|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN Gleaves-class destroyer 1,630 Tons 348' 3" x 36' 1" x 11' 10" 4 x 5" guns 6 x 20mm AA 6 x .50 cal MG 5 x 21" torpedo tubes 2 x depth charge racks |
Ship History Built by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey. Laid down February 11, 1941 as a Gleaves-class destroyer. Launched November 22, 1941 as USS Buchanan (DD-484) as the second ship named after Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Sponsored by Miss Hildreth Meiere, great-granddaughter of Admiral Buchanan. Commissioned March 21, 1941 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Commander R. E. Wilson in command and departed for the Pacific on May 28, 1942. Wartime History On August 7, 1942 Buchanan supports the U.S. invasion of Tulagi with USS Monssen (DD-436) and provides fire support for U.S. Marines, 2nd Marine Regiment circling Gavutu and Tanambogo. On August 9, 1942 participates in the Battle of Savo Island. Afterwards, Buchanan helps rescue survivors of USS Astoria (CA-34), USS Quincy (CA-39), USS Vincennes (CA-44) and HMAS Canberra (D33). During September 1942 escorted USS Wasp (CV-7) and other Navy vessels to Noumea then jointed Task Force 64.1 (TF 64.1) and participated in the occupation of Funafuti Island. During the night of October 11-12, 1942 participated in the Battle of of Cape Esperance. On November 12, 1942 at the start of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Japanese aircraft attack U.S. warships and transports in Iron Bottom Sound off the north coast of Guadalcanal. At 2:16pm a G4M1 Betty released a torpedo that missed, USS San Francisco (CA-38). The same Betty was hit by anti-aircraft fire and deliberately crashed into the after control station that killing 30 crew. This was the only damage inflicted on the American vessels by the Japanese bombers. Also damaged was USS Buchanan (DD-484) that was hit by friendly gunfire that killed five aboard and forced it to be withdrawn for repairs. PARTIAL LIST On July 12, 1943 at 5:00pm departs Tulagi with U.S. Navy Task Force 18 (TF 18) under the command of Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth three light cruisers USS Honolulu (CL-48), USS St. Louis (CL-49), and HMNZS Leander (75) and ten destroyers USS Nicholas (DD-449), USS O'Bannon (DD-450), Taylor, Jenkins, USS Radford (DD-446), Ralph Talbot, USS Buchanan (DD-484), Maury, USS Woodworth (DD-460), and USS Gwin (DD-433) to intercept a Japanese "Tokyo Express" run bound for Kolombangara. On July 13, 1943 at 1:03am the Allied force spots the Japanese on radar and engaged starting the Battle of Kolombangara (Second Battle of Kula Gulf). PARTIAL HISTORY On February 17, 1944 during the night Task Group 38.4 (TG 38.4) composed of the destroyers USS Farenholt (DD-491), USS Buchanan (DD-484), USS Lansdowne (DD-486), USS Lardner (DD-487) and USS Woodworth (DD-460) conducted a shore bombardment of targets on East New Britain near Rabaul known as the Battle of Karavia Bay. On February 18, 1944 in the early morning hours, the destroyers fired on batteries at Praed Point (141 rounds) and a gun battery at Raluana (56 rounds). Heavy gunfire was observed from Simpson Harbor and Karavia Bay areas. At 1:24am torpedoes were fired through the center of the mine field across the entrance to Karavia Bay. At 0126 to to the south into Vunapopo bivouac and supply area (244 rounds), cleared Credner Island. At 1136 our observation plane dropped a stick of bombs on Cape Gazelle shore batteries. At 1:37am ceased firing Vunapopo area, shifted to Cape Gazelle shore battery (firing 284 rounds) which had opened fire on the formation. At 1:40am opened fire on Cape Gazelle shore batteries, then passed the center of channel between Duke of York Islands and Cape Gazelle. At 2:00am on the fantail of USS Lardner, the bloomer on the No. 4 gun had caught fire from the heat of firing, but was quickly extinguished. At 2:30am unidentified plane reported. Until 5:15am, “bogies” were reported at intervals, singly and in groups (about four) one dropped flares on starboard beam at about 3:10am. One “bogie” approached as close as as 3 miles. Due to heavy overcast and rain squalls, the Squadron Commander felt reluctant to allow the ship to return fire and reveal our presence, at 3:35am cleared St. George's Channel. At least one fighter, A6M Zero pilot Komachi took off from Tobera Airfield armed with two 60kg bombs. Over the destroyers, he made several strafing runs on the first destroyer and a bomb run on the second until all his ammunition was expended then departed. PARTIAL HISTORY On August 29, 1945 escorted USS South Dakota into Tokyo Bay. On September 1, 1945 embarked Fleet Admiral Nimitz and Fleet Admiral Halsey from their flagships ashore to Yokohama to meet with General Douglas MacArthur then took each Admiral back to their flagships. On September 2, 1945 at 7:00am took the American press corps including 170 newsmen an cameramen to USS Missouri (BB-63). At 8:43am delivered General Douglas MacArthur to USS Missouri (BB-63) and remained nearby during the official surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay and afterwards transported General Douglas MacArthur to Yokohama. For her World War II service, Buchanan earned the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) and sixteen battle stars making her one of the most decorated U.S. Navy ships. Postwar On October 8, 1945 departed across the Pacific arriving at San Francisco twelve days later. Afterwards, transited the Panama Canal to Charleston for an overhaul then placed out of commission on May 21, 1946. Recommissioned on December 11, 1948 at Charleston and underwent shakedown and refresher training with a nucleus Turkish crew aboard. On March 29. 1949 departed Charleston bound for Gölcük, Turkey. On April 28, 1949 turned over to the Turkish Navy and commissioned as destroyer TCG Gelibolu (D-346) until retired in 1976. Scrapping During 1976 scrapped in Turkey. References Siege of Rabaul page 24 Imperial Japanese Navy Aces page 33 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
