USS Hart (DD-594)

USS "Hart" (DD-594), a "Fletcher"-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy of that name, in honor of Lieutenant Patrick H. Hart (1912–1942), who posthumously received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of Midway.

"Hart", originally designated "Mansfield" and renamed "Hart" 21 March 1944, was launched 25 September 1944 by Puget Sound Navy Yard; sponsored by Lt. Hart's mother, Mrs. Emma Hart; and commissioned 4 November 1944, Commander W. D. Coleman in command.

History

"Hart" conducted her regular shakedown cruise off California and during her training participated in experimental high-speed refueling exercises with oiler "Kaskaskia" (AO-27). From 12 December to 23 December, the destroyer refueled at sea some 50 times under all conditions of sea and weather gaining vital information on how to improve this key wartime operation. Ending her regular shakedown 31 January 1945, the ship departed 19 February for Pearl Harbor. From 27 February to 3 March she escorted aircraft carrier "Intrepid" (CV-11) in gunnery and aircraft operations, departing for Ulithi on 5 March.

Arriving at Ulithi 16 March, "Hart" joined the assembled task forces for the Okinawa operation. From her arrival 24 March until 12 April the ship was assigned as part of the screen for escort carriers furnishing close air support for the landings and preinvasion neutralization of neighboring Japanese air strips. Detached 12 April, she assumed duty as an escort for transports for 2 days and then commenced protective patrol duties during landings near Okinawa.

"Hart" was detached from 5th Fleet 19 April and proceeded to the Philippines to join 7th Fleet for the Borneo landings. She arrived off Brunei Bay 9 June 1945 and commenced a patrol of the South China Sea to guard against possible interference from the remains of the Japanese Fleet at Singapore. "Hart" also carried out shore bombardment beginning 11 June in support of Australian troops landing at Brunei Bay. On 14 June she shot down her first Japanese aircraft during an attempted bombing. During the period 19 June–21 June she provided close support for further landings on the coast of Borneo near Brunei Bay, and then departed for Balikpapan and other amphibious operations. There "Hart" patrolled, provided starshell illumination, and directed minesweeping vessels through the treacherous enemy minefields off the beaches. Australian troops went ashore 1 July under cover of fire from "Hart" and other ships; during the operation "Hart" destroyed two mines and a 75 mm gun emplacement ashore.

Temporarily leaving the landing areas, "Hart" was assigned as part of the escort for General Douglas MacArthur in "Cleveland" (CL-55), steaming to Manila with the General and then proceeding to Leyte 5 July. She next moved to Subic Bay for training exercises and escort duty, and after the surrender of Japan 15 August was assigned to the newly formed North China Force.

"Hart" departed 5 September 1945 to support the landing of Army occupation forces at Jinsen, Korea. The force threaded its way through many mines en route, and after arrival "Hart" sent boarding parties on board Japanese merchantmen in the harbor for inspection and disarming. This duty completed, "Hart" sailed for China, escorting Cruiser Division 6 in an important show of force off the coast. She continued through the next few months to aid in the landings of American Marines, calling at Port Arthur, Tsingtao, and Taku.

The veteran destroyer sailed for the United States 9 February 1946, decommissioned 31 May 1946, and was placed in reserve at Long Beach, California. She was later moved to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, and then Stockton, California.

Fate

"Hart" was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 15 April 1973; she was sold 3 December 1973, and broken up for scrap.

"Hart" received two battle stars for her service in World War II.

References

*DANFS|http://history.navy.mil/danfs/h3/hart-ii.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/594.htm navsource.org: USS "Hart"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd594txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Hart"]