- USS MacKenzie (DD-614)
USS "MacKenzie" (DD-614) was a Sclass|Benson|destroyer in the
United States Navy duringWorld War II . She was named forAlexander Slidell MacKenzie .The third "MacKenzie" was laid down
29 May 1941 by theBethlehem Steel Corporation ,San Pedro, California ; launched27 June 1942 ; sponsored by Miss Gail Nielsen, descendant of Lt. Comdr. MacKenzie; and commissioned21 November 1942, Commander D. B. Miller in command."MacKenzie" transited the
Panama Canal 1 March 1943, after completion of shakedown and training cruises, and continued on to spend her entire World War II career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. She arrived atCasco Bay ,Maine , 13 March and commenced coastwise escort duties. In May, she graduated to transatlantic convoy assignments, completing two voyages to theMediterranean Sea by the end of June. On 16 May, she made two depth charge attacks on asonar contact; postwar review of German records proved them successful in the sinking of "U-182".Relieved of transatlantic duties at the end of June, she reported to the staging area for the “Cent” Attack Force, one of three such forces to initiate the Sicilian campaign. On 9 July she departed the north African coast, arriving at
Scoglitti , Sicily, the next day to screen the transport vessels and provide fire support. Three days later, the destroyer returned to convoy duty, conducting convoys between the United States and the Mediterranean until 7 October, and then engaging in escort work between North America and theUnited Kingdom . After repairs atSwansea ,England , in the late autumn, she made two more ocean crossings before beginning operations in the Mediterranean.On 18 March 1944, "MacKenzie" steamed into the harbor at
Naples to report for screening, fire support and antisubmarine patrol duties in conjunction with theAnzio operation. Starting her Anzio assignments with an assist in the sinking of a two-man submarine on the 19th, she continued to provide support on this front until resuming convoy duties 6 June. Taking up the offensive again in August, "MacKenzie" took part inOperation Dragoon , providing fire support for this invasion of southernFrance . On 15 September, she departed the Mediterranean and headed forBoston, Massachusetts and a 5-month repair and overhaul period.The destroyer took up duty in the Mediterranean again in February 1945 and from 28 March through 21 April spent her days in the bombardment of the Franco-Italian border and her nights on the blockade of the
Gulf of Genoa . In May, having assisted in the continuance of an effective second front, "MacKenzie" was assigned to convoy duty in theStrait of Gibraltar . She remained in the Mediterranean after the capitulation of theThird Reich , cruising its waters until returning to the United States in July.Upon her arrival, "MacKenzie" underwent overhaul preparatory to going to the Pacific. But, with the end of Pacific hostilities in mid-August, her orders were changed and on 4 November she entered the
Charleston Navy Yard for inactivation. She decommissioned4 February 1946 and in January 1947 entered the reserve fleet atPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania . She was struck from theNaval Vessel Register on1 July 1971 and sunk in fleet exercises on1 June 1974 ."MacKenzie" received four
battle star s for World War II service.
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