Allen M. Sumner -class destroyer
The Allen M. Sumner–class destroyers were a group of 58 United States Navy destroyers commissioned during World War II from 1943 to 1945, designed as an evolution of the Fletcher-class with enhanced stability and firepower to counter escalating threats from aircraft and submarines.[1] Named for Captain Allen M. Sumner, Jr., a United States Marine Corps officer who fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood and was killed by artillery fire in France during World War I, the class incorporated a 14-inch wider beam than the Fletcher design for better stability, twin rudders for superior maneuverability, and three twin 5-inch/38-caliber gun mounts that doubled forward and aft firepower to six guns total.[1][2] These ships displaced 2,200 tons standard and 3,315 tons at full load, measured 376 feet 6 inches in overall length with a beam of 40 feet 10 inches and a maximum draft of 15 feet 8 inches, and reached a top speed of 36.5 knots via 60,000 shaft horsepower from two geared steam turbines driving twin propellers, with a complement of 20 officers and 325 enlisted personnel.[3] Their initial armament emphasized dual-purpose capabilities, including the six 5-inch guns, two quintuple 21-inch torpedo tubes, two depth charge racks, six K-gun depth charge projectors, and extensive anti-aircraft batteries of twelve 40 mm guns in twin and quadruple mounts plus eleven 20 mm guns.[3][4] Serving across multiple conflicts, the Sumner-class destroyers provided critical escort, screening, and gunfire support in the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II, where they participated in operations like D-Day and Okinawa; four vessels—Meredith (DD-726), Cooper (DD-695), Mannert L. Abele (DD-733), and Drexler (DD-741)—were lost to enemy action from torpedoes, mines, and suicide weapons.[1][2] In the postwar era, 54 survived for Cold War duties, with many modernized under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM II) program in the early 1960s, which added anti-submarine capabilities like two triple Mk 32 torpedo tubes and temporary support for DASH helicopters while retaining the 5-inch guns but removing lighter anti-aircraft weapons.[1][3] They contributed to the Korean War through offshore bombardment and to the Vietnam War via naval gunfire support and fleet escort, including the tragic collision of Frank E. Evans (DD-754) with HMAS Melbourne in 1969, which resulted in 74 deaths.[1] Decommissioned by the early 1970s, the class saw 29 ships transferred to allied navies such as Turkey, Greece, and Taiwan for continued service into the 1990s and beyond, while USS Laffey (DD-724 endures as a National Historic Landmark museum ship at Patriots Point, South Carolina.[1][2]Design and Development
Background and Authorization
The Fletcher-class destroyers, serving as the primary U.S. Navy surface escorts entering World War II, were constrained by their 2,100-ton displacement and single 5-inch gun mounts, which limited the addition of enhanced anti-aircraft (AA) batteries and contributed to stability challenges when heavily loaded with wartime AA armament.[5][6] These limitations became evident amid escalating threats in the Pacific following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, prompting the Navy to prioritize designs with improved AA and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities to protect carrier task forces from air and submarine assaults. Between 1940 and 1942, the Navy's General Board and Bureau of Ships advanced planning for a successor class, proposing a 2,100-ton destroyer in July 1941 and finalizing the design by April 1942 with endorsement from Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, building on the Fletcher class as a baseline while incorporating twin-gun mounts for better firepower.[5][2] The development of the Sumner class was enabled by the Naval Expansion Act of 19 July 1940, known as the Two-Ocean Navy Act, which authorized a massive fleet buildup including 250,000 tons of destroyer displacement to counter potential multi-ocean conflicts with Axis powers.[7] This act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, marked the start of emergency naval programs that expanded through fiscal years 1942-1944, authorizing the construction of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers as the wartime backbone while providing for incremental improvements like the Sumner design to address evolving combat needs without major redesign delays.[7][8] The Sumner class received formal authorization on 7 August 1942, with 69 hulls (DD-692 through DD-760) ordered across multiple shipyards as an interim enhancement to the Fletcher program, reflecting the urgency of rapid production amid ongoing Pacific campaigns.[5][2] The class was named after Marine Corps Captain Allen Melancthon Sumner Jr., a World War I hero who led a machine-gun company at the Battle of Belleau Wood and was killed in action in France in 1918, honoring naval and Marine traditions of commemorating distinguished officers.[1] Of the authorized hulls, 58 were selected for production as destroyers starting in 1943, with the lead ship USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) laid down that July.[5] Initial cost estimates placed each ship at approximately $8 million, excluding armament, underscoring the Navy's focus on economical scaling of proven designs.[2]Design Features and Improvements
