- USS Doneff (DE-49)
The USS "Doneff" (DE-49) was an "Evarts"-class
destroyer escort which served in thePacific Theater of Operations . The only encounter with theImperial Japanese Navy was the sighting of one or two zero fighters during the operational time spent in theAleutian Islands . The ChiefYeoman was Arthur E. Brockschmidt, who died on22 January 2003 inSpringfield, Illinois .DE-49, originally intended for transfer to Britain, was launched on
24 July 1942 byPhiladelphia Navy Yard ; retained by the U.S. Navy; named "Doneff" on4 March 1943 , and commissioned on10 June 1943 , withLieutenant Commander L. C. Mabley, USNR, in command.Doneff arrived at
San Diego, California , as escort for aconvoy on9 September 1943 . On27 September she got underway for Alaskan waters and escort duty. From April 1944 she cruised between Attu and theKurile Islands to report enemy contacts, forced landings of aircraft, andweather , and to guide planes and serve as rescue vessels in case of forced landings. She returned to Attu on19 May for escort duty between Alaskan ports. Except for a period as guard ship again from1 August to21 August 1944 , she continued to escort convoys until7 January 1945 when she sailed forSan Francisco, California , and overhaul.Arriving at
Pearl Harbor 9 March 1945 for exercises, "Doneff" got underway on20 March to escort a convoy toEniwetok , arriving there on28 March . She served atGuam on patrol and local escort duty, then madeanti-submarine patrols offSaipan until6 August , when she sailed forOkinawa as a convoy escort, returning to Saipan on19 August . From25 August to23 September , she joined thedestroyer USS "Mayrant" to receive the surrender of the Japanese garrison onMarcus Island and support occupation of the island by American troops.After brief overhaul at Guam, "Doneff" put to sea on
11 October , arriving at San Pedro on26 October . "Doneff" was decommissioned on22 December 1945 at San Diego, and sold for scrapping on9 January 1947 .Awards
(Source: http://www.multied.com/navy/DE/Doneff.html)
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