in part to answer a question that always dogged U. S. Navy designs, that being the long range required by operations in the Pacific Ocean. They were also to no less than five 5 in guns and ten deck-mounted torpedo tubes on the centerline. Compared to earlier designs, the Fletchers were large, allowing them to absorb the addition of two 40 mm Bofors quadruple mount AA guns as well as six 20 mm Oerlikon dual AA gun positions. This addition to the AA suite required the deletion of the forward quintuple torpedo mount, Fletchers were also much less top-heavy than previous classes, allowing them to take on additional equipment and weapons without major redesign. They were fortunate in catching American production at the moment, becoming the destroyer design, and only Fletcher-class derivatives. The first design inputs were in the fall of 1939 from questionnaires distributed around design bureaus, the design parameters were the armaments desired of the next destroyer. As such, the questions were of how many guns, torpedoes, also asked was at what point would the design grow large enough to become a torpedo target instead of a torpedo delivery system. As with other previous U. S. flush deck destroyer designs and this was mitigated by deployment to the Pacific Ocean, which is relatively calm. To achieve 38 kn with a 500-ton increase in displacement, shaft horsepower was increased from 50,000 to 60,000 compared to the previous Benson and Gleaves classes
11.
Gearing-class destroyer
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The Gearing class is a group of 98 destroyers built for the U. S. Navy during and shortly after World War II. The Gearing design was a modification of the immediately preceding Allen M. Sumner class. The hull was lengthened 14 ft amidships, creating more space for fuel. The first Gearings were not ready for service until mid-1945, so they saw little wartime service. They continued serving, with a series of upgrades, until the 1970s, at that time many were sold to other nations, where they served many more years. ARM Netzahualcóyotl, was active in the Mexican Navy until 2014, as of April 2012 two were laid up in non-operational condition in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROCS Chien Yang and ROCS Sheng Yang. 31 vessels were authorised on 9 July 1942, DD-710 to DD-721 awarded to Federal Shipbuilding, dD-742 to DD-743 awarded to Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. DD-763 to DD-769 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, dD-782 to DD-791 awarded to Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle. 4 vessels were authorised on 13 May 1942, DD-805 to DD-808 awarded to Bath Iron Works, Bath,3 vessels were authorised on 27 March 1943 under the Vinson–Trammell Act, DD-809 to DD-811 awarded to Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. 118 vessels were authorised on 19 July 1943 under the 70% Expansion Act, DD-812 awarded to Bath Iron Works, Bath, dD-813 to DD-814 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island. DD-815 to DD-825 awarded to Consolidated Steel, Orange, dD-826 to DD-850 awarded to Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. DD-851 to DD-853 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, Fore River Shipyard, dD-854 to DD-856 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island. DD-858 to DD-861 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, San Pedro, dD-862 to DD-872 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island. DD-873 to DD-890 awarded to Consolidated Steel, Orange, dD-891 to DD-893 awarded to Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny. DD-894 to DD-895 awarded to Consolidated Steel, Orange, dD-896 to DD-904 awarded to Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. DD-905 to DD-908 awarded to Boston Navy Yard, dD-909 to DD-916 awarded to Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island. DD-917 to DD-924 awarded to Consolidated Steel, Orange, dD-925 to DD-926 awarded to Charleston Navy Yard. In March 1945, the orders for 36 of the vessels were cancelled
12.
Gleaves-class destroyer
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The Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–42, designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was USS Gleaves and they were the production destroyer of the US Navy when it entered World War II. Initially, Gleaves and Niblack, although designed by Gibbs & Cox and this temporarily made Livermore the lead ship with more complex machinery, so the class was initially called the Livermore class, and this name persisted through World War II. However, it proved possible for Gleaves and Niblack to be built to the Livermore design. Since Gleaves was completed before Livermore and had a hull number. Eighteen of these were commissioned in 1940–41, the remaining 48 “repeat Gleaveses” were authorized in 1940–42. These plus the 16 repeat Bensons were also known at the time as the Bristol class, during World War II the Bensons were usually combined with the Livermores as the Benson-Livermore class, this persisted in references until at least the 1960s. The classes are now called the Benson-Gleaves class, in some references both classes are combined and called the Benson class. The Benson- and Gleaves-class destroyers were the backbone of the pre-war Neutrality Patrols, the Bensons were originally envisioned as a single class of 24 ships, the first eight of which were ordered in fiscal year 1938. Six of these were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding, to be built at a Bethlehem yard and several naval shipyards, All were to have 600 psi steam superheated to 750 °F, with cruising turbines and double-reduction gearing to maximize fuel efficiency. After contract award, Bethlehem requested that their design be modified to use less-complex single-reduction gears, Bethlehem claimed they could achieve comparable fuel efficiency with the simpler machinery. This request was granted, but FY39 and FY40 ships, beginning with Livermore, so the class was known through World War II as the Benson-Livermore class, and this name persisted in many references until at least the 1960s. In the spring of 1938 the Navys Bureau of Steam Engineering requested that the FY39 and it proved possible for Bath to build their two FY38 ships, Gleaves and Niblack, to the new design. Gleaves was completed prior to Livermore and had a hull number. The only external difference between the Benson and Gleaves classes was the shape of the stacks, the Bensons were flat-sided, after the Fall of France in 1940 a rapid expansion of the Navy was envisioned. To fill the gap until the Fletcher-class destroyers would be ready for service,24 repeat Bensons were built by several Bethlehem yards, while an additional 48 repeat Gleaveses were built by various other builders. The repeat ships were ordered with reduced torpedo and gun armament and increased anti-submarine, in some references the Benson and Gleaves classes are combined as the Benson class. Loss of one compartment, or even two adjacent compartments, would no longer disable the entire propulsion system and this design was credited with the survival of USS Kearny after she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-568 near Iceland in October 1941, before the US entered the war
13.
Gridley-class destroyer
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The Gridley-class destroyers were a class of four 1500-ton destroyers in the United States Navy. They were part of a series of USN destroyers limited to 1,500 tons standard displacement by the London Naval Treaty, the first two ships were laid down on 3 June 1935 and commissioned in 1937. The second two were laid down in March 1936 and commissioned in 1938, based on the preceding Mahan-class destroyers with somewhat different machinery, they had the same hull but had only a single stack and mounted sixteen 21 inch torpedo tubes, an increase of four. To compensate for the torpedo armament weight, the gun armament was slightly reduced from five 5/38 caliber guns to four. USS Maury made the highest trial speed ever recorded for a United States Navy destroyer,42.8 knots, All four ships served extensively in World War II, notably in the Solomon Islands and the Battle of the Philippine Sea, with Maury receiving a Presidential Unit Citation. The four Gridleys were part of a series of three classes with similar characteristics laid down 1935-1937, the other two were the Bagley class and the Benham class. All three featured four 5 inch guns and sixteen 21 inch torpedo tubes in four quadruple mounts as built, although all had only one stack, they differed primarily in their machinery. The Gridleys were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company with advanced high-pressure boilers but turbines generally similar to the earlier Farragut class, the Bagleys were a Navy design that duplicated the machinery of the preceding long-range Mahan class. The Benhams were a Gibbs & Cox design with new boiler design that allowed a reduction from four boilers to three, with an efficient turbine arrangement resembling the Mahans. The Gridleys boilers were a significant upgrade from the Mahan class, with steam pressure increased from 465 psi to 565 psi, the increased steam pressure contributed to fuel economy. The boilers were Yarrow-type boilers built by Bethlehem Steel, however, the turbines were generally similar to the Farragut class, and thus were less efficient than those in the Mahan class. They were Parsons-type reaction turbines built by Bethlehem Steel, with single-reduction gearing, the result was a reduced range of 5,520 nautical miles compared to 6,940 nautical miles for the Mahans. The Gridleys introduced an armament of four 5 inch dual purpose guns in single mounts, the class was initially equipped with the Mark 11 torpedo or Mark 12 torpedo, which were replaced by the Mark 15 torpedo beginning in 1938. Their near-sisters the Bagleys and Benhams duplicated this armament, the heaviest in torpedoes ever on US destroyers, compared with the Mahans, they sacrificed one gun for four additional torpedo tubes. It was suggested that these ships could use curved ahead fire, as with most other US destroyers of this period, the 5 inch guns featured all-angle power loading and were director controlled, making them as effective as the technology allowed against aircraft. By late 1942, radio proximity fuses made them more effective. As in the last two Maurys, the two forward 5 inch guns were in enclosed mounts, while the guns were open. However, in common with all US surface combatants in the 1930s and it was apparently felt that the heavy AA armament would shoot down most incoming aircraft in all situations, but the attack on Pearl Harbor showed that this was not true
14.
Mahan-class destroyer
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The Mahan-class destroyers of the United States Navy were a series of 18 destroyers of which the first 16 were laid down in 1934. The last two of the 18, Dunlap and Fanning, are considered as a separate ship class. All 18 were commissioned in 1936 and 1937, Mahan was the lead ship, named for Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, an influential historian and theorist on sea power. The Mahans featured improvements over previous destroyers, with 12 torpedo tubes, superimposed gun shelters, standard displacement increased from 1,365 tons to 1,500 tons. All 18 ships saw action in World War II, entirely in the Pacific Theater, including during the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the battles of the Santa Cruz Islands, Leyte Gulf, six ships were lost in combat and two were expended in the postwar Operation Crossroads nuclear tests. The remainder were decommissioned, sold, or scrapped after the war, collectively, the ships received 111 battle stars for their World War II service. The Mahan-class destroyers emerged as improved versions of the Farragut class, All five 5 in/38s were kept and remained dual purpose guns, able to target aircraft as well as ships, but only No.1 and No.2 had gun shields. The traditional destroyer machinery was replaced with a new generation of land-based machinery, double reduction gearing also reduced the size of the faster-turning turbines and allowed cruising turbines to be added. These changes led to a ten percent increase in displacement over the Farraguts, the Mahans typically had a tripod foremast with a pole mainmast. To improve the field of fire, their tripod foremast was constructed without nautical rigging. In silhouette, they were similar to the larger Porter-class destroyers that preceded them. The Mahans were fitted with the first emergency generators, replacing the batteries of earlier classes. Gun crew shelters were built for the weapons, one shelter before the bridge. The Mahans displaced 1,500 long tons at load and 1,725 long tons at deep load. The overall length of the class was 341 feet 3 inches, the beam was 35 feet 6 inches, and they were powered by General Electric geared steam turbines, driving two shafts that developed a total of 46,000 shaft horsepower for a maximum speed of 37 knots. Four Babcock & Wilcox or four Foster Wheeler water-tube boilers generated the steam needed for the turbines. The Mahans carried a maximum of 523 long tons of fuel oil and their peacetime complement was 158 officers and enlisted men. The wartime complement increased to approximately 250 officers and enlisted men, the Mahans propulsion plant was considerably improved over that of the Farraguts
15.
