USS Radford (DD-120)

The first USS "Radford" (DD–120) was a "Wickes" class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I, later reclassified AG-22. She was named for William Radford.

History

"Radford" was launched 5 April 1918 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Newport News, Virginia; sponsored by Miss Mary Lovell Radford; and commissioned 30 September 1918 at Norfolk Navy Yard, Lt. Comdr. Arthur S. Carpenter in command.

Assigned to the Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet, "Radford" departed Norfolk 12 October on a shakedown cruise to Melville, Rhode Island. She returned to Hampton Roads 21 October 1918 to join the escort force for the Newport News section of Troop Convoy 76 bound for New York and European waters.

"Radford" subsequently operated on the U.S. east coast into 1919, sailing southward to Cuba 14 January 1919. While based at Guantanamo Bay, she also cruised to Guacanayabo Bay and Santiago, Cuba, before returning north 13 March 1919. "Radford" operated from Hampton Roads with the Atlantic Fleet from March until July 1919.

"Radford" was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet in July 1919 and cleared Hampton Roads 19 July for Balboa, Canal Zone, and San Diego. Upon her arrival at San Diego 7 August, she joined the Destroyer Force, Pacific Fleet. "Radford" operated from Mare Island Navy Yard, San Diego, and San Pedro into 1922, taking part in training exercises and squadron maneuvers as a unit of Division 12, Squadron 10, Destroyer Flotilla 4. She called at Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellingham, Washington, during September 1919, and at Portland, Oregon, in December 1920. Designated DD-120 in July 1920, "Radford" decommissioned 9 June 1922 and remained in reserve at San Diego for almost 15 years.

"Radford" was reclassified AG-22 on 16 April 1932 following the decision to convert her to a mobile target vessel. Conversion work was never undertaken and "Radford" reverted to DD-120 on 27 June 1932. Struck from the Navy list 19 May 1936, "Radford" was sunk 5 August 1936 in accordance with the provisions of the London Treaty for the limitation and reduction of naval armament.

See also

* USS "Radford" for other ships of this name
* List of United States Navy destroyers
* List of ship launches in 1918
* List of ship commissionings in 1918
* List of ship decommissionings in 1922
* List of shipwrecks in 1936

Resources

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r1/radford-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/120.htm NavSource Photos]