USS Reuben James (DE-153)

USS "Reuben James" (DE-153) was a "Buckley"-class destroyer escort in the United States Navy. She was the second ship named for Reuben James, a Boatswain's Mate who distinguished himself fighting the Barbary pirates.

"Reuben James" was laid down on 7 September 1942, launched on 6 February 1943, and commissioned on 1 April 1943, with Lieutenant Commander Frank D. Giambattista in command. She held a crew of 213, was capable of 23.5 knots, and was equipped with a main armament of 3 × 3 in (76 mm) guns and 3 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes.

First based in Miami, Florida, she conducted anti-submarine patrols and provided training in convoy escort and anti-submarine warfare. In March, 1944, she shifted homeport from Miami to Norfolk, Virginia. In June 1944, she escorted a convoy from New York to Norfolk. Between 13 July and on 7 November 1944, "Reuben James" successfully escorted two convoys to the Mediterranean, returning with westbound convoys. During the ship's first eastbound voyage, nine German bombers attacked its convoy off Algeria on 1 August 1944. "Reuben James" shot down one enemy bomber. Returning to Boston on 7 November 1944, she joined an anti-submarine group operation in the North Atlantic. Operating south of Newfoundland, "Reuben James" was present when "Buckley" sank "U-879" on 19 April 1945.

Arriving at Houston, Texas, on 4 July 1945 "Reuben James" completed conversion to a radar picket ship on 25 November 1945, and was subsequently employed in the Atlantic and the Caribbean while being stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. She was decommissioned on 11 October 1947.

In 1949 she was designated DER, but was reclassified DE in 1954. She remained in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until struck from the Navy list 30 June 1968. Her hulk was sunk as a target on 1 March 1971.

See USS "Reuben James" for other ships of this name.