Porter-class destroyer
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The Porter-class destroyers were a class of eight 1, 850-ton large destroyers in the United States Navy. Like the preceding Farragut-class, their construction was authorized by Congress on 26 April 1916, the first four Porters were laid down in 1933 by New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey and the next four in 1934 at Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts. All were commissioned in 1936 except Winslow, which was commissioned in 1937 and they were built in response to the large Fubuki-class destroyers that the Imperial Japanese Navy was building at the time, and were initially designated as flotilla leaders. They served extensively in World War II, in the Pacific War, the Atlantic, Porter was the classs only loss, in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. The larger destroyer leader type had been under consideration since 1921. Indeed the General Board recommended the construction of five of the type in that year, one factor in favor of leaders was the Navys total lack of modern light cruisers, only partly alleviated by the ten Omaha-class ships built in the 1920s. Naval historian Norman Friedman believed that the number of Wickes. The London Naval Treaty and large French destroyers seem to have become the tipping points, the Porters had the same propulsion technology as the immediately preceding Farraguts, with 400 psi steam superheated to 645 °F. The plant was somewhat larger than in the Farraguts, with designed horsepower increased from 42,800 shaft horsepower to 50,000 shaft horsepower, resulting in a speed of 37 kn. Along with the fuel efficiency resulting from superheated steam, the four boilers included economizers to further extend the ships range by preheating incoming feedwater. The main steam turbines were manufactured by New York Shipbuilding in the case of the built by that yard. However, as in the Farraguts, the turbines had single reduction gearing and no cruising turbines. There were extensive discussions about the armament, the 5-inch /25 caliber anti-aircraft gun being favored as being easy to work and train in a fast moving, the other candidate was the 5-inch/51 caliber surface type, being very powerful but all but useless against aircraft. It was a discussion made more interesting as the 5-inch/38 caliber dual purpose gun became available in the early 1930s, the 5-inch/38 gun was simply a 5-inch/25 gun with the same projectiles and a longer barrel, but that significantly increased its range against both air and surface targets. The class was built with eight Mk 12 5-inch/38 caliber guns in four Mark 22 single purpose twin enclosed mounts. Anti-aircraft protection was provided by two quadruple 1. 1-inch mounts, in the 1930s this was considered sufficient, although the Porters had the same eight 21-inch torpedo tubes as the Farraguts, a full set of reloads was carried. In some ships, mount 52 was replaced by a quad 40 mm mount, additional 40 mm guns were added amidships along with 20 mm weapons. On most ships four K-gun depth charge throwers were added to augment the as-built pair of depth charge racks, selfridge and Phelps were in port during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and engaged enemy aircraft
16.
Robert H. Smith-class destroyer
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The Robert H. Smith class of destroyer minelayers was built by the United States during World War II. These vessels were all laid down as Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers. In that time the United States produced twelve Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayers and their original hull numbers were DD-735-40, 749-51, and 771-73. None of the Robert H. Smith-class vessels ever laid a mine in wartime, minelayers did not carry torpedo tubes. Otherwise they were used interchangeably with other destroyer types, as radar pickets at Okinawa, Aaron Ward, Lindsey, and J. William Ditter were damaged by kamikazes, and Shea by a Baka bomb. Five of the class served actively in the 1950s, but all survivors were mothballed by the end of the decade and were disposed of in the 1970s, none of this class received FRAM conversions. Friedman, Norman US Destroyers, An Illustrated Design History, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis,2004, gardiner, Robert and Chesneau, Roger, Conways all the worlds fighting ships 1922-1946, Conway Maritime Press,1980. Warships of World War II, ISBN 0-87021-773-9 Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayers in World War II NavSource Destroyer Photo Page DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps. com US Navy mines page
17.
Sims-class destroyer
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The Sims class of 12 destroyers was built for the United States Navy, and commissioned in 1939 and 1940. They were the last United States destroyer class completed prior to the American entry into World War II, All Sims-class ships saw action in World War II, and seven survived the war. No ship of this class saw service after 1946 and they were built under the Second London Naval Treaty, in which the tonnage limit on destroyer standard displacement was lifted, but an overall tonnage limit remained. Thus, to maximize the number of destroyers and avoid developing an all-new design and they are usually grouped with the 1500-ton classes and were the sixth destroyer class since production resumed with the Farragut class in 1932. The class served extensively in World War II, and five of the class were lost in the war, of the five ships lost, four were at the hands of the Japanese and one at the hands of the Germans. The class served on Neutrality Patrols in the Atlantic in 1940-41, except for Roe, Wainwright, and Buck, the class was transferred to the Pacific shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. All of the ships saw combat service. At the wars end in August 1945, three of the seven survivors were undergoing overhauls that were unfinished, and were ultimately scrapped. The remaining four ships were used as targets during the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic tests at Bikini Atoll. One was sunk by the first blast, while the three were sunk as targets two years later after serving as experimental platforms. The class was designed by Gibbs & Cox and they incorporated streamlining of the bridge structure and the forward part of the hull, in an attempt to increase speed and improve fuel economy. They also had an additional 5-inch gun, with the torpedo tubes re-arranged so one less quadruple mount could be used while maintaining an eight-tube broadside, one 5-inch gun and one quad torpedo tube mount were removed, with another torpedo tube mount relocated to the centerline. Acting Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison proposed consolidation of the divisions of the two bureaus. When the bureau chiefs could not agree on how to do this, the consolidation into the new Bureau of Ships was finally effected by a law passed by Congress on 20 June 1940. The Sims class nearly duplicated the machinery of the preceding Benham class. The Benson class and their successors had echeloned boiler and engine rooms for increased survivability, in the echeloned arrangement, a loss of two adjacent compartments would still leave one boiler room and one engine room operational. Steam pressure was 600 psi, superheated to 715 °F, features that improved fuel economy included boiler economizers, double reduction gearing, and cruising turbines. The main turbines developed 51,138 shp on Sims trials and were manufactured by Westinghouse, the Sims class introduced the advanced Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System
18.
Somers-class destroyer
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The Somers-class destroyer was a class of five 1850-ton United States Navy destroyers based on the Porter class. They were answers to the destroyers that the Japanese navy was building at the time. They were laid down 1935-1936 and commissioned 1937-1939 and they were built to round out the thirteen destroyers of 1,850 tons standard displacement allowed by the tonnage limits of the London Naval Treaty, and were originally intended to be repeat Porters. However, new high-pressure, high-temperature boilers became available, allowing the use of a single stack and this combined with weight savings allowed an increase from two quadruple centerline torpedo tube mounts to three. However, the Somers class were still over-weight and top-heavy and this was the first US destroyer class to use 600 psi steam superheated to 850 °F, which became standard for US warships built in the late 1930s and World War II. Like the Porters, they were built with eight 5-inch /38 caliber guns in four single purpose twin mounts. Anti-aircraft protection was provided by two quadruple 1. 1-inch machine cannon mounts and two. 50-caliber machine guns. The 1. 1-inch mounts were intended to compensate for the 5-inch guns lack of AA capability, in two ships the torpedo armament was eliminated to maximize the number of 40 mm guns. All of the served in World War II, initially on Neutrality Patrols in the Atlantic. In early 1942 Warrington and Sampson were transferred to the Southeast Pacific Area, in mid-1943 these two were transferred to the Southwest Pacific Area and operated near New Guinea and in the Solomon Islands, the others operated off Brazil and in the Caribbean and South Atlantic. In May 1944 all were transferred to the North Atlantic to support the invasion of Normandy, which Somers, Davis, Somers and Jouett supported the invasion of southern France in August. Warrington foundered in a hurricane in the Bahamas in September 1944, the others escorted convoys for the remainder of the war, and were scrapped by 1947. The new boilers allowed the use of a single stack and this combined with weight savings allowed an increase from two quadruple centerline torpedo tube mounts to three. However, the Somers class were still over-weight and top-heavy, the resulting broadside of twelve torpedo tubes was the heaviest ever on a US destroyer, other classes with sixteen torpedo tubes had an eight-tube broadside. Gun armament remained the same as the Porters, with eight 5-inch/38 caliber single purpose guns in four twin mounts, two quadruple 1. 1-inch machine cannon mounts were added to compensate for the lack of main battery anti-aircraft capability. The Somers-class propulsion plant was the most advanced yet installed in a US Navy destroyer, compared with the Porters, four Babcock & Wilcox boilers of a new air-encased design raised the design horsepower from 50,000 shaft horsepower to 52,000 shaft horsepower. Steam conditions rose to 600 psi, superheated to 850 °F for the first time, boiler economizers were included for improved fuel efficiency. The main steam turbines were impulse-type and included cruising turbines and double-reduction gearing and this increased the ships range from 6,380 nautical miles to 7,020 nautical miles
19.
Wickes-class destroyer
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The Wickes-class destroyers were a class of 111 destroyers built by the United States Navy in 1917–19. Along with the 6 preceding Caldwell-class and 156 subsequent Clemson-class destroyers, only a few were completed in time to serve in World War I, including USS Wickes, the lead ship of the class. While some were scrapped in the 1930s, the rest served through World War II, most of these were converted to other uses, nearly all in U. S. service had half their boilers and one or more stacks removed to increase fuel and range or accommodate troops. Others were transferred to the British Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy, All were scrapped within a few years after World War II. The destroyer type was at time a relatively new class of fighting ship for the U. S. Navy. The type arose in response to torpedo boats that had been developing from 1865, a series of destroyers had been built over the preceding years, designed for high smooth water speed, with indifferent results, especially poor performance in heavy seas and poor fuel economy. The lesson of these destroyers was the appreciation of the need for true seakeeping and seagoing abilities. There were few cruisers in the Navy, which was a fleet of battleships and destroyers so destroyers performed scouting missions. A report of October 1915 by Captain W. S. Sims noted that the smaller destroyers used fuel far too quickly, and that war games showed the need for fast vessels with a larger radius of action. As a result, the size of U. S. destroyer classes increased steadily, starting at 450 tons and rising to over 1,000 tons between 1905 and 1916. The increase in size has never stopped, with some US Arleigh Burke-class destroyers now up to 10,800 tons full load. With World War I then in its year and tensions between the U. S. and Germany increasing, the U. S. needed to expand its navy. The Naval Appropriation Act of 1916 called for a second to none. The Act authorized 10 battleships,6 Lexington-class battlecruisers,10 Omaha-class scout cruisers, a subsequent General Board recommendation for further destroyers to combat the submarine threat resulted in a total of 267 Wickes- and Clemson-class destroyers completed. However, the design of the ships remained optimized for operation with the battleship fleet, the requirements of the new design were high speed and mass production. The development of warfare during World War I created a requirement for destroyers in numbers that had not been contemplated before the war. A top speed of 35 knots was needed for operation with the Lexington battlecruisers, the final design had a flush deck and four smokestacks. It was a fairly straightforward evolution of the preceding Caldwell class, General dissatisfaction with the earlier 1,000 ton designs led to the fuller hull form of the flush deck type
20.
USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)
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USS Aaron Ward was a Gleaves-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship named in honor of Rear Admiral Aaron Ward and she sank on 7 April 1943 in a shoal near Tinete Point of Nggela Sule, Solomon Islands during Operation I-Go. Her wreck was discovered on 4 September 1994, the ship was commissioned on 4 March 1942 with Commander Orville F. Gregor in command. A short time later, as the Battle of Midway was developing off to the westward, with the detachment of Long Island from the task force on 17 June, Aaron Ward screened her on her voyage back to San Diego. After local operations off the west coast, Aaron Ward sailed for Hawaii on 30 June 1942, assigned to escort duties soon afterwards, she convoyed Cimarron to Nouméa. During the course of the voyage she made two sound contacts, one on 5 August and the other the day, which she developed and attacked with depth charges. Although she claimed a probable sinking in each case, neither kill was borne out in postwar accounting, subsequently assigned to screening duties with forces seeking to cover and resupply Guadalcanal, Aaron Ward saw Wasp torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 on 15 September 1942. Within a months time, Aaron Ward was earmarked for a bombardment mission on 17 October. She stood into Lunga Roads to lie to and await the arrival of a Marine liaison officer who would designate targets for the ship, before she could embark passengers, though, she spotted five enemy bombers approaching from the west. These attacked Aaron Ward but ran into an antiaircraft barrage from both the ship and marine guns on shore. The destroyer went ahead at speed when she spotted the attackers, to carry out evasive maneuvers and avoid the falling bombs. Three bombs splashed 100 to 300 yards astern of the ship, the Marines claimed two of the five attackers destroyed, while the ship and the Marines shared a third kill. For three hours, Aaron Ward shelled Japanese shore positions, her targets ranging from a gun emplacement to ammunition dumps, fires, smoke, and explosions marked her visit as she quit the area. Reaching Lunga Roads, she disembarked her passengers and after going on alert for a Japanese air raid that failed to materialize, cleared Lengo Channel and rejoined her task force. Three days later, while again performing screening operations, Aaron Ward saw the cruiser Chester take a hit on 20 October from Japanese submarine I-176. The destroyer went to the aid of the cruiser and dropped a full depth charge pattern on Chesters assailant. She then escorted the cruiser to Espiritu Santo. Steaming to its area, the task group reached its destination within an hours time
21.
USS Aaron Ward (DM-34)
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The third ship named USS Aaron Ward in honor of Rear Admiral Aaron Ward was a Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayer in the service of the United States Navy. She was laid down as an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer on 12 December 1943 at San Pedro, California by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and launched on 5 May 1944, sponsored by Mrs. G. H. Ratliff. The ship was redesignated a destroyer minelayer, DM-34, on 19 July 1944, between commissioning and the end of January 1945, Aaron Ward completed fitting out and conducted her shakedown cruise off the California coast. On 9 February, she departed San Pedro, bound for Pearl Harbor where she arrived on 15 February, the warship conducted additional training in Hawaiian waters before loading supplies and ammunition and getting underway on 5 March to join the 5th Fleet at Ulithi. She entered the lagoon of that atoll in the Western Carolines on 16 March, the Mine Flotilla, of which Aaron Ward was a unit, arrived off Okinawa late on 22 March. The following day, the minelayer got her first glimpse of the enemy when some of his planes approached the sweep group. More came in later, but the gunfire of the group dissuaded them from approaching close enough to harm the American ships. The first actual air raid occurred on 26 March, and Adams knocked the intruder out of the sky, Aaron Ward supported minesweeping operations around Kerama Retto and Okinawa until the time of the first landings. During that period, she accounted for three enemy aircraft, on 1 April, the day of the initial assault on Okinawa, the destroyer minelayer began screening the heavy warships providing gunfire support for the troops ashore. That duty lasted until 4 April when she departed the Ryūkyūs and she arrived at Saipan on 10 April but shifted to Guam later that day. After several days of repairs, Aaron Ward headed back to Okinawa to patrol in the area around Kerama Retto. During that patrol period, she came under frequent air attack, on 27 April, she shot down one enemy plane, and the next day, accounted for one more and claimed a probable kill in addition. Then she returned to Kerama Retto to replenish her provisions and fuel, while she was there, a kamikaze scored a hit on Pinkney. Aaron Ward moved alongside the stricken evacuation transport to help fight the inferno blazing amidships, while so engaged, she also rescued 12 survivors from Pinkney. On 30 April, the destroyer returned to sea to take up position on radar picket station number 10. That night, she helped repulse several air attacks, but, for the most part, when the weather began to clear, the probability of air attacks rose. At about dusk, Aaron Wards radar picked up bogies at 27 miles distance, two of the planes in the formation broke away and began runs on Aaron Ward. The warship opened fire on the first from about 7,000 yards, at that point, he dipped over into his suicide dive but crashed about 100 yards off the destroyer minelayers starboard quarter
22.
USS Abbot (DD-629)
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USS Abbot was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship named after Commodore Joel Abbot, the destroyer completed outfitting at Boston by 13 May when she reported to the Commander, Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet, for shakedown training. She conducted her training out of Casco Bay, Maine, until 18 June and. On 10 September, Abbot departed the New England coast bound for the western Pacific and she transited the Panama Canal on 16 September and, after a brief stop at San Diego, California, resumed her voyage west on 28 September. The warship arrived in the Hawaiian Islands early in October and began additional training, however, a collision with aircraft carrier Cowpens on 18 October forced her into the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for a repair period lasting almost three months. Abbot finally returned to sea on 10 December and briefly resumed training, in mid-December, the destroyer stood out of Pearl Harbor, bound for the Ellice Islands, and arrived at Funafuti on the day after Christmas. Training and upkeep occupied her time through the days of January 1944. Later that month, Abbot became a unit of Task Group 50.15, Abbot joined Chester, Salt Lake City, Pensacola, and five other destroyers in frequent shore bombardments of the two atolls to keep troops occupied and planes grounded. She continued to perform that duty until 12 February at which time she began patrolling between Majuro and Kwajalein. In mid-April, she became an element of the screen of TG78.2, a carrier group built around Coral Sea, Corregidor, Manila Bay. TG78.2 ended that mission on 5 May, but Abbot remained with the carrier group until 7 May. She reached Espiritu Santo on 12 May, for the next four weeks, Abbot received routine maintenance and conducted training evolutions out of Espiritu Santo. Early in June, the destroyer headed back toward the Central Pacific in company with escort carriers and they stopped at Kwajalein in the Marshalls to make final preparations for the assault on Saipan. On 12 June, she out of Kwajalein lagoon in company with TG53.7, the Carrier Support Group built around Sangamon, Suwanee. The task group arrived in the Mariana Islands on 16 June and she and her charges remained with the invasion force throughout the decisive Battle of the Philippine Sea in which TF58 shattered the remnants of Japanese naval air power. About a week later, on 26 June, she and Hale joined forces to splash a Mitsubishi G4M Betty, through the month of July, Abbot continued to shepherd the carriers while their aviators struck targets on Saipan and Guam in support of the American invasion troops. Early in August, Abbot returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs, relaxation, on the 28th, she began preparing for another amphibious operation. She concluded that training during the week in September and departed Hawaii on the 15th headed for the western Pacific
23.
USS Abner Read (DD-526)
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USS Abner Read was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy, named after Lieutenant Commander Abner Read. She was laid down on 30 October 1941 at San Francisco by Bethlehem Steel and launched on 18 August 1942, the ship was commissioned on 5 February 1943 with Commander T. Burrowes in command. The destroyer held shakedown along the California coast into April and then got underway with Task Group 51.2, bound for the Aleutian Islands. She assumed patrol duties on 4 May and, on 11 May, the destroyer again bombarded Attu on 16 May before returning to San Diego, which she reached on the last day of May. After two weeks in drydock at San Francisco, Abner Read got underway on 14 June for Adak, upon her arrival there, she joined Task Force 16 and, soon thereafter, began patrolling the waters around Kiska Island. On 22 July, as part of Task Group 16.22, between 12 and 15 August, the destroyer again shelled Kiska in support of landing operations on that island. On 17 August, American forces discovered that Japan had removed its forces from the island, while she was patrolling off Kiska that night, Abner Read was shaken by an explosion aft at 0150. The exact cause of the blast was unknown, and it was thought that the destroyer had struck a mine. The concussion tore a hole in her stern and ruptured her smoke tanks. Men sleeping in aft compartments suffered from smoke inhalation, in the darkness, a few men fell through holes in the deck into fuel oil tanks below. Soon the stern broke away and sank, once in the water, the men recovered from the effects of the smoke and could breathe. Abner Read was taken under tow by Ute at 0355 and was pulled to Adak for temporary repairs, the destroyer lost 70 men who were killed or missing, and another 47 were wounded. The yard work was finished on 21 December 1943, and the destroyer commenced training exercises and she moved to Pearl Harbor in February 1944, and while she was underway for Hollandia, New Guinea, her starboard propeller was damaged. This accident required her to put in to Milne Bay, New Guinea, the ship was then attached to TF75 and participated in the bombardment of Hollandia on 22 April. She provided fire support for the landing at Humboldt Bay by the central attack group in Operation Reckless. Her next targets were on the Wakde Islands off the coast of Dutch New Guinea and she sought to neutralize Japanese airstrips located there by concentrated bombardment, which she conducted on 30 April. Abner Read then moved on to Wewak and, on 12 May, the destroyer rendered fire support for the landings at Arara, New Guinea, and bombarded the Wakde-Toem area on 17 May. As part of TG77.3, she pounded Japanese targets on Biak in the Schouten Islands, from 8–9 June, she was involved in an engagement with a Japanese task force off the north coast of Biak
24.
USS Adams (DM-27)
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USS Adams was a destroyer minelayer in the United States Navy. She was named for Lieutenant, junior grade Samuel Adams, the other two USS Adams that have existed were named after the second president. Adams was laid down as DD-739, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, on 20 March 1944 at the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. She was redesignated a Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayer DM-27, on 20 July 1944, launched on 23 July 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Maude Ryan Adams, the widow of Lieutenant Adams. Adams was commissioned at Boston, Massachusetts, on 10 October 1944, after fitting out there, she embarked upon her shakedown cruise on 1 November. That cruise, which took her to Bermuda waters, lasted for the entire month, on 29 November, she headed back toward the United States and arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, on 3 December. Following post-shakedown availability in the yard there, she put to sea on 11 December with Shea, bound for New York City. The two destroyer minelayers departed New York with the carrier on 15 December and set a course for the Panama Canal. The three warships transited the canal on 20 December and, on 22 December, headed for the California coast and they arrived at San Diego on 29 December and remained there two days undergoing repairs. On New Years Day 1945, they got underway again, headed for Oahu, for almost two months, Adams remained in the Hawaiian operating area. During that time, she acted as guard for Bataan while the carrier conducted carrier landing qualifications for naval aviators. She also carried out exercises and shore bombardment practice. The warship spent two periods in the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard—once for the installation of VF radar equipment and again to have her deck plating strengthened. Early in February, she laid mines and tested mine detection equipment on them, later, the warship conducted mine laying exercises. She finished out her tour of duty in the Hawaii area late in February with another plane guard mission with Bataan, the destroyer minelayer stood out of Pearl Harbor on 2 March, bound for the western Pacific. She arrived in Ulithi Atoll on 14 March and remained until 19 March, the warship saw her first combat on 23 March, the day before she arrived off Okinawa. That evening, enemy aircraft attacked her task group, Adams sustained her first casualties when a projectile fired from the after five-inch mount exploded prematurely killing two sailors and injuring another 13. At dawn the following day, she began minesweeping operations off Okinawa, the destroyer minelayer provided gunfire support and mine destruction services to the wooden-hulled minesweepers doing the actual sweeping
25.
USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649)
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USS Albert W. Grant was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the ship named for Vice Admiral Albert W. Grant. Albert W. A. Nisewaner in command and that day, the destroyer departed Charleston Navy Yard for a shakedown cruise to Bermuda and returned to Charleston Navy Yard on 29 January 1944 for minor alterations. Albert W. Grant headed for Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 February and they transited the Panama Canal, joined more ships at San Diego, and finally arrived at Pearl Harbor on 4 March. On 4 April, the sailed for Majuro where she joined TF58 for the invasion at Hollandia. During that New Guinea operation, from 21 to 29 April, Grant engaged in picket duty, inshore patrol duty, on 29 April, she headed for the Caroline Islands with TG58.3 and screened the carriers during strikes on Truk. The task group left for Majuro on 2 May and continued on to Pearl Harbor, after a brief respite, Albert W. Grant got underway on 29 May for Eniwetok, which served as the staging area for the invasion of the Marianas. On 11 June, she sailed to Saipan and commenced her gunfire support activities on 15 June, the destroyer was also involved in action against Tinian. She departed the Saipan area on 29 July and put in to Eniwetok on 2 August, following a brief upkeep period, the destroyer got underway for Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands, on 22 August. On 29 September, she left for Manus Island, the destroyer remained there through 12 October, then sailed for the Philippines as a member of TG77.2. On 17 October, Grant provided protection for Crosby while that fast transport landed troops on Suluan Island, from 17 to 24 October, the destroyer provided fire support for the assault on Leyte. On 24 October, Albert W. Grant joined TG77.2 and that American battleship group met the Japanese force in the Battle of Surigao Strait, and Grant, along with other destroyers in advance of the main battle line, conducted a torpedo attack. During this attack, she was hit and severely damaged by gunfire, not only from Japanese naval forces, Grant suffered 22 hits, many by six-inch shells. Fires broke out, and the ship lost steering control and all power, thirty-eight men were killed and 104 were wounded. Although their ship was down by the bow and listing heavily to port, while en route to Leyte, Grant weathered a typhoon before reaching the anchorage. Following temporary repairs, the sailed for Pearl Harbor on 30 October under tow by Hidatsa. She stopped en route at Seeadler Harbor and Majuro, Grant reached Pearl Harbor on 29 November and, three days later, sailed for Mare Island, California. Following her arrival on 9 December, the destroyer underwent major repair work, Albert W. Grant left the shipyard on 11 March 1945 and headed for Pearl Harbor
26.
USS Alden (DD-211)
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USS Alden was a Clemson-class destroyer of the United States Navy. Serving during World War II, Alden is the ship of the US Navy to have been named for Rear Admiral James Alden. During her trips along the Adriatic coast, she carried mail and passengers and she then again visited Split and Gravosa, in succession, before she proceeded to Salonika, Greece, where she arrived on 15 December. Released from duty with the United States Naval Detachment in the Adriatic soon afterwards and she ultimately reached Manila, Philippine Islands, on 2 February 1921. Following upkeep at the Asiatic Fleets base at Cavite, the sailed for Chinese waters. She operated out of the Asiatic Fleet destroyers summer base until 15 September, assigned special duty, Alden wound up her ten-day stay in that port on 27 September and cleared Shanghai for the Yangtze River port of Hankow, which she reached on 1 October. Remaining there until the 7th, she proceeded back to Shanghai, arriving on the 9th to stay long enough to fuel and take on provisions. Alden arrived at Cavite on 12 October, sailed to Manila two days later for a liberty and recreation port visit. The ship then spent two months operating out of Olongapo on target practice, returning to Manila on 17 December and she then fueled and took on stores at Cavite before she sailed to Mariveles, where she operated with Asiatic Fleet submarines. Alden then conducted long-range battle practice evolutions out of Manila until January 1922, subsequently, she based temporarily out of Olongapo before undergoing a tender availability alongside Buffalo in March. Alden then sailed for Japanese waters, visiting the port of Yokohama, winding up her deployment in the Asiatic Fleet that summer, Alden sailed for the United States, and ultimately reached San Francisco, California on 2 October. She was decommissioned at San Diego, California on 24 January 1923, as part of Destroyer Division 46, and later as a unit of DesDiv 10, Alden was homeported at San Diego, with her home yard at Mare Island Navy Yard. She carried out regular underway training evolutions, with periods of upkeep in port over the next six years. The training for each year culminated in the annual large-scale exercise, over the next few years, Alden participated in six of these. However, she did not participate in Fleet Problem XVII in the spring of 1936 due to DesDiv 10s undergoing two months overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard. Stopping briefly at Pearl Harbor, the ship paused at Wake Island and Guam and she carried out this routine against a backdrop of rising Sino-Japanese tension. Hostility between these two Asiatic powers had flared and abated during the 1930s, and open warfare broke out in July 1937. Alden accompanied Paul Jones, Whipple and Barker to sea from their base at Chefoo, on the latter date, the destroyers sailed for Chefoo and Augusta for Tsingtao
27.
USS Alfred A. Cunningham
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USS Alfred A. Cunningham, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Alfred Austell Cunningham, a USMC officer and aviator. Following shakedown training out of Bermuda, Alfred A. Cunningham returned to New York on 17 January 1945 for post-shakedown availability, proceeding to Norfolk soon thereafter, the destroyer spent the next three months operating in the Chesapeake Bay area as a training ship for prospective destroyer crews. Here the ship introduced hundreds of trainees to life on board a destroyer, engaging in exercises, damage control drills. The two warships then steamed to Guantanamo Bay, then Panama, transiting the canal on 18 May, over the next two weeks, Cunningham remained in Hawaiian waters, undergoing an availability alongside the USS Black Hawk and carrying out training. On 13 June, the destroyer joined Task Group 12.4, a week later, while en route, Cunningham screened carriers launching air strikes on Japanese-held Wake Island. The group arrived at Leyte on 26 June, shortly after arriving at Okinawa on 29 June, she served on radar picket duty off the islands southwest coast. From 1 July until the end of hostilities she served on patrol, escort, following Japans capitulation, Cunningham remained in the Far East, operating off the coast of China between the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea. She performed escort services and served on a patrol between Korea and Japan. The destroyer returned to the United States on 28 March 1946, went into reserve at San Diego on 12 May 1947, and was decommissioned in August 1949. During the buildup of the fleet in the wake of the North Korean invasion of South Korea in late June 1950, Alfred A. Cunningham was recommissioned on 5 October 1950, spear in command, and joined the Pacific Fleet. Following training exercises, the destroyer got underway for the western Pacific on 2 January 1951, Cunningham was involved in a variety of operations, principally serving with Task Force 77, the fast carrier task force, off the coast of Korea. After expending 90 rounds of 5-inch, the destroyer ceased fire at 0605 on the 19th, returning to San Diego on 4 September 1951, Cunningham again sailed for the Far East in March 1952. As before, she steamed with the fast carrier force off Korea. Patrolling some 6,000 yards off the beach at about 1340, at that point, at least three enemy guns opened fire on the ship. The first salvo was a hit, on the main deck, starboard side, several pieces of shrapnel penetrated the shield of mount 51. Two air bursts followed in succession, one on either side of the bridge. Within two minutes time, the North Korean guns had registered four more hits and at least seven air bursts near the ship. One shell penetrated into the fire room, destroying a forced-draft blower
28.
USS Allen (DD-66)
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USS Allen was a Sampson-class destroyer of the United States Navy launched in 1916. She was the second Navy ship named for Lieutenant William Henry Allen, final delivery from Bath Iron Works recorded as 22 October 1917, per the official records of the Bath Iron Works Company. Over the next five months, Allen conducted patrol and escort duty along the eastern seaboard, during that time, the United States entered World War I on the side of the Allies on 6 April. On 14 June, the put to sea from New York in the escort of one of the first convoys to take American troops to Europe. Cooke was later awarded with Navy Cross for his leadership of USS Allen and that duty included escort missions into both French and British ports. Following that mission, the returned to Queenstown, whence she departed on the day after Christmas. Allen pulled into New York on 7 January 1919, after voyage repairs, the destroyer resumed duty along the east coast and in the West Indies with the United States Atlantic Fleet. That duty continued until 22 June 1922 at which time she was placed out of commission and she was placed back in commission three years later, on 23 June 1925. Allen spent almost three years as a platform for naval reservists at Washington, D. C. In March 1928, the returned to the Reserve Fleet and was berthed at Philadelphia. There, she remained for more than 12 years, on 23 August 1940, Allen was recommissioned at Philadelphia, Lieutenant Commander Frederick P. Williams in command. Following a brief period of service on the United States East Coast, by the time Allen returned to commission, the Pacific Fleet had been moved from its base on the United States West Coast to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as a gesture to restrain the Japanese. Therefore, Allen moved to the Hawaiian base whence she operated until the beginning of hostilities between the United States and Japan. On the morning of 7 December 1941, Allen was moored in East Loch to the northeast of Ford Island, following the attack, Allen began duty escorting ships between islands of the Hawaiian chain and patrolling the area for enemy ships, primarily submarines. A primary training function of Allen during this period was to new submarine crews in penetrating ASW defensive positions. This task is recorded in several histories of US submarine operations in the Pacific as their first actual action against a ship and she also made periodic round-trip voyages to the United States West Coast. Such duty remained her occupation throughout World War II, in September 1945, Allen steamed from Hawaii to Philadelphia, where she was placed out of commission on 15 October 1945. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 November 1945, being in service prior to the US entry into World War I, and serving through World War II, Allen was the longest-serving destroyer on the Naval Register when she was sold
29.
