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| USN Benson-class destroyer 1,620 Tons 348' 4" x 36' 1" x 11' 9" 4 x 5" guns 4 x 1.1" AA guns 6 x .50 cal MG 7 x 20mm AA 5 x 21" Torpedo Tubes  With The Marines at Tarawa November 1943 |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in San Francisco. Laid down July 5, 1941 as a Benson-class destroyer. Launched March 17, 1942 as USS Frazier (DD-607) named for sailor Daniel Frazier who served in the First Barbary War, sponsored by Mrs. Richard McCullough. Commissioned July 30, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Commander Frank Virden in command. Wartime History On December 9, 1942 arrives Noumea escorting transports. For the next four months, escorts transports in the South Pacific (SoPAC) operating between Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal. On March 18, 1943 departs Efate across the Pacific bound for Pearl Harbor and rendezvous with a task force bound for the Aleutian Islands. On May 11, 1943 participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of Attu and covered the landings then patrolled the area. On May 12, 1943 spotted two periscopes and opened fire on Japanese submarine I-31 that dived but scored a hit on the periscope then made depth charge attacks until observing bubbles and an oil slick. On June 10, 1943 made contact with two submarines and engaged the target off Kiska. On June 11, 1943 overnight and in the morning dropped depth charges on two underwater contacts but was unable to determine the results but was credited with likely sinking Japanese submarine I-9. On August 2, 1943 conducted a shore bombardment of Kiska. On August 12, 1943 covered the landings on Kiska and screened the invasion force. In early September 1943 withdrew for an overhaul at Puget Sound. Afterwards, crossed the Pacific to Wellington then escorted transports for the invasion of Tarawa. On November 7, 1943 began six days of rehearsals off Efate for the upcoming invasion of the Gilbert Islands then departs northward bound for Tarawa (Betio). While underway, filmed delivering a message with secret orders to one of the transports. This footage later appeared in With The Marines at Tarawa. On November 20, 1943 participates in the pre-invasion bombardment and fire support. On November 22, 1943 engaged I-35 with USS Meade and makes depth charge attacks then Fraier rams the submarine and sustains bow damage and undergoes emergency repairs. On November 24, 1943 departs for Pearl Harbor and under repair and out of action for the remainder of the year. On January 22, 1944 departs Pearl Harbor for the invasion of the Marshall Islands. On January 30, 1944 bombards Taroa and Maloelap then screens for USS San Francisco and bombards Kwajalein for the U.S. landings and conducts anti-submarine patrols then departs for Pearl Harbor arriving February 15, 1944 and quickly departs for escort and patrol duties in the Marshall Islands. On March 30, 1944 joins the fast carrier force and screens for carrier plane strikes against Palau, Yap, Ulithi and Woleai. On April 6, 1944 arrives Majuro then departs a week later escorting a fast carrier task force carrier plane strikes against Wakde and Sawar in western New Guinea then strikes Caroline Islands then to Kwajalein arriving May 4, 1944. On May 10, 1944 patrols in the Marshall Islands and bombards Mille on May 26, 1944. On June 9, 1944 deploys her whaleboat to rescue survivors of a flying boat that was damaged by a shore battery. Two weeks later, rescued two downed Marine aviators off Mille. Afterwards, returns to the west coast for an overhaul then to Pearl Harbor for training. On December 15, 1944 assigned to escort duty off Ulithi until the end of the year then to San Pedro Bay off Leyte arriving January 6, 1945 and the next day departs escorting the invasion force bound for Lingayen Gulf. On January 9, 1945 supports the U.S. landings on Luzon and conducts gunfire support, patrol and escort duties Lingayen Gulf. On February 16, 1945 bombards Corregidor then to San Pedro Bay to resupply then supports operations in the Manila Bay area. During March 1945 covers the landings at Mindanao. During May 1945 conducts anti-submarine patrols in Lingayen Gulf and Subic Bay then back to San Pedro Bay. On May 13, 1945 departs San Pedro Bay bound for Morotai arriving two days later then supports the Allied landings at Brunei Bay and Balikpapan and escorts transports then returns to San Pedro Bay on July 29, 1945 for training. Afterwards, performs escort duty in the Philippines Sea and escorts convoys to Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War. Postwar Operates from Okinawa to Japan until November 3, 1945 then departs across the Pacific via the Panama Canal bound for Boston then to Charleston. On April 15, 1946 placed in reserve in Charleston. On July 1, 1971 struck from the register. Awards For her World War II service, earned twelve battle stars. Fate On October 6, 1972 sold for scrap and broken up. References With The Marines at Tarawa includes footage of USS Frazier approaching transports to deliver secret orders NavSource USS Frazier (DD-607) Contribute
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