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| USN Gleaves-class destroyer 1,620 Tons 348' 3" x 36' 1" x 11' 10" 4 x 5"/38 cal DP guns 4 x 40mm 5 x 20mm 5 x 21" torpedo tubes 6 x depth charges 2 x depth charge tracks  USN August 1944   USN September 5, 1945 |
Ship History Built by Charleston Navy Yard in Charleston, South Carolina. Laid down May 1, 1941 as a Gleaves-class destroyer. Launched December 20, 1941 as USS Tillman (DD-641) named for Benjamin Ryan Tillman (1847–1918), the second ship with the name, the first was USS Tillman (DD-135) sponsored by Mrs. Charles Sumner Moore. Commissioned June 4, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) and underwent a shakedown cruise off the east coast of the United States. Wartime History During September 1942 escorts convoys and participated in exercises off the east coast. On October 23, 1942 departs Chesapeake Bay escorting a convoy bound for Operation Torch. On November 7, 1942 during the Naval Battle of Casablanca off Fedhala (Mohammedia), Morocco and begins screening and engaged patrol vessel W-43 escorting six French merchant ships spotted by Tillman that engaged W-43 with her 5" guns that hit and caused an explosion and forced the patrol vessel to beach. Afterwards, Tillman captured three of the merchant ships. On November 10, 1942 engaged Vichy French destroyers to draw their fire. On November 12, 1942 departs th area escorting a convoy in heavy seas. On December 1, 1942 arrives New York. On February 8, 1943 in the early morning departs New York and was damaged by a paravane boom on a merchant ship and repaired. Afterwards, operated off the east coast performing escort duty and exercises then escorts convoys in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. PARTIAL HISTORY Postwar On September 5, 1945 at 11:25am at the entrance to Tamil Harbor off Yap a Japanese Daihatsu landing barge with the Japanese surrender party led by Col. Eto Daihachi, commander of the Japanese garrison on Yap and his staff surrendered aboard Tillman to Captain J. L. Wyatt, Atoll Commander Ulithi. Afterwards, the destroyer remains for several days. On September 14, 1945 at 2:20pm departs to patrol the north of Yap Atoll and the next day returns to Ulithi Anchorage and moored in the northern anchorage at berth 420. On September 25, 1945 departs for a day of tactical exercises then refuels from YO 146 then returns to berth 420. On September 28, 1945 departs for a day of tactical exercises then returns to the same berth until the end of the month. On November 3, 1945 departs via Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal to the east coast of the United States. On December 11, 1945 arrives Charleston for inactivation. On February 6, 1947 decommissioned. On June 1, 1970 struck from the Navy list. Fate On May 8, 1972 sold to Southern Scrap Material, New Orleans for $67,000 and broken up for scrap metal. Awards For her World War II service, Tillman earned three battle stars. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Tillman II (DD-641) NavSource - USS Tillman (DD-135) NARA USS Tillman War Diary September 1945 pages 1-2 (September 5, 1945) Contribute
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