|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN Fletcher-class destroyer 2,050 Tons 376' 6" x 39' 8" x 17' 9" 5 x 5"/38 cal guns 4 x 40mm AA guns 4 x 20mm cannons 10 x 21" torpedo tubes 6 x depth charge projectors 2 x depth charge tracks  USN June 27, 1945 |
Ship History Built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in Seattle. Laid down September 7, 1942 as a Fletcher-class destroyer. On September 10, 1943 launched as USS Ross (DD-563) named for Lt. David Ross in the Continental Navy sponsored by Mrs. William J. Malone. Commissioned February 21, 1944 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Commander Benjamin Coe in command. Afterwards, underwent a shakedown cruise off California. Wartime History On May 5, 1944 departs for Pearl Harbor then sortied with Force 52 (TF 52) for Eniwetok then attached to the carrier support group for the invasion of Saipan. On June 14, 1944 arrives east of Saipan and over the next several days operates as a screen and plane guard for the aircraft carriers. PARTIAL HISTORY On October 12, 1944 departs Seeadler Harbor off Manus bound for the offshore islands in the eastern Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. On October 17, 1944 arrives off Dinagat Island. On October 18, 1944 covers the U.S. Army 6th Ranger Battalion, Company B on Homonhon Island on Black Beach 2. Afterwards, joins Task Unit 77.2.6 (77.2.6) to cover minesweepers and hydrography unit to clear a passage in Leyte Gulf for the U.S. invasion force. On October 19, 1944 at 1:33am struck a mine on the port side under the forward engine room and fire room; and began to list to port. At 01:55 she struck a second mine in the vicinity of the after engine room. The list increased to 14°. Aboard, 3 were killed, 20 missing and 9 wounded. At 2:10am jettisoned six torpedoes, all port depth charges, and miscellaneous gear. Topside movable weights were shifted to starboard. The list began to decrease. Meanwhile, USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) and USS Preserver (ARS-8) arrive to render assistance. At 3:43am taken under tow by USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) and four hours later anchors off Montoconan Island and Homonhon Island. At 12:04pm targeted by Japanese planes and shrapnel wounds two more crew. Afterwards, salvage work began but frequent Japanese air raids interrupted work. On November 23, 1944 moved to the Northern Transport Area anchorage in Leyte Gulf. On November 24, 1944 towed into into San Pedro Bay and docked in floating drydock USS ARD-19. On November 27, 1944 damaged when a Ki-44 Tojo crashed into the floating drydock's starboard wing wall and caused a fire in dock basin deck. As firefighters attempted to extinguish the fames , another Japanese plane began a strafing run and was shot down by gunfire from the surrounding vessels including Ross, ARD-19 and USS LST-556. PARTIAL HISTORY On March 2, 1945 arrives Mare Island for repairs. In late June 1945 departs for San Diego. During July 1945 departs via Pearl Harbor bound for Ulithi arriving August 14, 1945 a day before the surrender of Japan. Postwar During August 24, 1945 until September 4, 1945 performs air-sea rescue duty for American forces moving from Okinawa to Japan. On September 5, 1945 enters Tokyo Bay and remains into October 1945 for occupation duty. On October 21, 1945 departs across the Pacific bound for the United States. On November 9, 1945 arrives Seattle for inactivation. During 1946 moved to San Diego. On June 4, 1946 decommissioned and for the next five years is part of the Reserve Fleet at San Diego. During the summer of 1951 activated. On October 27, 1951 recommissioned and operates off southern California. On March 12, 1952 departs San Diego via the Panama Canal to escort aircraft carriers USS Ranger and USS Antietam to Norfolk. Later, moves to Philadelphia Navy Yard for overhaul and conversion adding a tripod mainmast to support radar/countermeasures and a smaller secondary tripod mast amidships for AA firecontrol/countermeastures and adds 3.5" guns replacing her 20mm and 40mm guns. During February 1953 departs to the Caribbean then to Norfolk and departs for a cruise to Scotland and Norway. In August 1953 returns to the Caribbean then back to Norfolk and patrols off the east coast. On April 20, 1954 departs Norfolk for an around the world cruise via the Panama Canal then across the Pacific to Japan. On May 28, 1954 arrives Yokosuka and assigned to the 7th Fleet and patrols the Sea of Japan and South China Sea. In late July 1954 operats off Indochina. On August 31, 1954 departs Sasebo via Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo and the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean then crossed the Atlantic Ocean. On October 28, 1954 returns to Norfolk. Fate On January 26, 1978 sunk as a target off Puerto Rico. Awards For her World War II service, Ross earned five battle stars. References Antiaircraft Action Summary COMINCH P-009 page 26 (Table II Ships Sunk or Damaged by Suicide Planes) Contribute
Information |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