USS Allen M. Sumner
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USS Allen M. Sumner, was the lead ship of her class of destroyers. The destroyer was fitted out at the New York Navy Yard until 3 March when she got underway for training in the waters around Bermuda. Allen M. Sumner returned to New York on 8 April, repairs were completed on 3 May, and the warship stood out of New York bound for Norfolk, Virginia. She arrived there the day and began two months of duty as a training platform for destroyer nucleus crews. The warship headed north on 5 July and arrived back at New York the next day, following a five-week availability at the navy yard there, Allen M. Sumner put to sea on 12 August, bound ultimately for the Pacific. Along the way, she conducted antisubmarine warfare and antiair warfare exercises, stopped briefly at Norfolk, the destroyer stayed overnight at San Diego on 7 and 8 September before continuing on to Hawaii. She arrived at Pearl Harbor on 14 September and began five weeks of exercises in the Hawaiian operating area. Her stay in Hawaii lasted until 23 October when she steamed out of Pearl Harbor in company with the battleship North Carolina, steaming via Eniwetok, the destroyer entered Ulithi lagoon on 5 November. Allen M. Sumner remained at Ulithi until 19 November at which time she departed the atoll to join Task Group 38.4 at sea. After rendezvousing with the carriers, she accompanied them to waters near Yap Island whence the aircraft launched air strikes on 22 November before reentering Ulithi that same day. The destroyer remained there for 5 days and then returned to sea and she arrived in San Pedro Bay on 29 November and began patrolling Leyte Gulf. That duty—punctuated intermittently by air alerts—lasted until the evening of 2 December when Allen M. Sumner set course for Ormoc Bay in company with the destroyers Moale and Cooper. Reports from American aircraft earlier that day had indicated that an enemy reinforcement convoy was entering the bay that night, bomb fragments also wounded one officer and 12 men. Air attacks continued, but, just after midnight, the three destroyers made surface radar contact on a pair of Japanese destroyers later identified as Kuwa and Take. Less than 10 minutes into the battle, Kuwa succumbed to the fire of the two destroyers, and the wrecked and burning mass began to sink. Take, however, evened the score just as Allen M. Sumner and Cooper joined Moale in firing on the remaining Japanese warship, one of her torpedoes slammed into Cooper amidships, broke that American destroyers back, and sank her almost immediately. Less than half of Coopers crew managed to get off the ship, most of those were later rescued—but by PBY Catalinas rather than by Coopers division mates who were still being subjected to heavy shore battery fire and air raids. Any attempt at rescue by Allen M. Sumner and Moale would have made them virtually stationary targets, at about 0145 on the 3rd, the two remaining American warships began retirement from Ormoc Bay and set a course for San Pedro Bay where they arrived later that day
30.
USS Ammen (DD-527)
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USS Ammen, a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Daniel Ammen. Ammen put to sea on 30 March bound for San Diego where she completed her shakedown training, the destroyer departed San Diego on 20 April and arrived in San Pedro the following day. Two days later, she embarked upon a voyage to Alaskan waters as part of the screen for Task Force 51, the task force arrived at Cold Bay, Alaska, on 1 May and,10 days later, participated in the landings on Attu Island. During that operation, Ammens primary responsibility consisted of providing antisubmarine, since the air threat never materialized and the submarine menace proved almost as benign, she fired no shots at the enemy but struggled mightily against the inhospitable Aleutian climate. At the conclusion of her part in the operation, Ammen headed back to California, the destroyer underwent two weeks of repairs at San Diego and then moved north to San Francisco where she resumed post-shakedown availability. On 11 July, she departed San Francisco in the screen of another convoy bound for Alaska and she escorted the convoy to a point about 900 miles from Adak Island where other escorts took over the mission. Ammen returned to San Francisco on 21 July but remained only eight days. On 29 July, the put to sea with another Alaska-bound convoy. She shepherded her charges into port at Adak on 5 August and that operation proved to be a walkover for the simple reason that the Japanese had evacuated Kiska. The destroyer returned to Adak on 12 September and remained there until 24 September and she put to sea again on the 24th, made a brief stop back at Kiska on the 25th, and then headed on to Pearl Harbor. Ammen arrived at her destination on 2 October and spent the ensuing nine days practicing gunnery, torpedo, on 11 October, she departed Pearl Harbor in company with Bush. The destroyer arrived back at Adak on 16 October and, for the six weeks patrolled in the Aleutian Islands. On 26 November, Ammen left Adak bound for the southwestern Pacific and she made a five-day stop at Pearl Harbor before resuming her voyage on 9 December. Steaming by way of Funafuti in the Ellice Islands and Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides, there, she became a unit of the 7th Fleet. A. C. In addition to providing antisubmarine and antiaircraft protection for the ships, she transported casualties from the battle ashore. In February, the destroyer visited Sydney, Australia, returning to the New Guinea area at Milne Bay on 22 February, during the first half of March, Ammen busied herself providing gunfire support for the soldiers securing a hold on Los Negros and fighting off air attacks. Between 17 and 19 March, she joined Beale, Daly, Hutchins, during the assault at Tanamerah Bay, the destroyer provided antisubmarine and antiaircraft protection to gunfire support ships of the force and contributed her share of call fire as well. Later, she joined the screen of Task Group 78.2, after a respite at Manus, Ammen departed Seeadler Harbor in mid-May in company again with Admiral Crutchleys Australian and American cruisers and destroyers
31.
USS Anderson (DD-411)
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USS Anderson was a Sims-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Rear Admiral Edwin Alexander Anderson, Jr. a Medal of Honor recipient. Anderson was laid down on 15 November 1937 at Kearny, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, launched on 4 February 1939, sponsored by Mrs. Hobby, Jr. in command. Anderson was the first of the Sims class to be delivered in early 1939 and this touched off a redesign and rebuilding of the class, completed during 1941. One 5 inch gun and one torpedo tube mount were removed. This eventually led to the consolidation of the previous bureaus into the new Bureau of Ships on 20 June 1940. C, on 12 July, assisted by Tecumseh and Undaunted, Anderson got underway for Yorktown, Virginia. She loaded depth charges at the depot at Yorktown before moving to the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk before getting underway on 14 July for Wilmington. Wilmington was the hometown of the man for whom the ship had been named, Admiral Anderson, the local paper editorialized, It is a pleasure to have you in port and to inspect the magnificent new destroyer named in honor of a distinguished son. The ship and its personnel are a credit to the record, therefore, we bid you welcome, and if there is aught that can add to your entertainment while here, you have but to ask any resident and it is yours. Anderson gave a tea for Mrs. Anderson, members of the flag officers family. On the next day, assisted out into the stream by the tug Battler, reaching NOB, Norfolk, on 19 July, Anderson shifted to the Norfolk Navy Yard that same day to take on board ammunition. After embarking six enlisted Marines for transportation to the Marine Barracks at Guantanamo Bay, Anderson got underway on 21 July for Cuban waters, arriving at Guantanamo on 24 July, the destroyer disembarked her passengers before operating locally over the next few days. Anderson then visited San Juan, Puerto Rico, Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, underway on 5 September, the destroyer called briefly at Quebec before she headed for Newport. On 8 September, while en route, Anderson sighted a merchantman eight miles distant, soon thereafter, a plane, identified as British by the wing markings, circled Anderson at low altitude, obviously scrutinizing the ship thoroughly before banking away and heading for the coast. On 16 September, Anderson arrived back at the New York Navy Yard, her shakedown completed, after brief periods underway for testing fire control equipment, Anderson took departure from New York for NOB, Norfolk, arriving on 24 September. She arrived at the New York Navy Yard for post-shakedown availability on the morning of 1 October, these repairs and alterations continuing through the end of January 1940. Anderson then paid a visit to the Boston Navy Yard on 9 February before returning to New York, via the Cape Cod Canal, Buzzards Bay and Oyster Bay. Anderson remained at the Navy Yard through the end of March, after time she sailed for Newport
32.
USS Anthony (DD-515)
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USS Anthony, a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Marine Sergeant Major William Anthony. Anthony was laid down on 17 August 1942 at Bath, Maine, the destroyer got underway on 26 March for a shakedown training out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and arrived back in Boston on 27 April for a tender availability. She then headed for Norfolk, Virginia but departed Hampton Roads on 10 May, after transiting the Panama Canal, Anthony joined the Pacific Fleet and arrived in Pearl Harbor on 31 May. Two months of training for the destroyer ensued. She left Hawaiian waters on 5 August in the screen of a bound, via Pago Pago, Samoa, for Efate Island. Anthony dropped anchor off Efate on 27 August and her next several weeks were devoted to more training exercises. Then, late in October, Anthony was among the destroyers escorting troop transports to the Solomon Islands for landings on Bougainville and she took part in a preinvasion bombardment and stood by while marines landed on the beaches of Empress Augusta Bay on 1 November. The destroyers pulled into Purvis Bay, Florida Island, on 3 November, however, she returned to Bougainville on 8 November to reinforce American naval forces off that island. Despite numerous air attacks, Anthony emerged unscathed from covering the transports during their successful unloading and she pulled into Tulagi on 15 November and soon began escorting ships carrying troops and supplies to various points in the Solomon Islands. This routine was interrupted for the destroyer on 20 January 1944 by an order to proceed to Bougainville Strait, there, Anthony encountered several small Japanese ships and destroyed a gunboat and several barges before resuming her escort duties. The ship got underway on 15 February to shepherd a group of LSTs to the sites on Green Island. After a brief respite at Purvis Bay, the destroyer sailed on 23 February to take part in a bombardment of the stronghold at Rabaul. Then, during March, she covered the invasion of Emirau Island before serving as an escort on several supply runs between Guadalcanal and Emirau, on 24 April, Anthony was assigned to duty with a battleship task force. The destroyer screened New Mexico, Idaho, and Pennsylvania to Australia, the warships arrived at Sydney, and, on the 29th after a week of liberty in that city, Anthony weighed anchor on 6 May to return to Purvis Bay. After brief training, Anthony and a group of ships sailed on 2 June for the invasion of the Marianas and they arrived in Kwajalein on 8 June to refuel, then turned westward toward the Marianas. On 14 June, the destroyer fired her guns on Saipan and, on 16 June, she bombarded Guam. The destroyer then detached to join Task Force 58, the Fast Carrier Task Force and her duties then included screening the carriers and rescuing downed aviators. On 8 July, Anthony began providing harassing fire on Guam, when relieved, the destroyer proceeded to Eniwetok to refuel and take on provisions
33.
USS Aulick (DD-569)
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USS Aulick was an American Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Commodore John H. Aulick. Following her commissioning, the destroyer conducted training in the Gulf of Mexico and out of Casco Bay, Maine. She transited the Panama Canal and paused at Bora Bora, Society Islands, before making Nouméa, New Caledonia, on 12 February. After a week of antisubmarine patrol off New Caledonia, Aulick joined Task Force 64 in the Coral Sea, when TF64 returned to Nouméa on 25 February, Aulick was detached. She stood out for Espiritu Santo on 1 March as an escort for the aircraft transport Athene, from there, the destroyer steamed to Efate Island, New Hebrides, but on 9 March, she was ordered back to Nouméa. At 0411 on the 10th, Aulick struck a reef off the southern tip of New Caledonia while making 20 knots and suffered extensive damage to her hull, propellers. After being briefly drydocked at Nouméa, the ship was taken in tow bound for Hawaii, where she arrived on 10 April after stops at Suva, Fiji Islands and she set sail on 23 December to return to Pearl Harbor. Upon reaching that port, the ship received three weeks of availability. The destroyer left Hawaii on 22 January 1944, bound for the west coast and her duties included serving as a training ship in engineering, ordnance, and deck duties. The highlight of her service during this assignment was her rescue on 11 April of 16 crewmen from a downed United States Navy PBM Mariner flying boat, the warship was relieved on 18 May and reported to the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, San Francisco, for repairs. At the end of work, she sailed once again for Pearl Harbor. After a series of training exercises, Aulick got underway on 9 July in the screen of 12 transports bound for the invasion of Guam. They arrived off that island on 22 July, and the destroyer remained in the area, patrolling and screening units of the 5th Fleet, until 6 August. The destroyer sailed for that group of islands with TG32.7 on 8 September, reached her destination on 15 September, on 30 September, the ship headed for Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, to join the 7th Fleet. She got underway for the Philippines on 12 October and arrived off Leyte on 18 October, the next day, Aulick was assigned to the northern fire support group for shore bombardment, night harassing fire, and close fire support. She entered San Pedro Bay at 0655 and opened fire at 1115, at approximately 1212, Japanese shells scored direct hits on the destroyer, killing one crewman by flying shrapnel. At 1328, she ceased fire and retired for the night, Aulick again rendered fire support on 20 and 21 October. From 22 to 24 October, she stood by but did not fire her guns, meanwhile, the Japanese high command had activated its plan to defend the Philippines with the Combined Fleet
34.
