USS O'Neill (DE-188)

USS O’Neill (DE-188) was a "Cannon"-class destroyer escort in the United States Navy. She was named for William Thomas O’Neill, Jr. "O’Neill" was laid down 26 August 1943 by Federal SB and Drydock Corp., Newark, New Jersey; launched 14 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. W. T. O’Neill and commissioned 6 December 1943, Lt. David S. Bill, Jr. in command.

World War II Atlantic operations

Following a shakedown cruise to Bermuda, "O’Neill" reported to the U. S. Atlantic Fleet for duty. Her first major assignment was a convoy operation from New York to the United Kingdom. This was followed by a series of similar operations, shepherding convoys between U. S. ports and: Casablanca, French Morocco; Bizerte, Tunisia; and Belfast, Northern Ireland. All Atlantic crossings were made without the loss of a single vessel.

Pacific Theatre operations

On October 31 "O’Neill" transited the Panama Canal and reported to the Pacific Fleet. Arriving in the forward area in December, she joined the 3rd Fleet under Admiral Halsey, and took part in the operations which culminated in the reconquest of Luzon in the Philippines. In February 1945, "O’Neill" became a unit of the 5th Fleet under Admiral Spruance, and served as an escort for the transports which landed the 3rd Marine Division at Iwo Jima. This landing took place on February 24, and thereafter USS O’Neill served in the antisubmarine screen around the island.

Invasion of Okinawa operations

After a passage to Milne Bay, New Guinea, "O’Neill" joined the force assigned for the invasion of Okinawa. The initial landings were made on 1 April. In the prolonged fight for the island, she served almost continuously for 60 days on ASW picket duty—shooting down a Japanese twin-engined bomber on 25 May, and being hit by a kamikaze suicide plane on the 26th. On the latter occasion two men were killed and 17 were wounded aboard the ship.

=Return to United States for repair of kamikaze da

Shortly after a change of command on 16 June, "O’Neill" returned to San Pedro, California. for repairs of battle damage and major overhaul. While in San Pedro the war in the Pacific came to an end. On completion of overhaul, she again transited the Panama Canal, returning to the Atlantic Fleet. "O’Neill" was placed out of commission in reserve on 2 May 1946, and berthed at Green Cove Springs, Florida, until 23 October 1950, at which time she was transferred to the Netherlands under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. "O’Neill" was struck from the U. S. Naval Register on 20 December 1950. After operating as Duboir (F809) she was returned to the USN in December 1967, and was sold to a scrap yard in West Germany in February 1968.

Awards

No record of battle stars yet located.

References

ee also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Destroyer escort

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/188.htm NavSource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive USS O'Neill (DE 188)]
* [http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/DE/DE-188_O'Neill.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 DE-188 USS O'Neill]
* [http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-de.html#cannon Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 DE -- Destroyer Escorts]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=80 uboat.net - Allied Warships - Cannon class Destroyer Escorts]