Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

USS Lewis DE-535

USN
John C. Butler
Class Destroyer

1,745 Tons
306' x 36' x 13"
2 x 5" guns
38 x 40mm
10 x 20mm
3 x torpedo tubes
1 x hedgehog
8 x K-gun
2 x depth charge racks

Ship History
Built by Boston Ship Yard, Boston, MA. Laid down November 3, 1943. Launched March 23 1944. Named USS Lewis (DE-535) in honor of Ensign Victor Allen Lewis.

Wartime History
In November 10, 1944, She departed via the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor where she joined the Pacific Fleet. During late December, conducted anti-submarine escort duty with a variety of convoys, including Task Group 50-8 during the Iwo Jima campaign. Afterwards, served as a radar picket duty off Okinawa screening against the Japanese Kamikaze aircraft.

Post War Service
During November 1945, departed Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the 9th Fleet until her decommissioning during May 1946. During the Korean War, pulled out of moth ball and patrolled off Korea and Guam then participated in "Project Nekton" conducting deep water research over the Marianias Trench. Decommissioned during May 1960.

Sinking History
During March 1966 towed off Mare Island and sunk as a target ship.

References
USS LEWIS DE 535 (retrieved March 11, 2004)

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Last Updated
August 4, 2020

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