USS Ault
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USS Ault was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Commander William B, Ault, air group commander aboard Lexington. Commander Ault was declared missing in action on 8 May 1942 after leading an air attack in the Battle of the Coral Sea and was awarded the Navy Cross for his action in the battle. Built by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey Ault was laid down 15 November 1943, launched 26 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Ault, Ault was commissioned 31 May 1944, Commander Joseph C. After fitting out, the destroyer departed New York on 10 July 1944 for shakedown training in the Caribbean and she returned to New York for post-shakedown availability and to complete preparations for the long cruise to join the action in the Pacific. Acting as an escort for Wilkes-Barre, Ault sailed on 6 September for Trinidad, detached from escort duty upon her arrival, she transited the Panama Canal and proceeded independently via San Diego to Pearl Harbor where she arrived on 29 September. After three months of training in Hawaiian waters, the warship got underway on 18 December. Ault sortied on 30 December 1944 with TG38.2 screening that task group, returning to the Pacific through the Balintang Channel on the night of 20 January, the task force launched final strikes against Formosa and Okinawa before returning to Ulithi on 25 January. Shortly before the assault on Iwo Jima, TF38 was reorganized as TF58 under Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher. Ault was assigned to Rear Admiral Forrest Shermans Essex Task Group 58.3, which launched strikes against Formosa, Luzon. The carriers provided air cover for the operations on Iwo Jima on 19 February and raided the Tokyo area on the 25th, the destroyer returned to the action with TG58.3 on 14 March for operations to neutralize Japanese air power during the forthcoming Okinawa campaign. In response to strikes against Kyūshū and Honshū, the Japanese retaliated with air strikes against the task group, and, on 20 March, Ault splashed her first two enemy planes. On 23 and 24 March, the group launched preinvasion strikes against Okinawa. The warships next two months were enlivened by days and nights of continuous general quarters, kamikaze attacks on 6 and 7 April damaged Haynsworth and Hancock. On 11 April, a plane that missed Essex came perilously close to Ault. Kidd was badly hit that day, Ault again participated in the bombardment of Minami Daito Shima on 10 May, then rejoined the task force to assist in repelling heavy enemy air attack. While screening Bunker Hill on the morning of 11 May, Ault splashed one kamikaze, after rescuing 29 men from the stricken ship, the destroyer escorted her to the replenishment group and rejoined the action on the 13th. During attacks on 13 and 14 May, she succeeded in splashing three more planes, on 1 June, Ault put into San Pedro Bay, Leyte, after 80 days at sea
35.
USS Aylwin (DD-355)
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USS Aylwin was a Farragut-class destroyer, and the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant John Cushing Aylwin. Following builders trials late in March, and fitting out, the destroyer shifted to the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island, at the end of further trials, she returned to Philadelphia on 8 May to prepare for shakedown. On 22 May, Aylwin sailed for a cruise that took her to European countries and she stopped at Port Leixoes, Portugal, on 1 June and at Santander, Spain, on the 5th, before shifting to Cherbourg, France, on the 10th. Five days later, the Honorable Jesse I, straus, the United States Ambassador to France, inspected the new destroyer. The warship next visited Bremen, Germany from 19 to 24 June, before sailing for Gothenburg, Sweden, the ship visited Dover, England, before heading homeward on 15 July. She reached Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 22d, received post-shakedown repairs, and conducted further trials that lasted until 1 October, when she put to sea to join the Fleet. She fell in with her sister ship USS Hull the next day, Aylwin reached her assigned position on 13 October and, the next morning, began laying smoke to serve as marker for the plane. The destroyers lookouts sighted the plane at 12,38, ultimately, the XP3Y-1 reached San Francisco Bay on 15 October, having set a new international distance record for seaplane flights—3,281.402 statute miles. The destroyer rejoined Hull the next day, and the two ships steamed into San Diego, California harbor on the 19th, on 10 February 1936, Aylwin departed San Diego and entered the Mare Island Navy Yard on the following day for repairs and alterations. She ran her trials on 3 April. Following brief operations off Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island, Aylwin sailed for the Canal Zone on 27 April to participate in Fleet Problem XVII, the problem pitted the Battle Force against a submarine-augmented Scouting Force. As the opposing forces engaged off the west coast of Central America near the Panama Canal, Aylwin conducted simulated gun attacks on enemy destroyers and torpedo attacks on the enemy battle line. She anchored off Balboa on 9 May, refueled the following day, after the exercises, Aylwin sailed to Peru and arrived at Callao on the morning of 28 May. That day, Rear Admiral Sinclair Gannon, Commander, Destroyers, Scouting Force, winding up her Peruvian visit on 2 June, she got underway for California, but paused in Panama Bay from 6 to 8 June before continuing on to San Diego. Aylwin reached her home port on the morning of 16 June and that afternoon, Rear Admiral Gannon transferred his flag to the destroyer tender. On 6 July, Aylwin got underway for the Pacific Northwest and reached Port Angeles and she sailed thence via the inland passage to Alaska and arrived at Cordova on the 13th. She visited Portland, Oregon, from 5 to 10 August before heading home where she arrived on the 13th, the Coast Guard cutter Takoe joined the search on 21 August, and the cutter Aurora began the next day. On the 23d, Aylwin and the ships, sailing in a scouting line
36.
USS Babbitt (DD-128)
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USS Babbitt was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II, later classified as AG-102. She was named for Fitz Babbitt, Babbitt served with the Pacific Fleet on maneuvers and exercises until going out of commission at San Diego 15 June 1922. Upon recommissioning 4 April 1930, Babbitt reported to the Pacific Fleet and served along the west coast until February 1931, when she proceeded to the Atlantic. Between February 1931 and May 1932, she operated with Destroyer Squadron, Scouting Force, along the seaboard, in the West Indies, the Gulf of Mexico. During May 1932 to April 1933, Babbitt served at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport and she was assigned to Rotating Reserve Destroyer Squadron 19 at Norfolk between 25 May and 20 October 1933, and then assumed reduced commission status until January 1935. While in this status, she operated with the Training Squadron, Scouting Force, for a brief period between January and May 1935, she returned to Rotating Reserve Destroyer Squadron 19. Placed in full commission 15 May 1935, Babbitt served with the Midshipmens Coastal Cruise Detachment and then, in April 1939, she participated in the opening of the New York Worlds Fair. Subsequently she was attached to Destroyer Squadron 27 Patrol Force, on Neutrality Patrol and convoy duty along the Atlantic. Babbitt operated as an escort in the waters off Iceland, along the east and gulf coasts of the United States. Between 10 March 1943 and 21 March 1944, she completed five trans-Atlantic escort crossings one to England. On 2 February 1945, Babbitt reported to the Underwater Sound Laboratory, New London, Connecticut, on 10 June 1945, her classification was changed to AG-102. She remained on duty until December 1945, when she entered New York Navy Yard for pre-inactivation overhaul. Babbitt was decommissioned 25 January 1946 and sold 5 June 1946, Babbitt received one battle star for the escort of Convoy SC-121. As of 2010, no ship in the United States Navy has borne this name. List of United States Navy destroyers This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here
37.
USS Bache (DD-470)
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USS Bache, a Fletcher-class destroyer, was second ship of the United States Navy of that name. DD-470 was named for Commander George M. Bache, Bache was launched 7 July 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co. Staten Island, N. Y. sponsored by Miss Louise Bache, daughter of Commander Bache, reporting to the Atlantic Fleet, she acted as escort to a westbound convoy to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then returned to New York for her post-shakedown overhaul. On 6 February 1943, she left Norfolk as escort for Victorious, the vessels arrived at Pearl Harbor 4 March 1943. On 10 May, after a period, Bache departed for the Aleutian Islands. She served in the Aleutian area until December 1943, taking part in the bombardment of Kiska, after a brief overhaul at Pearl Harbor she joined the 7th Fleet 23 December 1943.3 she took part in the overwhelming victory of Battle of Surigao Strait. On 29 October, Bache departed Leyte en route to the United States for yard overhaul, upon completion of her overhaul, she joined the 5th Fleet at Eniwetok 20 February 1945. Between 28 February and 5 March, she provided air support at Iwo Jima, on 1 April, Bache arrived off Okinawa for screening and picket duty. She suffered slight damage 3 May, when a kamikaze suicide plane overshot the ship. That same day, she went to the aid of the stricken LSM-195, remaining on this vital duty, she helped destroy several enemy planes. On 13 May, several enemy dive-bombers attacked the picket station, the wing of the plane struck near number two stack, catapulting the plane down on the main deck amidships, with its bomb exploding about seven feet above the main deck. Forty-one of the crew were killed and 32 were injured, all steam and electrical power were lost. Fires were brought under control within 20 minutes and she was towed to Kerama Retto, Okinawa, Bache arrived at New York Navy Yard 13 July 1945 for permanent repairs and then went to Charleston, S. C. for inactivation. On 4 February 1946, Bache went out of commission in reserve at Charleston, in 1950, Bache was converted to an escort destroyer at Boston Navy Yard and recommissioned 1 October 1951. Bache reverted to DD-47030 June 1962, Bache was blown aground outside of the Rhodes harbor by a gale during a three-day port visit to the Island of Rhodes, Greece 6 February 1968. She was declared a loss and scrapped there, Bache was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 March 1968. Bache received eight battle stars for her World War II service and this article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here, navsource. org, USS Bache hazegray. org, USS Bache ussbache. org, USS Bache
38.
