|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN Bagley-class destroyer 1,500 Tons (light) 2,245 Tons (full) 341' 8" x 35' 6" x 10' 4" 4 x 5"/38 gun 4 x .50 cal MG 4x4 21" torpedo tubes 2 x depth charge tracks  USN February 26, 1942  USN 1942 |
Ship History Built by Mare Island Navy Yard at Mare Island. Laid down October 28, 1935 as a Bagley-class destroyer. Launched January 12, 1937 as USS Henley (DD-391) named for Captain Robert Henley, USN officer in the late 1700s and early 1800s sponsored by Miss Beryl Henley Joslin a relative of Henley. Commissioned August 14, 1937 in the U.S. Navy (USN). Afterwards, conducted a shakedown cruise off California and Hawaii. On September 12, 1938 assigned to Destroyer Division 11 at San Diego. On April 14, 1941 joins the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 moored in East Lock inside Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack and was the first warship to open fire on the first wave of planes. That morning, her commanding officer and executive officer were both ashore. A bomb exploded 150 yards off her port bow causing her to slip her chain from the mooring buoy, and got underway and maneuvered through smoke and fire to clear the channel. Her .50 caliber anti-aircraft guns claimed a dive bomber shot down and shared credit for another. Altered to enemy submarines, she dropped depth charges on a sonar contact. During the remainder of the month, operated with the task force to reinforce Wake Island and patrolled the shipping lanes to Midway. During early 1942, sent overseas to Australia and performed convoy escort duty and anti-submarine patrols. Wartime History On May 11, 1942 after the Battle of the Coral Sea, Henley rescued 109 survivors from USS Neosho AO-23 and 14 survivors from USS Sims DD-409. At 2:28pm Henley scuttled USS Neosho AO-23 with gunfire. On July 22, 1942 departs for Wellington then escorts transports bound for Guadalcanal. On August 7, 1942 performs anti-submarine patrols and was attacked by Japanese planes, claiming two shot down. Afterwards, escorts ships and transports until August 29, 1942 departs the area. For the remainder of the year, operates off Australia and New Guinea escorting convoys and performing anti-submarine patrols. On May 12, 1943 part of Allied convoy P.G. 50 from Cairns via Brisbane escorts Ormiston after hit by a torpedo that failed to explode with HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Kybra to Coffs Harbour. On September 21, 1943 part of the screen of warships off Finschafen and survives an air raid by ten torpedo planes and claims three shot down and three shared victories. Afterwards, continued to operate in the area. Sinking History On October 3, 1943 Henley under the command of Cdr Carlton R. Adams with USS Reid (DD-369) and USS Smith (DD-378) were tasked with an anti-submarine sweep of Huon Gulf off Finschafen. Detected by Japanese submarine RO-108 approaches undetected and makes a submerged attack off Cape Cretin firing a spread of four torpedoes at 6:12pm aimed at the destroyer that were not zig-zagging. At 6:21, the wakes of three torpedoes were spotted abaft of Smith's port beam and she made a full right turn and escaped between two of them, with one passing 500 yards to port and the other 200 yards to starboard. Aboard Henley, two torpedoes were spotted in the in the water headed towards Henley that were evaded by maneuvering. A third torpedo was too close to avoid and hit Henley the port side and exploded in the no. 1 fire room, disabling the boilers, breaking the keel and displacing the bow 30°. Damaged, the crew were ordered to abandon ship. At 6:29pm the destroyer sank stern first at Lat 7° 40S, Long 148° 06E. Lost in the explosion and sinking was one officer and 14 sailors missing. Meanwhile, the two destroyers searched for the enemy submarine with Smith making a depth charge attack without results then returned to rescue the survivors. Rescue The surviving crew attached the life rafts together and awaited rescue using their flash lights to signal the friendly destroyers. In total 18 officers and 225 sailors were rescued. Awards Henley earned four battle stars during World War II. References NARA Destroyer Squadron Five - Action Report - sinking U.S.S. Henley (DD-391) on 3 October, 1943, October 22, 1943 pages 1-37 NARA History of USS Henley (DD-391) pages 1-2 NavSource - USS Henley (DD-391) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