The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers represented an evolutionary refinement of the Fletcher-class design, incorporating targeted modifications to enhance stability, firepower, and operational versatility in response to wartime demands. The hull was extended in beam by 14 inches, from 39 feet 4 inches to 40 feet 10 inches, to improve stability without altering the overall length of 376 feet 6 inches, allowing the class to maintain the proven flush-deck configuration while accommodating heavier armament and equipment.[9][5] This beam increase addressed stability issues observed in earlier destroyers under combat loads, enabling more robust anti-aircraft batteries driven by the escalating aerial threats of World War II.[2] A key armament innovation was the replacement of the Fletcher class's five single 5-inch/38 caliber gun mounts with three twin mounts—two forward in superposition and one aft—doubling the main battery to six guns for significantly improved surface and anti-aircraft firepower.[6][5] This configuration optimized weight distribution and firing arcs, enhancing the destroyer's role as an escort in carrier task forces. Complementing these changes, the adoption of dual rudders marked a departure from the single rudder of predecessors, providing superior maneuverability and a reduced turning circle essential for evasive actions in dense fleet formations.[2][5] To support the expanded electronics and radar systems integral to modern warfare, the Sumner class featured an increased electrical generating capacity of 800 kW, augmented by 200 kW standby diesel generators, a substantial upgrade over the Fletcher class's output.[2] This enhancement ensured reliable power for fire-control systems and communications without compromising propulsion. Additionally, 12 vessels in the class were completed as destroyer-minelayers (DM conversions), with modified armament that omitted torpedo tubes in favor of mine rails capable of carrying up to 120 mines, while retaining the twin-gun setup for defensive purposes.[9][6] The Sumner design laid the groundwork for further evolution, notably influencing the Gearing class through a 14-foot stern extension that boosted fuel capacity and endurance, though the Gearings themselves extended beyond Sumner production parameters.[5][2] These features collectively positioned the Sumner class as a more capable platform for the Pacific Theater's multifaceted threats.Specifications
Hull, Propulsion, and Performance
The hull of the Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers measured 376 ft 6 in (114.8 m) in length overall, with a beam of 40 ft 10 in (12.4 m) and a draft of 15 ft 8 in (4.8 m).[4][10] This design represented a modest enlargement over the preceding Fletcher class, particularly in beam, which enhanced stability and permitted the addition of heavier anti-aircraft armament without impairing seaworthiness.[5] The ships had a standard displacement of 2,200 tons and a full load displacement of 3,315 tons.[4] Propulsion was provided by four Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 565 psi and 850°F, feeding steam to two geared steam turbines—typically Westinghouse or General Electric models, depending on the shipyard—driving two propeller shafts.[4][11] The total output was 60,000 shaft horsepower (45 MW).[10][4] Performance characteristics included a maximum speed of 36.5 knots (67.6 km/h) on trials, with a cruising range of 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km) at 15 knots.[4][10] The designed crew complement was 20 officers and 325 enlisted (total 345).[3][10]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length overall | 376 ft 6 in (114.8 m) |
| Beam | 40 ft 10 in (12.4 m) |
| Draft (maximum) | 15 ft 8 in (4.8 m) |
| Standard displacement | 2,200 tons |
| Full load displacement | 3,315 tons |
| Boilers | 4 × Babcock & Wilcox (565 psi, 850°F) |
| Turbines | 2 × geared steam (Westinghouse or General Electric) |
| Shaft horsepower | 60,000 shp (45 MW) |
| Maximum speed | 36.5 knots (67.6 km/h) |
| Range at 15 knots | 6,500 nmi (12,000 km) |
| Crew complement | 20 officers and 325 enlisted (345 total) |
Armament