USS Badger (DD-126)
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USS Badger was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Commodore Oscar C, Badger was launched 24 August 1918 by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, sponsored by Mrs. Henry F. Bryan, granddaughter of Commodore Badger, commissioned 29 May 1919, Commander Q. T. Swasey in command, and reported to the Atlantic Fleet, following commissioning, Badger steamed to the Mediterranean where she cruised until August 1919. Upon her return to the east coast, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and she served at various naval bases on the west coast until May 1922, when she was placed out of commission. Upon recommissioning in January 1930, Badger served with the Battle Force, in April 1933, she returned to the Atlantic and thereafter participated in coastal cruises and reserve training. During 1938 to 1939, she operated with Special Squadron 4 based at Villefranche, upon her return to Norfolk, she joined Destroyer Division 53, Patrol Force with additional summer assignments to the Midshipmen Coastal Cruise Detachment. From Mach to April 1941, Badger was refitted to better equip the ship for escort duties, the ships gun armament and two sets of torpedo tubes were removed, replaced by six 3/50 caliber dual purpose guns. Two triple torpedo tube mounts were retained, and an improved armament of 24 depth charges was fitted. Between December 1941 and October 1944, Badger operated as an escort in the Atlantic. Twice she escorted convoys to North Africa, and for a period she served as a unit of anti-submarine hunter killer groups 21.12 and 21.16. In October 1944, Badger transited the Panama Canal and conducted anti submarine training off Balboa, between 15 November 1944 and 20 June 1945, Badger served with the Anti-Submarine Development Detachment, Port Everglades, Florida, conducting anti-submarine development exercises. She arrived at Philadelphia 22 June 1945 and was decommissioned 20 July and she was sold 30 November 1945. Badger received one star while operating with TG21.12. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here. U. S. Destroyers, An Illustrated Design History, annapolis, Maryland, USA, United States Naval Institute. NavSource Online, Destroyer Photo Index DD-126 USS BADGER
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USS Bagley (DD-386)
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Bagley worked extensively in the Atlantic before being sent to Pearl Harbor in 1940. She rotated occasionally between there and the Californian coast, by December 1941, Bagley was operating locally out of Pearl Harbor. Frequent exercises with DesDiv 7 were interspersed with carrier task force centered around Enterprise. The pace of these operations intensified as American economic sanctions, instituted in response to Japanese actions in China and French Indochina, on 3 December during an antiaircraft practice at sea with DesDiv 8, Bagleys starboard side bilge keel tore loose. The destroyer slowed to 10 knots and changed course for Oahu, on 6 December, the warship shifted berths starboard side to berth B-22 in Southeast Loch. By this time, Bagley had gone cold iron, receiving electricity, steam, at 0755 on 7 December, shortly before morning colors, Japanese aircraft from six fleet carriers struck the Pacific Fleet as it lay in port at Pearl Harbor. Onboard Bagley, Radio Seaman Recruit Robert P. Coles exited the port side mess decks, realizing it was not fleet maneuvers he broke open the 50 caliber forward port ready service locker and opened fire and hit the first two Torpedo Bombers attacking Battleship Row. He was relieved by Chief Gunners Mate Skinner who, as noted in official records, the crew first saw dive bombers in action over nearby Hickam Field and then witnessed a Nakajima B5N Kate torpedo planes pass down Southeast Loch and torpedo Oklahoma moored off Ford Island. The destroyer immediately went to general quarters, firing her. 50-caliber machine guns at the torpedo-carrying Nakajimas passing down the side to attack the American battleships. Shortly after 0800, a second Kates torpedo exploded in the bank thirty feet ahead of Bagley. During the second phase of the attack, which began about 0840, Bagleys crew fired on Aichi D3A Val dive bombers attacking Ford Island and the navy yard dry docks. Her gunners claimed to have splashed at least six aircraft that morning, at 0940, the warship headed for the channel and the open sea, leaving her commanding officer, executive officer, and gunnery officer ashore. Bagley, under the command of Lieutenant Philip W. Cann, paused only long enough to pick up the skipper of destroyer Patterson. Bagley covered the arrival of TF14 at Pearl Harbor four days after Christmas, the next day, the destroyer sailed with Saratoga to patrol west of Oahu, covering the islands while two carrier groups escorted reinforcements to Samoa. On 11 January 1942, however, a torpedo from I-16 hit. Worried about Japanese intentions in the Fiji-New Caledonia area, TF11 joined the ANZAC cruiser force, Australia, HMNZS Achilles, HMNZS Leander with Chicago, shortly thereafter, the task force turned to the northwest and headed for Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. On 20 February, at 1707, the destroyer opened fire on a wave of nine bombers with her 20-millimeter battery. Minutes after that, one attempted to crash Bagleys stern
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USS Bailey (DD-492)
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USS Bailey was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the ship named for Admiral Theodorus Bailey. In the Pacific, Bailey joined TF8 on patrol in the Aleutian Islands, on 12 January 1943, she supported the unopposed invasion of Amchitka Island and on 26 March took part in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands during which time her captain was LCDR John Atkeson. For this action, she was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, after undergoing temporary repairs at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Bailey arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard 8 April 1943 for permanent repairs. Repairs completed, she arrived at Pearl Harbor 16 October 1943, on the night of 1 October 1944, she underwent two severe strafing attacks while on picket duty off the Palaus. Damage was extensive,9 men were killed and 16 wounded, following emergency repairs Bailey proceeded to Mare Island for permanent repairs, arriving 25 October. Returning to Pearl Harbor 24 December 1944, she supported the landings on Mindanao, between August and November 1945, she was engaged in training in Far Eastern waters. On 11 December 1945, she arrived at Boston, Massachusetts for inactivation and went out of commission in reserve at Charleston and she was stricken for the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1968. She was sunk as a target off Florida on 4 November 1969, Bailey received nine battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for her service in the Pacific. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here. USS Bailey website at Destroyer History Foundation USS Bailey DD-492 Website at USS Bailey DD-492
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USS Bainbridge (DD-246)
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The third USS Bainbridge was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Commodore William Bainbridge, who served in the War of 1812, H. Thebaud in command, and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. On 16 December 1922 she rescued approximately 500 survivors of the burning French military transport Vinh-Long about 10 miles off Constantinople, for extraordinary heroism during the rescue Lieutenant Commander Walter A. Edwards received the Medal of Honor. The next year, at Newport, Rhode Island, she served temporarily as flagship of Commander, Scouting Fleet and then joined Squadron 14 Scouting Fleet, between 1923 and 1928 Bainbridge participated in annual fleet concentrations, tactical and joint maneuvers, and fleet and type competitions. In 1927 she was assigned duty with the Special Service Squadron for patrol duty off Nicaragua during internal disturbances there. During several summers Bainbridge participated in the program of the Scouting Fleet. On 23 December 1930 she was placed out of commission in reserve at Philadelphia, on 9 March 1932 Bainbridge was placed in reduced commission and attached to Rotating Reserve Division 19, taking part in Naval Reserve training cruises. She was placed in full commission 5 September 1933 and assigned to Destroyer Division 8, Scouting Force. For a short period she served with the Special Service Squadron in the Florida Keys and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, while serving on the west coast Bainbridge made cruises to British Columbia, Alaska, and Hawaii. She was placed out of commission in reserve at San Diego 20 November 1937, during the early part of 1941 she cruised along the northeast coast and between May and November 1941 made three convoy escort voyages to Newfoundland and Iceland. Commencing her inactivation 1 July 1945, Bainbridge was decommissioned 21 July 1945 at Philadelphia, Bainbridge received one battle star for her service as a convoy escort. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here
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USS Balch (DD-363)
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USS Balch was a Porter-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Admiral George Beall Balch, after her commissioning, Balch operated for a period under the Chief of Naval Operations. She departed Newport, Rhode Island, for the Pacific in October 1937, thereafter as flagship of Destroyer Squadron 12, and later of Destroyer Squadron 6, she participated in fleet training, cruises, and battle problems in the Pacific and Haitian-Caribbean area. After participating in Fleet Problem XXI at Pearl Harbor, Balch steamed to Mare Island Navy Yard where she underwent a period in the spring of 1940. Upon the completion of her period, she made six cruises alternately between the Hawaiian Islands and the west coast. On 1 December 1941, Balch put to sea as a unit of Task Force 8 and she cruised in the Pacific during the early months of the war, and participated in the bombardment of Tarawa Island, Marshall Islands. On 15 July 1944, Balch arrived at New York, between 2 August 1944 and 23 May 1945, she completed five trans-Atlantic convoy escort crossings to various North African ports. On 12 April 1945, Captain Alfred Lind took command and participated in Task Group 60.11 until 8 May 1945, during this time, they rescued 46 survivors from a torpedoed SS Belgium and also anchored at Oran, Algeria, and passed thru the Straits of Gibraltar. On 16 June 1945, she commenced her overhaul at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was decommissioned 19 October 1945 and scrapped in 1946, Balch received six battle stars for her Pacific service during World War II. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here
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USS Baldwin (DD-624)
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USS Baldwin, was a United States Navy Gleaves-class destroyer, in service from 1943 to 1946. She was the ship of the U. S. Navy to be named for Charles H. Baldwin. Baldwin was laid down on 19 July 1941 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co, seattle, Washington and launched on 14 June 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Ida E. Crawford, daughter of Acting Masters Mate Baldwin. The ship was commissioned on 30 April 1943, Lieutenant Commander George Knuepfer in command, after shakedown training along the West Coast, the destroyer put to sea from San Francisco, California, on 1 July, bound for the East Coast. Similar arrangements occupied her time until late January 1944, when she resumed duty along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, some three months later, on 17 April 1944, Baldwin headed for Europe in the screen for Arkansas, Nevada, and Tuscaloosa. The destroyer arrived at Plymouth, England, on 28 April, on 5 June, she departed the Isle of Portland in company with other units of the Western Naval Task Force. As a unit of the support group during the assault. In return, she suffered two hits from a shore battery on D-Day, but sustained only slight damage. On 9 June, Baldwin joined Frankford in repulsing an attack by German E-boats and she operated off the coast of France until 15 July when she returned to England. Three days later, the destroyer departed Plymouth in the screen of a 50-ship convoy bound for North Africa and arrived in Bizerte, Tunisia, on 28 July. She operated in the western Mediterranean mostly between Oran, Algeria, and Naples, Italy before arriving off Saint-Tropez on 15 August, D-Day for the invasion of southern France. Baldwin served there as an element of the Antisubmarine and Convoy Control Group, on 23 September, she concluded her part in that operation and departed Oran in company with her division mates bound for the United States. Upon her arrival at New York on 3 October, the destroyer resumed operations in American coastal waters and she returned to New York on 27 February and began four months of operations in American waters. During that time, Baldwin escorted Bon Homme Richard to the Panama Canal Zone and operated off the east coast in the screens of the aircraft carriers Boxer. On 24 June, the destroyer sailed from New York on her way to the Pacific, steaming in company with Nelson, she visited Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Balboa in the Canal Zone and San Diego before arriving at Pearl Harbor on 12 August. A month later, the warship joined Task Force 55 at Okinawa to prepare for the occupation of Sasebo, Japan, and participated in that operation between 20 September and 2 October. By 7 October, Baldwin was at Pusan, Korea, supporting forces sweeping mines along the Chinese and Korean coasts, the ship returned to the United States in January 1946 and operated along the east coast through the spring of that year. She was placed out of commission at Charleston, South Carolina, on 20 June 1946, Windlass successfully pulled her free, though one of Windlass crew was killed in an accident
