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| USN Fletcher-class destroyer 2,050 Tons 376' 6" x 39' 8" x 17' 9" 5 x 5" 38 cal guns 5 x Twin 40mm AA guns 7 x 20mm cannons 2 x 21" torpedo tubes 6 x depth charge throwers 2 x depth charge racks |
Ship History Built by Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas. Laid down June 25, 1941 as Fletcher-class destroyer. Launched April 1, 1942 as USS Claxton (DD-571) named for U.S. Navy officer Thomas Claxton who served in the War of 1812 sponsored by Mrs. A. D. Bernhard. Commissioned December 8, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Commander Herald F. Stout in command. Wartime History In March 1943 Claxton patrolled briefly in Casco Bay, Maine, awaiting the possible sortie of German battleship Tirpitz from Norwegian waters. After one convoy escort assignment to Casablanca, she sailed from Charleston, South Carolina, 17 May to join the Pacific Fleet. After training at Nouméa and Espiritu Santo from 12 June 1943, Claxton covered the landings at Rendova between 27 June and 25 July, then joined Destroyer Squadron 23 for a period of operations which were recognized with the Presidential Unit Citation. In the struggle for the Solomons, Claxton and her squadron patrolled to intercept enemy shipping, protected the passage of American troops and shipping, bombarded enemy bases, covered landings, and engaged Japanese surface and air forces. On November 1, 1943 sortied with U.S. Navy Task Force 39 (TF 39) to block the entrance of Empress Augusta Bay and intercept a Japanese force of cruisers and destroyers. On November 2, 1943 in the early morning hours during the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay Claxton with four cruisers and seven destroyers, fired her torpedoes in an attack which turned back a Japanese force of four cruisers and six destroyers sailing to attack transports off Bougainville, sinking two and damaging four of the enemy ships. After the battle, Claxton towed damage USS Foote (DD-511) to Purvis Bay, arriving on November 4, 1943. On November 25, 1943 during the Battle of Cape St. George Claxton and four other destroyers intercepted a force of five Japanese destroyers, as the enemy ships sailed to evacuate aviation troops to Rabaul. Once more fighting in darkness, Claxton and the others achieved complete surprise in their torpedo attack, and followed with a running gun battle. In this classic destroyer action, three Japanese ships were sunk and a fourth damaged, with no injury to the American ships. On February 4, 1944 while conducting a shore bombardment of Sarime Plantation on Bougainville, seriously damaged by an explosion aft, probably caused by hits from two medium caliber shells that cause damage and results in 15 wounded. Despite the damage, Claxton completed her fire support mission then departs for Purvis Bay for temporary repairs then departs across the Pacific to the west coast for permanent repairs. During August 1944 returns to duty and screens escort carriers. During September 1944 participates in the invasion of Palau. During late October 1944 steams north to support the U.S. landings on Leyte in the Philippines. Before the invasion Claxton covers Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) clearing the landing beaches. On October 20, 1944 provides fire support and screening for the U.S. amphibious landings on eastern Leyte. During the Battle for Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944 in the Battle of Surigao Strait screens the battle line that engaged the Japanese southern force. Afterwards, returned to Leyte Gulf. On November 1, 1944 while patrolling in Leyte Gulf targeted by Japanese planes and hit by a kamikaze that was a near miss and crashed and exploded to starboard and resulted in 5 dead and 23 wounded and caused a 9' by 5' wide hole that flooded living spaces. Aboard, the men used their mattresses to fill the hole and perform emergency repairs and rescued 187 survivors from USS Abner Read (DD-526) sunk by a kamikaze. Afterwards, repaired at Tacloban then steamed to Manus. Then escorts the invasion force bound for Lingayen Gulf and supports U.S. forces between January 9, 1945 until January 18, 1945 conducting fire support and patrols. Afterwards, covers landings and conducts shore bombardments on Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas until early May 1945 then departs for Okinawa. On May 16, 1945 arrives off Okinawa and serves as a radar picket and fighter-director. On June 6, 1945 fired at a flight of twelve Japanese planes. Claxton continued to serve off Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War. Postwar On September 10, 1945 departs Okinawa across the Pacific bound for the United States. On October 17, 1945 arrives Washington D.C. and two days later the destroyer was presented with the Presidential Unit Citation. Afterwards, underwent an overhaul in New York. On April 18, 1946 placed into reserve in Charleston. On December 15, 1959 loaned to under the Military Assistance Program to the Federal Republic of Germany and renamed Zerstörer 4 (Z-4) and designated as a Zerstörer 1-class destroyer. Fate During February 1981, transferred to the Greek Navy where she was ultimately cannibalized for spare parts. Awards Claxton earned the Presidential Unit Citation and eight battle stars for her World War II service. Contribute
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