USS Fechteler (DE-157)

USS "Fechteler" (DE-157), a "Buckley"-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Augustus Fechteler, a Rear Admiral serving in the United States Navy during World War I.

"Fechteler" was launched on 22 April 1943 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard; sponsored by Miss Joan S. Fechteler, granddaughter of Rear Admiral Fechteler and niece of Lieutenant Frank Casper Fechteler; and commissioned 1 July 1943, Lieutenant Commander C. R. Simmers in command.

Between 8 September 1943 and 31 December, "Fechteler" made two voyages on the key convoy route New York-Netherlands West Indies-North Africa, escorting vulnerable tankers carrying fuel and other oil products essential to modern warfare. After overhaul at New York City, she took part in experimental antisubmarine exercises in Narragansett Bay, from which she sailed 28 February 1944 for the Azores and Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Arriving on 6 March 1944, she joined the escort of a New York-bound convoy, reaching the United States 22 March.

On 1 April 1944, "Fechteler" sailed from New York for Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she joined a convoy for Bizerte, arriving 22 April after coming under heavy enemy air attack 2 days previous. Homeward bound, "Fechteler" was torpedoed by U-967 commanded by Albrecht Brandi on 5 May in the Western Mediterranean. As the ship began to break in two and sink, it was abandoned. Twenty-nine of the crew were killed and 26 wounded. USS "Laning" (DE-159) and other ships of the convoy rescued 186 survivors.

"Fechteler" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/fechteler-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/157.htm navsource.org: USS "Fechteler"]
* [http://www.nnsy1.navy.mil/History/FECH_REE.HTM Norfolk Naval Shipyard - "Fechteler"]