USS Finch (DE-328)

USS "Finch" (DE-328) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort in the service of the United States Navy. She was named in honor of Lieutenant Joseph W. Finch, Jr., USNR.

"Finch" was first launched on 28 August 1943 at Orange, Texas as DE-328. She was commissioned three times.

"Finch" was first commissioned on 13 December 1943 and took on its officers and initial crew of 182 sailors under the command of Lieutenant Commander Albert H. Nienau, USNR. During her operation from 28 August 1943 until 6 March 1947, "Finch" entered sixty three ports from the eastern and western ports of the USA through the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. "Finch" was one of several vessels to participate in the evacuation of former POWs of the Japanese from Formosa in September of 1945. "Finch" participated in eighteen Convoys as an escort for a variety of naval and commercial ships. "Finch" entered drydock at Green Cove Springs, Florida on 4 October 1946 under the command of Lieutenant Commander R. L. Tully but was not finally decommissioned until 6 March 1947.

Fate

Transferred to USCG for service between 1951 and 1954 and redesignated WDE-428 cutter.

Stricken February 1, 1974, Sold for scrap August 16, 1974

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/finch-ii.htm
*NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DER328.htm

External links

* [http://www.ussfinch.com/ USS Finch Website]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/328.htm NavSource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive]
*http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Finch_1951.html