USS Ira Jeffery (DE-63)

USS "Ira Jeffery" (DE-63/ADP-44), a sclass|Buckley|destroyer escort of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Ensign Ira Well Jeffery (1918-1941) who was killed in action during the Japanese attack on the Hawaiian Islands while serving aboard the battleship USS|California|BB-44|2.

"Ira Jeffery" was laid down as "Jeffery" 13 February 1943 by Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Massachusetts; launched 15 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. D. C. Jeffery, mother of Ensign Jeffery, renamed "Ira Jeffery" 29 July 1943; and commissioned 15 August 1943, Lt. Comdr. R. A. Fitch in command.

"Ira Jeffery" conducted shakedown training off Bermuda and in Casco Bay, Maine, before returning to Naval Torpedo Station, Quonset, Rhode Island, for experiments with noise-makers designed to counter the German acoustic torpedo. She then moved to New York and departed 5 November 1943 with her first Atlantic convoy. During the next year, she sailed with seven Atlantic troop convoys, seeing each safely to staging points in Northern Ireland or Great Britain. After her return to Charleston 22 October 1944, "Ira Jeffery" joined a large convoy of cranes, powerplants, and tugs bound for the invasion ports of Europe. On the return crossing, 20 December 1944, the escort's convoy was attacked by the U-boat U-870. After sinking an LST and damaging destroyer escort USS|Fogg|DE-57|2, the submarine was driven off. "Ira Jeffery" assisted the damaged ship and eventually escorted her through rough seas to the Azores.

Returning to the United States 1 February 1945, the ship spent two weeks working with experimental mines in Chesapeake Bay. She entered the New York Naval Shipyard 15 February for conversion to a high speed transport. After the installation of troop quarters and extensive alterations she emerged in May 1945 as "APD-44" (officially reclassified 23 February 1945) and departed 12 May for shakedown in Chesapeake Bay. "Ira Jeffery" then sailed 25 May with aircraft carrier USS USS|Antietam|CV-36|2 for the Panama Canal and Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 18 June 1945.

After training in Hawaiian waters, the ship returned to San Diego 23 July and began training with underwater demolition teams. She sailed 16 August, 1 day after the war's end for the forward areas, stopping at Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Manila. After demolition exercises in Lingayen Gulf, she sailed to Wakayama, Japan, where underwater demolition teams reconnoitered beaches prior to American occupation landings. After the successful operation, "Ira Jeffery" sailed for the United States, arriving San Diego 20 November 1945.

The ship sailed via the Panama Canal for the East Coast and, after her arrival Philadelphia 8 December, underwent repairs. "Ira Jeffery" then sailed to Jacksonville, Florida, and decommissioned at Green Cove Springs 18 June 1946. She entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and remained there until struck from the Navy List 1 June 1960. She was sunk during tests in July 1962.

References

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/063.htm navsource.org: USS "Ira Jeffery"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/escorts/de63.txt hazegray.org: USS "Ira Jeffery"]