USS Barber (DE-161)

USS "Barber" (DE-161/APD-57), a "Buckley"-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Malcolm, Randolph, and Leroy Barber, all brothers, who were killed in action aboard the USS "Oklahoma" on 7 December 1941.

"Barber" was launched 20 May 1943 by Norfolk Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. Peter Barber, mother of the Barber brothers, commissioned 10 October 1943 Lieutenant E. T. B. Sullivan in command, and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.

Between December 1943 and October 1944 "Barber" escorted convoys in the Atlantic, completing three trans-Atlantic crossings to North Africa. For a brief, but rewarding, period (24 March-11 May 1944) she served as a unit of hunter-killer TG 21.15 (Croatan Group). On 26 April "Barber" joined USS "Frost", USS "Huse", and USS "Snowden" to sink the German submarine U-488 in 17°54' N., 38°05' W.

On 9 October 1944 "Barber" entered Philadelphia Navy Yard for conversion to a high speed transport. Her designation was changed to APD-57, 23 October 1944. Upon completion of her reconstruction she remained on the east coast for a short period of time and then proceeded to the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor 26 March 1945. On 30 April she arrived at Ulithi, Caroline Islands, and then departed 5 May as a convoy escort to support the invasion of Okinawa. She remained at Okinawa on patrol until 4 July.

Between July and November 1945 she performed the duties of a convoy escort and patrol vessel throughout the islands of the Western Pacific and Japan. Departing the Far East 21 November, "Barber" steamed to the east coast of the United States for pre-inactivation overhaul. She was placed out of commission in reserve at Green Cove Springs, Florida, 22 May 1946.

"Barber" received three battle stars for her World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/161.htm navsource.org: USS "Barber"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/escorts/de161.htm hazegray.org: USS "Barber"]