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USS Bancroft (DD-598)
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USS Bancroft was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the ship named for George Bancroft. Bancroft arrived at Dutch Harbor, Alaska,17 September 1942 and remained in the Aleutian Islands until late August 1943, supporting the occupation of Amchitka, Attu, between September and November 1945, Bancroft escorted convoys between the Philippine Islands, Okinawa, and Japan. On 9 December 1945, she arrived at Norfolk, Virginia and went out of commission in reserve at Charleston, Bancroft received eight battle stars for her World War II service. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here
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USS Barker (DD-213)
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USS Barker was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy in World War II, named for Admiral Albert S. Barker. In June Barker sailed to the Middle East to join Division 35, US Naval Detachment, Barker cruised in Philippine and Asiatic waters until departing Manila in May 1925. In the next two years she served with the Scouting Force on the east coast and patrolled off Nicaragua, 10–31 January 1927, thereafter, she served a two-year tour with United States Naval Forces Europe, and carried out several goodwill visits to many European ports. From August 1929 to December 1941 Barker was kept on the Asiatic Station, in periods of disturbance in China she was engaged in protecting American interests. In the small hours of December 11,1937 the ocean liner SS President Hoover ran aground in a typhoon on Kasho-to, Barker was sent from Olongapo Naval Station and USS Alden was sent from Manila to assist. However, a few of the crew plundered the liners liquor store, got drunk, a party from Alden boarded Hoover to protect valuables, and landing parties from both Alden and Barker went ashore to restore order. On 7 December 1941, Barker was at Tarakan, Borneo, for the remainder of December and throughout January 1942, she patrolled and escorted convoys in the Netherlands East Indies. In February Barker took part in the attempts to stem the Japanese advance into the Dutch East Indies. She participated in the actions off Bali and Banka Island. Barker was damaged by near misses in the action of 15 February and she retired to Exmouth Gulf, Australia, arriving 19 February for repair and overhaul. Between March and May 1942, Barker operated out of Fremantle, Australia, on patrol and she then sailed to Tongatapu where she arrived 24 May. Remaining there until 29 June, she proceeded to Pearl Harbor via Samoa. In August, she proceeded to Mare Island Navy Yard where she underwent overhaul, between October 1942 and May 1943, Barker escorted convoys between San Francisco, California and Pearl Harbor. She departed San Diego 23 May 1943 for the east coast, arriving at Casco Bay, on 27 June, as a member of the hunter killer TG21.12, she departed New York to search for enemy submarines in the Atlantic. When U-487 was sunk by aircraft from Core on 13 July, returning to New York on 1 August, Barker departed with the Group on another anti-submarine sweep on 16 August. On 24 August Cores aircraft found and sank U-534 and U-185, Barker rescued 36 survivors of U-185. Between 6 September 1943 and 1 October 1944, Barker made two convoy escort crossings to England and four to North Africa. The remainder of Barkers active service was performed as an escort in the Caribbean, to Newfoundland
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USS Barney (DD-149)
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USS Barney was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II, later redesignated AG-113. She was the ship named for Commodore Joshua Barney. Barney reported to Division 19, Atlantic Fleet, and engaged in exercises and maneuvers along the east coast until 30 June 1922. Remaining on the west coast, she operated for a time in reduced commission with Rotating Destroyer Squadron 20 Scouting Force, in 1935 she cruised with Destroyer Division 3 to Alaska thence to Honolulu, and later to the Puget Sound area for fleet problems. Returning to the east coast, she conducted cruises with the 10th Training Squadron until November 1936, recommissioned 4 October 1939, she served on patrol duty with the 66th Division, Atlantic Squadron, and during the following year with the Inshore Patrol, 18th Naval District Defense Force. Between December 1941 and November 1943, Barney was assigned to the Caribbean area, on 18 September 1942, she had a collision with Greer, resulting in severe damage and the loss of two of her crew by drowning. Both ships returned to Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands West Indies, permanent repairs completed in December 1942, she returned to the Caribbean. During 14 January–May 1944, Barney completed two convoy crossings to North Africa. From May 1944 until February 1945, she escorted convoys in the Caribbean, in March 1945, she was assigned to TE25 and engaged in training exercises with submarines in Long Island and Block Island Sounds. On 30 June 1945, her classification was changed to AG-113, Barney was decommissioned 30 November 1945 and sold 13 October 1946. Barney received one star for her escort of Convoy UOS37. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here
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USS Barry (DD-248)
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Barry was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the ship named for Commodore John Barry. Barry was launched 28 October 1920 by New York Shipbuilding Co, Barry was held in reserve commission until 15 November 1921, when she was placed in full commission and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. In October 1922, she departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, for the Mediterranean where she served with the U. S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters until July 1923, returning to the East Coast 10 August 1923, she joined Destroyer Squadron 14, Scouting Fleet. Later in August and September, Barry operated as a guard in the Atlantic for the U. S. Armys Around the World Flight and was stationed between Labrador and Nova Scotia, Canada. Early in 1925, Barry transited the Panama Canal and joined the Battle Fleet for maneuvers in the Pacific. She returned to the East Coast in July 1925, and took up duties with the Scouting Fleet until February 1932. Upon completion of maneuvers, she returned to the Atlantic and was assigned to Rotating Reserve Destroyer Squadron 19 at Norfolk,20 December 1932, Barry was recommissioned at Norfolk 20 June 1933 and on 1 July sailed for San Diego to Join Destroyer Division 7, Scouting Force. She served with the Scouting Force until May 1936 when she returned to the Atlantic, later in 1936 she again returned to the Pacific, joining Destroyer Division 22, Battle Force. Between January and April 1938 she was in Hawaiian waters and on 21 May 1938 was transferred to Destroyer Division 21, Barry joined Destroyer Division 67 in the Canal Zone 18 October 1940. Still on duty there when the United States entered World War II, she was assigned escort, early in 1942, Barry operated in the Caribbean escorting convoys between Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Panama, and Curaçao and Trinidad. Later in the year and throughout the first half of 1943 she performed duties in the South Atlantic. Between July and November 1943, she served as a unit of TG21.14, the group conducted two sweeps during which aircraft from Card sank eight German submarines. Barry and Goff rescued survivors of Borie after she was fatally damaged 1 November while sinking U-405 by ramming, Barry underwent conversion to a high-speed transport at Charleston Navy Yard,31 December 1943 –17 February 1944. Barry departed the East Coast 13 April 1944 for Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria, practice amphibious landings were carried out until 14 August, when she sortied for the invasion of southern France. Between 15 and 20 August 1944, she landed her troops on the Islands of Levant and Port Cros, between August and December, Barry served on escort duty in the western Mediterranean and then returned to the United States, arriving at Norfolk 23 December 1944. After brief repairs, Barry departed for the Pacific and arrived at Pearl Harbor 24 March 1945, after training in the Hawaiian Islands, she arrived off Okinawa 16 May and performed patrol and escort duties during the occupation of the island. On 25 May, she was attacked by two kamikazes while on patrol 35 miles northwest of Okinawa, one was shot down, but the other broke through the barrage and struck Barry below her bridge
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USS Barton (DD-599)
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USS Barton was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first ship named for Admiral John Kennedy Barton, Barton departed the east coast 23 August 1942 and steamed to the Pacific, arriving at Tongatapu, Tonga Islands,14 September 1942. During October she participated in the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid and the Battle of Santa Cruz where she claimed shooting down seven Japanese planes, on 29 October she successfully rescued 17 survivors of two downed air transports near Fabre Island. Arriving off Guadalcanal on 12 November 1942 having safely escorted a convoy to the island. Assuming her position in the spot of the US force just before sundown. At approximately 01, 30hrs, both sides finally made contact with each other as the first Japanese ships emerged from the squall line only 3000 yards away from the entire US formation. The Barton had just fired a spread of torpedoes at the battleship Hiei when the light cruiser USS Helena appeared suddenly out of the darkness. Making an emergency stop to avoid colliding with the Helena, the Barton found herself at a stop as her engineering crew tried to get her engines back into gear to get her moving again. However, before she could get underway two Long Lance torpedoes fired by the Amatsukaze slammed into the midsection of the USS Barton, one in her boiler room and one in her engine room. The massive explosions broke the Barton in two and both sections sank only minutes after the first torpedo struck, carrying with her 164 men,13 officers and 151 of her crew, forty-two survivors were rescued by USS Portland and twenty-six by Higgins boats from Guadalcanal. In her short six months of service to the US Navy Barton received four battle stars for her service in World War II. The forward section of the wreck of the Barton was discovered in 1992 by Robert Ballard, with only the hull section, to date the stern section of the Barton has not been located. Warship Losses of World War Two, arms and Armour, London, Great Britain,1990. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the entry can be found here. USS Barton website at Destroyer History Foundation navsource. org, DD-599 USS Barton hazegray. org, USS Barton Roll of Honor
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USS Barton (DD-722)
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USS Barton, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral John Kennedy Barton. The second Barton was launched on 10 October 1943 by Bath Iron Works Corp, Bath, Maine, sponsored by Ms. Barbara Dean Barton, granddaughter of Admiral Barton. The ship was commissioned on 30 December 1943, Commander J. W. Callahan in command, on 14 May 1944, Barton departed Norfolk and arrived at Plymouth, England on 27 May. From 3-26, June she carried out screening, patrol, on 6 June, she rescued 31 American soldiers from the sinking LCT-2498. During a brisk engagement with German batteries in the Bombardment of Cherbourg on 25 June, returning to the U. S. on 10 July, Barton soon departed Norfolk for the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 2 October. After a brief tour with the forces in Japan, Barton returned to Seattle on 6 October. She operated along the west coast until June 1946, when she departed Oakland for Bikini Atoll, returning to the United States, she continued operations off the west coast until 22 January 1947, when she went out of commission in reserve at San Diego. On 11 April 1949, Barton was recommissioned and joined Destroyer Division 201 and she operated with the Pacific Fleet until 11 July, when she got underway for Norfolk, arriving on 5 August. For the next three years, she operated along the seaboard, made two cruises to the Caribbean, and one cruise with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. On 15 May 1952, Barton departed Norfolk via the Panama Canal for Korea, seim in command, arriving at Yokosuka, Japan, on 18 June. She Joined Task Force 77 as a member of a group for operations along the east coast of Korea. On 10 August, while silencing enemy batteries on the island of Hodo Pando, sailor Dale P. Gray, BM3, was killed. Repair party member MMFN Anthony Palm was dispatched to assess the extent of damage caused by the incoming round, it’s a small hole, about 18” in diameter”, grossly underestimated the actual size of nearly 4 ½ feet. After a short period at Yokosuka, she returned to Korean waters. While operating with TF77, she was struck by a mine on 16 September. The five sailors who died were Russell J. Graf, Harold J. Savoie, John M. Sherry, Walter E. Thierfelder, Jr. and black crew member, John L. Walton. Effective damage control by her crew enabled her to reach Sasebo for temporary repairs and then Norfolk, via the Suez Canal and she arrived at Norfolk on 12 December. Repairs completed on 15 August 1953, Barton spent the remainder of the year operating along the east coast, on 4 January 1954, the destroyer headed for the Far East once again for another tour of duty with the 7th Fleet
