USS Shelton (DE-407)

The USS "Shelton" (DE-407) was a "John C. Butler"-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Ensign James A. Shelton, (a naval aviator who was reported missing during the Battle of Midway), she was the first of two U.S. Naval vessels to bear the name. "Shelton" was laid down on 1 November 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding of Houston, Texas; launched on 18 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. John Shelton; and commissioned on 4 April 1944 with Lieutenant Lewis B. Salomon, USNR, in command. After fitting out and loading stores, "Shelton" steamed out of port on 21 April, in company with the USS "Edmonds" (DE-406) bound for Bermuda on her shakedown cruise. Upon completion, she underwent post-shakedown availability at the Boston Navy Yard from 25 May to 15 June. The escort departed Boston on 16 June en route to San Diego via New York, Hampton Roads, and Balboa C.Z. "Shelton" arrived at San Diego on 6 July and sailed for Pearl Harbor three days later. The DE stood out from Pearl Harbor on 26 July as part of a convoy proceeding to Eniwetok. The convoy arrived there on 6 August and was dissolved. "Shelton" was then assigned as a unit in the screen for Task Force (TF) 57 composed of five carriers and routed to Seeadler Harbor, Admiralty Island. After arriving there on 13 August, "Shelton" operated in the area until the following month when she was assigned to the Morotai Attack Force (TF 77). "Shelton" was still off Morotai on 3 October in the screen for USS "Fanshaw Bay" (CVE-70) and USS "Midway" (CVE-63) when they were attacked by the Japanese submarine "RO-41". A torpedo wake was sighted at 1,500 yards heading for the escort. In evading it, "Shelton" was hit on the starboard screw by a second torpedo which caused severe damage and flooding. USS "Richard M. Rowell" (DE-403) came alongside and removed the crew. The escort was taken under tow but capsized and sank. "Shelton" was struck from the Navy Vessel Register on 27 November 1944. "Shelton" received one battle star for World War II service. 13 of her crew were lost with the ship and remain on duty.

References

*
* cite web|title=USS "Shelton" (DE-407)|work=Destroyer Escort Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/407.htm|accessdate=March 14|accessyear=2007

ee also

* USS "Shelton" (DD-790)
* See List of U.S. Navy losses in World War II for other Navy ships lost in WWII.