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| USN Gleaves-class destroyer 1,839 Tons 348' 3" x 36' 1" x 11 10" 4 x 5" cal 38 guns 6 x .50 cal MG 6 x 20mm cannons 10 x 21 Torpedoes 2 Depth Charge Racks |
Ship History Built by by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Kearny, NJ. Laid down September 15, 1941 as a Gleaves-class destroyer. Launched March 20, 1942 as USS Lardner (DD-487) named for Rear Admiral James L. Lardner who served during the Civil War sponsored by his great-granddaughter Mrs. Sidney F. Tyler II. Commissioned May 13, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) under the command of Lt. Commander Willard M. Sweeter. Wartime History On May 28, 1942 began a shakedown cruise off New England and investigated reports of several U-Boats off the coast of Maine and searched for another U-Boat reported off Guantánamo Bay, Cuba until ending the cruise on July 1, 1942 and transits the Panama Canal. On August 21, 1942 departs Balboa bound for the South Pacific. On September 3, 1942 arrives Tongatapu in Tongo then escorts convoys between Noumea and Espiritu Santo. Also, screens transports bound for Guadalcanal and conducts shore bombardments. On September 15, 1942 part of the screen for Task Force 18 (TF-18) when USS Wasp was torpedoed and sunk. Afterwards, Lardner conducted a depth charge attack then rescued survivors and transports them to Espiritu Santo the next day. On October 17, 1942 at dawn arrives off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal and in the morning with USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) with U.S. Marines and Coastwatcher Martin Clemens aboard to spot targets began shelling Kokumbona on Guadalcanal. At 9:27am attacked by B5N2 Kates armed with bombs from Hiyō but fail to score any hits. Moments later, the eight B5N2 Kates from Junyō attack USS Lardner but fail to score any bomb hits. Anti-aircraft fire shoots down B5N2 Kate pilot Sai Goro Kanko. Afterwards, the Japanese planes are intercepted by F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighter Squadron 121 (VMF-121). On November 7, 1942 USS Lansdowne DD-486 and USS Lardner DD-487 search for Japanese submarine I-20 that launched HA-11 Type A Midget Submarine but fail to damage either. PARTIAL HISTORY Postwar On May 16, 1946 decommissioned and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. On June 10, 1949 transfered to Turkey under the Military Assistance Program and served in the Turkish Navy as TCG Gemlik (D 347). During 1974 decommissioned. Sinking History On November 21 1982 sunk as a target in the Eastern Mediterranean by the cruiser USS Biddle, frigates USS Julius A. Furer, USS Truett and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6). Awards Lardner earned ten battle stars for her World War II service. Contribute
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