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| USN Wickes-class destroyer High-Speed transport 1,060 Tons 315' 5" x 31' 8" x 8' 6" 4 x 5" guns 2 x 40mm AA 5 x 20mm AA 4 x LCP Landing Craft  USN c1919  USN c1942  USN August 7, 1942 |
Ship History Built by Union Iron Works in San Francisco. Laid down February 12, 1918 as Wickes-class destroyer. Launched July 4, 1918 as USS McKean named for U.S. Navy Admiral William Wister McKean, sponsored by Miss Helen La Monte Ely. Named in honor of William Wister McKean. Commissioned February 20, 1919 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Commander Raleigh C. Williams in command. Served in the Atlantic during 1919 to 1922, making a cruise to Europe between May and July 1919, operated primarily out of New York and Charleston. Decommissioned at Philadelphia June 19, 1922. During 1940, converted into a high-speed transport with two boilers removed and troop quarters plus landing craft. On August 2, 1940 redesignated APD-5. On December 11, 1940 recommissioned at Norfolk with Lieutenant Commander Thomas Burrows in command. Assigned to Transport Division 12 (TransDiv 12) with with USS Little (APD-4), USS Colhoun (APD-2) and USS Gregory (APD-3). Wartime History On May 10, 1942 under the command of Commander Ralph L. Ramey, departs the eastern United States via the Panama Canal to the Pacific. On July 20, 1942 arrives in the South Pacific and begins preparations for upcoming the U.S. landings in the Solomon Islands. On August 7, 1942 during "Operation Watchtower" lands U.S. Marines on Tulagi. Afterwards, McKean made escort and supply runs from New Caledonia and the New Hebrides to the Solomon Islands. On January 31, 1943 departs for the west coast of the United States and undergoes an overhaul. Afterwards, returned to the South Pacific, she conducted escort and patrol duties between the New Hebrides and Solomons during June 1943. On July 17, 1943 embarks U.S. Marines from the 4th Raider Battalion on Guadalcanal then departs as part of a destroyer-transport convoy with USS Ward (APD-16), USS Kilty (DD-137), USS McKean (APD-5) and USS Waters (APD-8) for the seven hour voyage overnight to Enogai. On July 18, 1943 at 1:00am enters Enogai Inlet and lands the Raiders as reinforcements. Afterwards, patrols between Guadalcanal to New Georgia. During late October 1943 embarks Allied personnel for the landing in the Treasury Islands. On October 27, 1943 lands personnel at Soanotalu on Mono Island. Next, McKean joins a reinforcement convoy bound for Empress Augusta Bay. On November 6, 1942 arrives at Cape Torokina on Bougainville and lands U.S. Marine reinforcements. On November 11, 1943 returns to Empress Augusta Bay and lands more reinforcements at Cape Torokina on Bougainville then departs to Guadalcanal. On November 15, 1943 McKean embarks 185 U.S. Marines and departs up "The Slot" with another convoy scheduled to unload at Cape Torokina on Bougainville two days later. Sinking History On November 17, 1943 in the early morning, as the convoy was approaching Empress Augusta Bay, McKean was spotted by G4M1 Betty piloted by SFPO Kobayashi Gintaro from 702 Kōkūtai (702 Air Group) that released its aerial torpedo off the destroyer's starboard quarter. Although McKean turned to avoid the torpedo, at 3:50am hit on the starboard side causing the aft magazine and depth charges to explode. All power was lost, and her fuel oil tanks ruptured, causing a fire in the aft area and no. 1 exhaust. At 3:55am the order to abandon ship was issued. At 4:00am the destroyer began to sink stern first. At 4:12am with her forward magazine and oil tank exploded at roughly Lat 6° 31′ 0″ S, Long 154° 52′ 0″ E. Aboard, 64 crew and 52 Marines aboard died during the explosion and sinking. Rescue Afterwards, the surviving crew and Marines were rescued by other destroyers. Award McKean earned four battle stars for World War II service and a Navy Unit Commendation award. References Navy Source USS McKean (DD-90, APD-5) Navy Historical Center - USS McKean (DD-90, later APD-5), 1919-1943 Mitsubishi Type 1 Rikko Betty Units of World War 2 (2001) page 78 Contribute
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