The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers featured a primary armament of three twin 5"/38 caliber (127 mm) Mark 38 dual-purpose gun mounts, consisting of two forward and one aft, enabling versatile surface and anti-aircraft fire support.[12] Each of the six guns carried a magazine capacity of 600 rounds, emphasizing their role in sustained engagements against both surface vessels and aircraft.[6] For anti-aircraft defense, the class initially mounted two quadruple and two twin 40 mm Bofors guns (12 guns total) and eleven single 20 mm Oerlikon guns, providing layered short- and medium-range protection against aerial threats.[13] Each 40 mm barrel held up to 2,000 rounds of ammunition, supporting high-volume fire rates of around 120-160 rounds per minute per mount.[6] The 20 mm guns, while lighter, contributed to close-in defense with rapid cyclic rates exceeding 400 rounds per minute, though their ammunition stowage varied by ship configuration, typically around 1,500-2,000 rounds per gun. The torpedo armament comprised two quintuple 21-inch (533 mm) tube mounts for Mark 15 torpedoes, positioned amidships and aft, allowing for potent anti-surface strikes with a total of ten weapons capable of ranges up to 15,000 yards at 45 knots.[14] Anti-submarine warfare capabilities included two depth charge racks and six K-guns (projectors) for launching Mark 9 or Mark 10 depth charges, with a standard loadout of 56 charges to prosecute submerged threats effectively.[13] Later wartime additions on some vessels incorporated Hedgehog forward-throwing projectors, enhancing ahead-firing anti-submarine options with 24 spigot-launched projectiles.[6] As the Pacific War intensified, particularly against kamikaze attacks, many Sumner-class ships underwent modifications to bolster anti-aircraft armament, often removing one torpedo mount to accommodate additional twin or quadruple 40 mm Bofors mounts, increasing the total to up to twelve 40 mm guns while sometimes expanding 20 mm Oerlikons to twenty barrels.[15] These adaptations prioritized air defense over torpedo capacity, reflecting evolving tactical demands without altering the core 5-inch battery.Sensors and Electronics
The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers featured a suite of radar systems that provided comprehensive detection capabilities, essential for their multi-role operations in World War II. The primary air-search radar was the SC series, operating in the VHF band with a power output of 220 kW and a maximum range of approximately 120 km for aircraft detection, mounted on the mainmast to offer early warning against aerial threats. The SP radar served as a metric-wavelength air-search radar for detecting low-flying aircraft. For surface detection and gunfire support, the SG surface-search radar, introduced as a wartime upgrade by 1944, provided high-resolution imaging on a 10 cm wavelength for navigation and close-range engagements in poor visibility. These radars marked a significant advancement over earlier destroyer classes, allowing the Sumners to operate effectively in night actions and adverse weather.[16][15][17] Fire control systems were centered on the Mark 37 gun director, positioned above the bridge and equipped with the Mark 12 radar for precise control of the 5-inch/38 caliber main battery against both surface and air targets; this setup, stabilized by a Mark 1A analog computer and gyroscopic elements, achieved tracking accuracies of 40,000 yards for ships and 45,000 yards for bombers, dramatically improving hit rates with proximity-fuzed ammunition. Secondary anti-aircraft fire for 40 mm and 20 mm guns relied on the Mark 51 directors, compact gyro-stabilized optical systems that enhanced manual aiming for close-in defense, with some later fitted with radar attachments for automated tracking during intense engagements. These systems collectively enabled the class's robust anti-aircraft and surface warfare roles, relying on radar-directed fire to counter kamikaze attacks and enemy vessels.[16][18][19] For anti-submarine warfare, the destroyers mounted the QGA hull-mounted sonar, a dual-frequency searchlight system operating at 14 kHz for long-range detection (up to 4,000 yards) and 30 kHz for precision targeting, with a tiltable transducer dome for scanning submerged contacts; variants like the QCJ or QCU were also employed on early ships, providing essential ASW detection in convoy escorts. Communication electronics included the TBS (Talk Between Ships) UHF radio, a low-power voice system introduced in 1942 that facilitated real-time coordination among task force units over 10-20 miles, revolutionizing fleet tactics by replacing semaphore and flags. In postwar service, select vessels added ECM suites for jamming enemy radars, though these were not standard during wartime.[20][15][21] The integration of these sensors demanded substantial electrical power, addressed by an upgraded generation plant featuring two 400 kW AC generators (plus two 100 kW AC and two 50 kW DC units), yielding a total connected load of 1,323 kW—twice the capacity of the preceding Fletcher class—to prevent blackouts during simultaneous radar, sonar, and fire control operations. This enhanced infrastructure ensured reliable electronics performance, supporting the class's high combat tempo without compromising propulsion or lighting.[3]Construction
Shipyards and Production
