- USS Lamson (DD-367)
The third USS "Lamson" (DD-367) was a "Mahan"-class
destroyer in theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II . She was named for Roswell Hawkes Lamson.History
"Lamson" was laid down
20 March 1934 byBath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; launched17 June 1936 ; sponsored by Miss Francis W. Andrews; and commissioned21 October 1936 , Commander H. E. Paddock in command.After shakedown in the Atlantic and
Caribbean , "Lamson" departedNorfolk, Virginia 16 June 1937 for the Pacific. ArrivingSan Diego, California , 1 July, the destroyer performed exercises and tactical training operations until she sailed forPearl Harbor 5 October 1939 . "Lamson" continued training operations from herHawaii an base for the next 2 years.She was returning to Pearl Harbor from patrol duty during the
Japan ese attack 7 December 1941. After a search for the Japanese task force, the destroyer patrolled Hawaiian waters and steamed toJohnston Island to rescue civilians. Departing Pearl Harbor 6 January 1942, "Lamson" arrivedPago Pago ,Samoa , 2 weeks later for ASW patrols.During early March she arrived in the
Fiji Islands to join the expanded ASW screen which was formed to keep the South Pacific supply lines open. After 6 months of patrol and screening operations, "Lamson" saw action 22 October when, with "Mahan", she attacked Japanese picket boats stationed between Gilbert andEllice Islands . The two destroyers made a coordinated attack beating off enemy air raids and sank two enemy craft.On 30 November, "Lamson" joined Rear Admiral Wright’s Task Force 67 during the
Battle of Tassafaronga . One Japanese destroyer was sunk and one damaged while the American force lost one cruiser and three damaged. "Lamson" returned to operate in the South Pacific for the next 8 months, screening convoys en route toGuadalcanal . Constantly at sea on patrol and ASW screen, the destroyer assisted other units as they paved the way for the Allied advance across the Pacific.Arriving
Milne Bay 19 August 1943 , "Lamson" joined Destroyer Squadron 5, the forerunner of the mighty 7th Fleet, to engage in theNew Guinea operations. In the landings atLae and inschhaven during September, she joined in the preinvasion bombardment, gave fire support after the landings, and escorted to the island reinforcement convoys needed to spearhead the drive towardJapan .After 2 months of escort duty, "Lamson" joined three other destroyers 29 November and penetrated 160 miles into enemy territory to bomb
Madang , the main Japanese naval base on New Guinea. On 15 December she engaged in preinvasion bombardment ofArawe ,New Britain , and, during the landings atCape Gloucester 11 days later, downed two “Vals.” Continuing the New Guinea operation, the destroyer bombardedSaidor 2 January 1944 .After a brief overhaul at
Mare Island and training at Pearl Harbor, "Lamson" arrived Eniwetok 8 August to join the 5th Fleet. For the next 2 months she engaged in patrol duty and ASW screen in theMarshall Islands before reassignment to the 7th Fleet.Departing
Hollandia 25 October, "Lamson" steamed to thePhilippines to serve as picket, patrol and screening ship for the massive Leyte assault. Throughout November the destroyer beat off numerous suicide plan attacks aimed at convoys bringing supplies to the Philippines. While screening a convoy offOrmoc Bay , "Lamson" downed two “Dinahs” before a third crashed into her superstructure, killing 25 of the destroyer’s crew and injuring 54 others.She arrived
Puget Sound Navy Yard 16 January 1945 for extensive repairs. Returning Eniwetok 10 May, "Lamson" operated for the rest of the war on patrol and air-sea rescue work offIwo Jima . A fitting climax to "Lamson's" fine war record came on 3 September, when she arrivedChichi Jima to supervise the surrender of theBonin Islands . Following occupation duty atSasebo, Japan for 1 month, the destroyer departed Japan 29 October for San Diego, arriving there 29 November.Fate
However, "Lamson" was still destined to play a valuable role in America’s progress as she arrived
Bikini Atoll later in May 1946 to participate inOperation Crossroads . The destroyer was sunk in Test Able, the atomic explosion2 July 1946 ."Lamson" received five
battle star s for World War II service.References
*
External links
*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/367.htm
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