5 Battle Stars


11 Battle Stars, PUC


8 Battle Stars, PUC


11 Battle Stars, PUC


9 Battle Stars

Another squadron which distinguished itself in the Pacific was Destroyer Squadron 56 (DesRon56):



Formed in early 1944 and originally comprising nine Fletcher's (Newcomb, Leutze, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, Robinson, Ross, Albert W. Grant, and Bryant), the squadron saw it's first action during the Marshall Islands campaign. It also participated in the following invasion of the Palau's. While engaged in the preliminary operations to the invasion of the Philippines in October, 1944, Ross was badly damaged by two mines and was replaced by Halford for the Leyte operation. It was during the ensuing Battle of Leyte Gulf that DesRon56 achieved it's greatest fame, taking part in the lop-sided Battle of Surigao Strait.

Attacking in three sections, the torpedo attacks by DesRon56 (called "some of the best of the Pacific war" by Samuel Morison), helped to virtually annihilate the Japanese force of two battleships, a heavy cruiser, and four destroyers. The victory was not without cost, however, as Albert W. Grant suffered severe damage from gunfire (both Japanese and American), sustaining casualties of 38 KIA and over 100 WIA. Following her repairs, Grant (along with Robinson) was transferred to the 7th Fleet. The remaining seven ships of the squadron then participated in the invasion of Luzon and prepared for future operations.

The squadron was reduced to six ships in February, 1945, as Halford was damaged in a collision and returned home for repairs. The squadron moved on to take part in the invasion of Iwo Jima and, in April, arrived off Okinawa. It was not long before the ships of the squadron felt the sting of the "Divine Wind". On April 6, both Newcomb and Leutze were irreparably damaged by seven kamikazes. One week later, Bryant absorbed a crash into her bridge, knocking her out of the war. The three remaining ships would finish the war performing various duties.

In spite of the squadron's relatively short service, it's collective record was an enviable one, with 74 Battle Stars, 4 Navy Unit Commendations, and 1 Presidential Unit Citation being awarded to the individual ships.

A deserved salute and well done to the men and ships of "Bantam Six"!

Continued:

We need a pic of Dave Barkers DD...that Heroic crew...

I have several of his ship, Brett, but can't log in to my photobucket album right now to post them. As soon as I can sign on to it, I'll get them posted.

For Dave B...USS Cony (DD-508) in her wartime configuration:

A monument to the Bay of Pigs...

Thanks 940...

SALUTE DAVE BARKER!

Very impressive!!
But where are they now
when were they decommissioned
Nice to post a photo but at least give us some detail as they do have a history you know!!

quote:

Originally posted by Deadlydaring:
Very impressive!!
But where are they now
when were they decommissioned
Nice to post a photo but at least give us some detail as they do have a history you know!!

All of the Fletchers are now long gone. 175 were built during the war, with 25 being lost in action and several being damaged beyond economic repair. A number were decommissioned immediately after the end of the war (or within several years after) while others received improved ASW capabilities and continued to serve into the '70's, with the last active ship in U.S. Navy service, Uhlmann (DD-687), being decommissioned in '72.

Many of the decommissioned ships languished in mothballs for over 25 years before being scrapped, sunk as targets, or transferred to foreign navies. Of the ones transferred to foreign service, a number served into the '80's-'90's before being scrapped or sunk. As mentioned previously, John Rodgers was the longest serving of the class (decommissioned 2002) and is the sole surviving "high bridge" Fletcher.

Including John Rodgers, there are only four surviving ships of the class:

USS The Sullivans (DD-537)--Buffalo, NY
USS John Rodgers (DD-574)--slated to be berthed at Mobile, AL. following restoration.
USS Kidd (DD-661)--Baton Rouge, LA.
USS Cassin Young (DD-793)--Boston, MA.

The GREYHOUNDS of the SEA...are transforming...

quote:

Originally posted by strobelvets:
The GREYHOUNDS of the SEA...are transforming...

And it's been an incredible transformation at that. From their humble beginnings at the end of the 19th Century as simple "torpedo boats"..



..to the sleek, "stealthy" vessels capable of hitting targets hundreds of miles away near the end of the 20th Century..

Why would the USA keep that many ships in mothballs only to destroy them or sell some knowing that they are vintage

quote:

Originally posted by Deadlydaring:
Why would the USA keep that many ships in mothballs only to destroy them or sell some knowing that they are vintage

Not sure...a Destroyer Man oughta speak to the topic...

quote:

Originally posted by Deadlydaring:
Why would the USA keep that many ships in mothballs only to destroy them or sell some knowing that they are vintage

Ships are mothballed for several reasons..reaching the end of their effective service life; cutbacks in active units and active duty personnel (as happened after WWII), necessitating early decommissionings; to serve as sources of spare parts for active units of similar classes; advancements in the design, engineering, weaponry, and capabilities of new vessels, rendering earlier types obsolete; to maintain a reserve force that can quickly be reactivated and modernized to reinforce the active fleets in case of a national emergency.

Eventually, however, the passage of time, technological advances, and budgetary considerations condemn many ships to the scrapyard, to be used as targets or artificial reefs, or to be offered up to foreign sale. A few are fortunate and are donated to various organizations to become museum ships, provided those organizations have the necessary funds and ability to both restore and maintain it.

quote:

Originally posted by USNVet940:

quote:

Originally posted by Deadlydaring:
Why would the USA keep that many ships in mothballs only to destroy them or sell some knowing that they are vintage

Ships are mothballed for several reasons..reaching the end of their effective service life; cutbacks in active units and active duty personnel (as happened after WWII), necessitating early decommissionings; to serve as sources of spare parts for active units of similar classes; advancements in the design, engineering, weaponry, and capabilities of new vessels, rendering earlier types obsolete; to maintain a reserve force that can quickly be reactivated and modernized to reinforce the active fleets in case of a national emergency.