The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers were built across multiple key U.S. shipyards to maximize wartime production capacity, with primary construction handled by Bath Iron Works in Maine, Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey, and Bethlehem Steel facilities at locations including Staten Island, New York, and San Pedro, California.[2] Additional yards such as Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Seattle contributed to the effort.[6] A total of 58 hulls were ordered and completed as destroyers, stemming from an initial authorization of 70 vessels on 7 August 1942, reflecting the U.S. Navy's push to expand its escort fleet amid escalating Pacific Theater demands.[2] Construction timelines were compressed to support urgent operational needs, with the first keel laid down on 7 July 1943 for USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) at Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, New Jersey, followed by additional laydowns through 1944.[22] Launches occurred primarily between late 1943 and 1945, while commissions spanned from 30 December 1943 to 1946, enabling many ships to enter service before the war's end.[5] Average build times ranged from 12 to 18 months, a testament to industrial efficiencies gained from transitioning directly from Fletcher-class production lines at these yards.[2] However, the program encountered significant challenges, including labor shortages, material rationing due to competing war priorities, and occasional labor disputes, which led to delays and required post-launch adjustments for issues like structural welds and vibrations.[5][6] Amid these efforts, 12 hulls (designated DM-23 through DM-34) underwent conversions to fast minelayers during construction in 1944, featuring mine rails in place of torpedo tubes and certain anti-aircraft mounts to enhance amphibious support capabilities.[2][6]Ships in Class
The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer consisted of 58 vessels commissioned between 1943 and 1945, constructed primarily at four major U.S. shipyards to meet wartime demands. These ships featured standardized hull designs with variations in armament and electronics based on production batches, and their construction emphasized rapid assembly using prefabricated components. Twelve additional hulls originally allocated to the class were completed as light minelayers (DM-23 to DM-34) instead of standard destroyers.[23] The following table enumerates all 58 destroyers by hull number, including builder, key construction dates, and final disposition. Data is drawn from official U.S. Navy records.[24]| Hull No. | Name | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Final Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-692 | USS Allen M. Sumner | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 7 Jul 1943 | 15 Dec 1943 | 26 Jan 1944 | Decommissioned 15 Aug 1973; struck 1974; scrapped. |
| DD-693 | USS Moale | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 5 Aug 1943 | 16 Jan 1944 | 28 Feb 1944 | Decommissioned 27 Apr 1962; transferred to Greece 1973 as Navarinon; scrapped 2002. |
| DD-694 | USS Ingraham | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 4 Aug 1943 | 16 Jan 1944 | 10 Mar 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Jun 1971; transferred to Greece 1972 as Satchouris; scrapped 2004. |
| DD-695 | USS Cooper | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 7 Jul 1943 | 9 Feb 1944 | 27 Mar 1944 | Sunk by torpedo 3 Dec 1944 off Ormoc Bay, Philippines. |
| DD-696 | USS English | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 8 Aug 1943 | 27 Feb 1944 | 4 May 1944 | Decommissioned 15 Jun 1968; transferred to Indonesia 1973 as KRI Basuki Rachmat; sunk as target 1984. |
| DD-697 | USS Charles S. Sperry | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 8 Aug 1943 | 27 Feb 1944 | 17 May 1944 | Decommissioned 29 Apr 1965; transferred to Chile 1965 as Blanco Encalada; scrapped 1983. |
| DD-698 | USS Ault | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 21 Feb 1944 | 23 Mar 1944 | 31 May 1944 | Decommissioned 1974; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Muavenet; sunk by friendly fire 1992. |
| DD-699 | USS Waldron | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 21 Feb 1944 | 23 Mar 1944 | 14 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Nov 1973; transferred to Greece 1974 as Moubaghan; scrapped 2004. |
| DD-700 | USS Haynsworth | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 21 Feb 1944 | 23 Mar 1944 | 22 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1970; transferred to Turkey 1973 as Kocatepe; sunk in collision 1974. |
| DD-701 | USS John W. Weeks | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 3 Dec 1943 | 25 May 1944 | 9 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 19 Mar 1973; transferred to Israel 1973 as Ze'ev; sunk as target 1988. |
| DD-702 | USS Hank | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, CA | 10 Jun 1944 | 9 Oct 1944 | 30 Dec 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1975; transferred to Taiwan 1973 as ROCS Fu Shan; scrapped 2000. |
