USS Dortch (DD-670)

USS "Dortch" (DD-670) was a "Fletcher"-class destroyer of the United States Navy, the only Navy ship named for Isaac Foote Dortch, who was awarded the Navy Cross.

"Dortch" (DD-670) was laid down on March 2, 1943 and launched 20 June 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey; sponsored by Miss M.C. Dortch, daughter of Captain Dortch; and commissioned 7 August 1943, Lieutenant Commander R.C. Young in command.

History

During October and November 1943 Dortch sailed to Trinidad, British West Indies, where she served as plane guard and screen for USS "Langley" (CVL-27) during the carrier's shakedown cruise. Dortch sailed from Norfolk on December 3 in the screen of newly commissioned USS "Intrepid" (CV-11) and arrived at Pearl Harbor on December 28.

"Dortch" served in the screen of the Fast Carrier Task Force TF 58 during the capture and occupation of the Marshall Islands from January 29, 1944. She took part in the initial raids on Truk of February 16 and 17 and on the Marianas on February 23, then sailed with the task group providing air cover for landings on Emirau Island in March. Later that month she rejoined TF 58 for raids on Palau, Yap, Ulithi and Woleai from March 30 to April 1; support of the Hollandia operation in New Guinea on April 21 and 22; and a repeat raid on Truk from April 29 to May 1.

After screening escort carriers to Pearl Harbor, "Dortch" returned to TF 58 for the capture and occupation of Saipan, screening the carriers as they fought and won the decisive Battle of the Philippine Sea. During the invasion of Guam "Dortch" patrolled west of the island as life guard and fighter director ship, as well as screening the carriers that provided air support for the troops ashore.

"Dortch" saw action in the 5th Fleet raids on the Bonins on August 4 and 5, 1944, then returned to cover the landings on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on September 15. She remained with the fast carriers while they pounded airfields and installations in the Nansei Shoto, Formosa, Luzon, and on the Chinese coast to neutralize Japanese bases in preparation for the invasion of the Philippines. She continued to protect the carriers as they launched strikes against the Japanese fleet in the Battle for Leyte Gulf October 24-25.

On February 10, 1945 Dortch sortied in a scouting line ahead of TF 58 for the strike on the Tokyo Bay area of February 16 and 17. On the following day "Dortch", with USS "Clarence K. Bronson" (DD-668), attacked and seriously damaged an enemy picket vessel; "Dortch" received 14 casualties in the action. On the 19th she was off Iwo Jima for the assault landings, and continued to patrol off the island in the day and screen transports at night. She rejoined the carriers for raids on Tokyo on February 25 and strikes and Photo reconnaissance missions over Okinawa March 1. Returning to duty at Iwo Jima, "Dortch" sailed March 29 for an overhaul on the west coast, arriving in San Francisco April 21. Dortch got underway on July 9, 1945, and bombarded Wake Island on August 8 while making her passage to Guam. On August 27 she entered Tokyo Bay, and served in the occupation of Japan and its possessions until sailing for the States December 5, 1945. She was placed out of commission in reserve at Charleston, S.C. on July 19, 1946.

Recommissioned May 4, 1951 Dortch was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, and from Newport, operated on the east coast and in the Caribbean. In August 1952 she sailed to take part in NATO Operation "Mainbrace" off Norway and Denmark, returning to Newport October 9. On April 27, 1953 she sailed for the Pacific, and operated with TG 77 off Korea until October. She continued west to complete a round-the-world cruise, returning to Newport in December. In 1954-55 and 1957 she served with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, patrolling off the Gaza Strip, where conditions remained tense after the Suez Crisis, during the latter cruise. "Dortch" continued her east coast and Caribbean operations until again placed out of commission in reserve on December 13, 1957.

"Dortch" received eight battle stars for World War II service and one for Korean war service.

Argentina

"Dortch" was placed out of commission in reserve on December 13, 1957, transferred to Argentina as "Espora" on August 16, 1961, and finally struck from the Navy list on September 1, 1975. The "Espora" was stricken from the Argentine Navy list and broken up for scrap in 1977.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d5/dortch.htm

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d5/dortch.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Dortch"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/670.htm navsource.org: USS "Dortch"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd670txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Dortch"]