Eventually, however, the passage of time, technological advances, and budgetary considerations condemn many ships to the scrapyard, to be used as targets or artificial reefs, or to be offered up to foreign sale. A few are fortunate and are donated to various organizations to become museum ships, provided those organizations have the necessary funds and ability to both restore and maintain it.

"to maintain a reserve force that can quickly be reactivated and modernized to reinforce the active fleets in case of a national emergency."

I always liked that piece 940...they are available...

quote:

I always liked that piece 940...they are available...

Sadly though, Brett, the "mothball" fleet is rapidly rusting away as apparently (according to an article I read the other day) little funds have been made available to maintain the hulls. The fleet at Suisun Bay in California (some 70 ships, including the Iowa) is in the worst shape and has been named in a number of lawsuits by environmentalists because of flaking paint polluting the waters.

I don't know why it is, but I think Fletcher class destroyers are absolutely beautiful. I built my first model of one (USS Fletcher DD445) when I was 10.



They have beautiful lines...they just look 9and are) fast

quote:

Originally posted by pastorel:
I don't know why it is, but I think Fletcher class destroyers are absolutely beautiful. I built my first model of one (USS Fletcher DD445) when I was 10.



They have beautiful lines...they just look 9and are) fast

IMO, not only were the Fletcher's the most beautifully designed destroyers of the US Navy, they were the most beautifully designed of any navy. The graceful and clean lines of their flush deck and layout made for an unmistakable silhouette:

I thought I'd do a little something different with these next posts and pay tribute to those destroyers named for Navy and Marine MOH recipients. While some of the ships and the men they were named for may be familiar to some, others may not be..but they are all names that should be revered in our nation's history.

First is the USS Butler (DD-636/DMS-29). A Gleaves-class destroyer, Butler was commissioned in 1942 and was named for Major General Smedley D. Butler, USMC, one of the most decorated Marines in U.S. history. One of only 19 people to be twice awarded the MOH for heroism (Vera Cruz, 1914 and Haiti, 1915), Butler also received the Marine Corps Brevet Medal, both the Army and Navy Distinguished Service Cross, and the French Order of the Black Star over the course of his 34-year career. General Butler retired in 1931 and died in Philadelphia in 1940.

His namesake spent the first two years of her short but distinguished career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, providing convoy escort and participating in the invasions of Sicily, Normandy, and southern France. Returning to the U.S. in late 1944, Butler was converted into a high-speed minelayer and left for the Pacific in January, 1945. After a period of extensive training off Hawaii, Butler joined the fleet at Ulithi as it prepared for the invasion of Okinawa.

From late March until May, Butler performed screening and picket duties off Okinawa, engaging and shooting down a number of enemy aircraft. Her combat career came to an abrupt end, however, on May 25 as the ship was severely damaged by bombs from a kamikaze which exploded under her keel, killing nine men. Following temporary repairs, the ship returned to the U.S. in August. Judged to be damaged beyond economic repair, Butler was decommissioned and mothballed three months later. In January, 1948, the gallant ship was sold and broken up for scrap. Butler earned the Navy Unit Commendation and four Battle Stars for her WWII service.

Next is the USS Daly (DD-519). A "low-bridge" (square) Fletcher-class destroyer, Daly was commissioned in March 1943 and is named for Sergeant Major Daniel J. Daly, USMC, the only other Marine in U.S. history to be twice awarded the MOH. In a distinguished career spanning 30 years, Daly received his first MOH for his gallantry and heroism during the Boxer Rebellion in China in August, 1900. His second award came fifteen years later, on October 24, 1915, for his conspicuous actions during an ambush by over 400 Haitian bandits against his 35-man patrol.

Daly is also remembered for his famous battle cry, made during the Battle of Belleau Wood in June, 1918. Despite being under a horrific bombardment from German artillery, Daly ordered an attack, yelling to his men as he charged forward, "Come on, you sons of b****es, do you want to live forever?" Daly would receive the Navy Cross for this and other actions during the battle. In addition to the two MOH and NC, Daly also received the following decorations over his career: Distinguished Service Cross; three Letters of Commendation; Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars; China Relief Expedition Medal; Philippine Campaign Medal; Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star; Mexican Service Medal; Haitian Campaign Medal; World War I Victory Medal with Aisne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive-Sector clasps; Medaille Militaire; Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Fourragere.

Offered a commission several times, Daly always refused, stating that he would rather be "an outstanding sergeant than just another officer". Sergeant Major Daly retired from the Marines in February, 1929, and died in New York in April, 1937.

The destroyer Daly had an active career during WWII, both in the Atlantic (although only briefly) and Pacific. The link below can tell her story far better than I can:

"http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd519txt.htm"

Between escorting the fleet and invasion forces, providing gunfire support for invading troops, rescuing survivors from sunken ships, and engaging enemy ships in surface actions, Daly was in the thick of the fighting in the Pacific and received eight Battle Stars for her wartime service. Mothballed in 1946, Daly was recommissioned in 1951 after the outbreak of the Korean War.

For the next nine years, Daly engaged in various patrolling, escort, anti-submarine, and NATO exercises and cruises, earning an additional Battle Star for her Korean War service. In May 1960, Daly was decommissioned for the last time and placed in reserve. Stricken from the Naval Register in 1974, Daly was sold and broken up for scrap two years later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: USNVet940,