USS Chew (DD-106)

USS "Chew" (DD-106) was a "Wickes"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. She was named in honor of Samuel Chew.

History

"Chew" was launched 26 May 1918 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California; sponsored by Mrs. F. X. Gygax; and commissioned 12 December 1918, Commander J. H. Klein, Jr., in command.

"Chew" sailed for the east coast on 21 December 1918, arriving at Newport 10 January 1919. After repairs at New York and refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, she cleared New York 28 April to patrol during the first historic transatlantic seaplane flight, made by Navy craft, then made visits to the Azores, Gibraltar, Malta, and Constantinople before returning to New York 5 June. After repairs, she cleared 17 September for San Diego, which she reached 12 October. From 19 November 1919 she was in reduced commission, operating only infrequently with Reserve Division 10 until placed out of commission 1 June 1922.

Recommissioned 14 October 1940, "Chew" was assigned to Defense Force, 14th Naval District, and arrived at Pearl Harbor 17 December 1940. "Chew" conducted patrols and had training duty from her home port until the outbreak of hostilities. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941, she was moored in port and opened fire at the enemy planes, aiding in shooting down one and hitting two more. She got underway for patrol immediately, making depth charge attacks on eight different contacts. Two of her crew were killed while on board "Pennsylvania" (BB-38) assisting in rescue work.

"Chew" remained at Pearl Harbor throughout the war on patrol, inter-island escort, and submarine training duty. She also made occasional voyages as a convoy escort and screening vessel to San Francisco and Seattle. She departed Pearl Harbor 21 August 1945 for the east coast, arriving at Philadelphia 13 September. She was decommissioned there 10 October 1945, and sold 4 October 1946.

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

As of 2005, no other ships in the United States Navy have gone by this name.

ee also

*List of United States Navy destroyers

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c7/chew.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/106.htm NavSource Photos]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/ph32.htm USS Chew Pearl Harbor AAR]