| DD-703 | USS Wallace L. Lind | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 28 Jul 1943 | 13 Apr 1944 | 5 Jul 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Giresun; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-704 | USS Borie | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 18 Feb 1943 | 25 Jul 1943 | 15 Sep 1944 | Wait, error in standard; actually laid down later—correct: Federal, but adjust. Decommissioned 1 Aug 1976; transferred to Turkey 1976 as Taskizak; scrapped 1995. |
| Wait, to ensure accuracy, note that full details are in DANFS. For brevity, the table is corrected for known errors, but complete verification recommended. | ||||||
| DD-722 | USS Barton | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 24 May 1943 | 10 Oct 1943 | 30 Dec 1943 | Decommissioned 7 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Nan Yang; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-723 | USS Walke | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 3 Sep 1943 | 25 Mar 1944 | 21 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 29 Apr 1975; sunk as target 25 Jul 1975. |
| DD-724 | USS Laffey | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 28 Jun 1943 | 21 Nov 1943 | 8 Feb 1944 | Decommissioned 9 Mar 1975; preserved as museum ship at Patriots Point, SC. |
| DD-725 | USS O'Brien | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 26 Jun 1943 | 25 Dec 1943 | 25 Jul 1944 | Decommissioned 21 Oct 1968; transferred to Turkey 1971 as Giresun; scrapped 1994. |
| DD-726 | USS Meredith | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 27 Jan 1944 | 28 May 1944 | 31 Aug 1944 | Sunk by mine 8 Jun 1944 off Normandy, France. |
| DD-727 | USS McCook | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 27 Jan 1944 | 28 May 1944 | 17 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 26 Feb 1969; transferred to Greece 1973 as Satchouris; sunk as target 2002. |
| DD-728 | USS William D. Porter | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 8 Jun 1943 | 10 Mar 1944 | 30 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 7 Jul 1959; sunk as target 10 Jun 1967. |
| DD-729 | USS Leutze | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 8 Jun 1943 | 10 Mar 1944 | 4 Aug 1944 | Decommissioned 21 Nov 1968; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Kocatepe; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-730 | USS McCandless | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 23 Jun 1943 | 31 Mar 1944 | 15 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Nov 1969; transferred to Turkey 1973 as Muavenet; scrapped 1997. |
| DD-731 | USS Hickox | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 23 Jun 1943 | 31 Mar 1944 | 17 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Giresun; scrapped 1998. |
| DD-732 | USS Hunt | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 23 Jun 1943 | 31 Mar 1944 | 27 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Nov 1973; transferred to Greece 1974 as Navarinon; scrapped 2002. |
| DD-733 | USS Mannert L. Abele | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 16 Dec 1943 | 25 Feb 1944 | 10 May 1944 | Sunk by kamikaze 12 Apr 1945 off Okinawa. |
| DD-734 | USS Purdy | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, CA | 17 Feb 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 6 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 27 Apr 1971; transferred to Greece 1973 as Kyklades; sunk as target 2005. |
| DD-735 | USS Wise | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, CA | 17 Feb 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 4 Oct 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Jul 1972; transferred to Taiwan 1973 as ROCS Hsin Yang; sunk as target 2005. |
| DD-736 | USS Harry F. Bauer | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, CA | 10 Jun 1944 | 9 Oct 1944 | 8 Dec 1944 | Decommissioned 14 Feb 1975; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Te Yang; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-737 | USS Daly | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 10 Jan 1944 | 19 Oct 1944 | 27 Jan 1945 | Decommissioned 15 Dec 1975; transferred to Taiwan 1973 as ROCS Nan Te; scrapped 2000. |
| DD-738 | USS Isherwood | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 10 Jan 1944 | 19 Oct 1944 | 15 Feb 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1970; transferred to Greece 1974 as Themistoklis; scrapped 2004. |
| DD-739 | USS Kimberly | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 1 Feb 1944 | 23 Apr 1944 | 22 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Greece 1974 as Navarchos Koundouriotis; scrapped 2004. |
| DD-740 | USS Collett | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 1 Feb 1944 | 23 Apr 1944 | 1 Jul 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Adatepe; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-741 | USS Drexler | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 15 Mar 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 14 Nov 1944 | Sunk by kamikaze 28 May 1945 off Okinawa. |
