USS Lea (DD-118)

USS "Lea" (DD-118) was a "Wickes"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. She was named in honor of Edward Lea.

History

"Lea" was laid down 18 September 1917 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; launched 29 April 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Harry E. Collins; and commissioned 2 October 1918, Lt. Comdr. W. A. Lee in command.

After service in the Atlantic with DesRon 19 during 1919, "Lea" transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1920 and served primarily along the west coast during the years between the wars. She was out of commission at San Diego 22 June 1922 to 1 May 1930, and 7 April 1937 to 30 September 1939. With Lt. Comdr. F. W. Slaven in command, she sailed for the east coast to join the neutrality patrol, guarding the western Atlantic through the tense months before America’s entry into World War II. She served in the force guarding transports carrying marines for the occupation of Iceland 8 July 1941.

For the first 2 1⁄2 years of U.S. participation in the war, "Lea" had convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic, the Caribbean, and along the eastern seaboard, hazarded by peak U-boat activity and dangerous weather conditions. She rescued survivors from stricken merchantmen as well as fighting off submarines and joining in several successful attacks.

The first of her many wartime rescues at sea came in February 1942, when she took on board the crew of Russian merchantman "Dvinoles", abandoned after collision damage. Later that month, 24 February, came a daylong battle with submarines when "Lea" and sister escorts again and again dashed out from their convoy screen to keep down attacking U-boats which had sunk four of the merchantmen.

Between 22 April 1943 and 30 May, "Lea" joined the hunter-killer group formed around escort carrier "Bogue" (CVE-9) in the first mission of such a group. On 21 May and 22 May, the "Bogue" aircraft became the first to engage a wolfpack attempting to rendezvous for a mass attack on a convoy. So successful were their six attacks in protecting the convoy that the group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation in which "Lea" shared.

On 31 December 1943, "Lea" was 5 days out of New York on convoy escort duty when she was rammed by a merchantman. Towed to Bermuda and later Boston, she completed repairs 28 June 1944, and began sailing from Newport as target ship for torpedo planes and escorting carriers during flight training. Between January 1945 and June, she had similar duty off Florida. Arriving Philadelphia 14 June, she decommissioned there 20 July 1945; was struck from the Navy Register 13 August 1945; and sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Salvage Company, Baltimore, 30 November 1945.

"Lea" received three battle stars for World War II service.

As of 2004, no other ships in the United States Navy have borne this name.

ee also

*List of United States Navy destroyers

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l4/lea.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/118.htm NavSource Photos]