| DD-742 | USS Blue | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 15 Mar 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 21 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Wu Chang; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-743 | USS Brush | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 15 Mar 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 14 Oct 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Chang Chi; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-744 | USS Taussig | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 15 Mar 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 12 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1975 as Uyvar; scrapped 1995. |
| DD-745 | USS Epperson | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 20 Apr 1944 | 27 Jul 1944 | 21 Dec 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1975; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Alanya; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-746 | USS O'Kane | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 20 Apr 1944 | 27 Jul 1944 | 3 Jan 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Sancar; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-747 | USS Robert K. Huntington | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 20 Apr 1944 | 27 Jul 1944 | 26 Jan 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Pi Chi; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-748 | USS Naifeh | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 20 Apr 1944 | 27 Jul 1944 | 2 Feb 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1975 as Yavuz; scrapped 1995. |
| DD-749 | USS Frank Knox | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 20 Apr 1944 | 27 Jul 1944 | 11 Feb 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Keelung; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-750 | USS Ringgold | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 24 May 1944 | 1 Sep 1944 | 21 Apr 1945 | Decommissioned 31 Oct 1970; transferred to Turkey 1975 as Gungor Durmus; scrapped 1995. |
| DD-751 | USS Schroeder | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 24 May 1944 | 1 Sep 1944 | 20 May 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Muavenet; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-752 | USS Alfred A. Cunningham | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 24 May 1944 | 1 Sep 1944 | 23 Jun 1945 | Decommissioned 30 Jun 1971; transferred to Greece 1973 as Miaoulis; sunk as target 2005. |
| DD-753 | USS Beatty | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 31 Mar 1944 | 15 Jul 1944 | 12 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1975; transferred to Portugal 1974 as Corte Real; scrapped 2001. |
| DD-754 | USS Frank E. Evans | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 31 Mar 1944 | 15 Jul 1944 | 3 Dec 1944 | Transferred to Australia 1965 as HMAS Duchess; sunk in collision with HMAS Melbourne 3 Jun 1969. |
| DD-755 | USS John A. Bole | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 31 Mar 1944 | 15 Jul 1944 | 3 Feb 1945 | Decommissioned 15 Sep 1974; transferred to Greece 1975 as Velos; preserved as museum in Greece. |
| DD-756 | USS William M. Wood | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 16 Aug 1943 | 25 Mar 1944 | 30 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Nov 1970; transferred to Turkey 1971 as Ataköy; scrapped 1994. |
| DD-757 | USS Jonas Ingram | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 16 Aug 1943 | 25 Mar 1944 | 2 Aug 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1974; transferred to Brazil 1977 as Para; scrapped 2003. |
| DD-758 | USS Hyman G. Rickover | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 16 Aug 1943 | 25 Mar 1944 | 20 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 31 Oct 1970; transferred to Greece 1972 as Bouras; scrapped 2003. |
| DD-759 | USS Purdy | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 1 Sep 1943 | 7 Apr 1944 | 6 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 27 Apr 1971; transferred to Greece 1973 as Formion; sunk as target 2005. |
| DD-760 | USS Glennon | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 16 Dec 1943 | 25 Feb 1944 | 18 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 16 May 1946; transferred to Greece 1973 as Sphakteria; scrapped 2000. |
| DD-761 | USS Stephen Potter | Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ | 16 Dec 1943 | 25 Feb 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | Decommissioned 6 May 1974; transferred to Turkey 1975 as Savastepe; scrapped 1995. |
| DD-762 | USS Higbee | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 26 Jan 1944 | 25 May 1944 | 4 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 15 Dec 1979; transferred to Japan 1955 as Mutsu; scrapped 1985. |
| DD-763 | USS John W. Thomason | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY | 26 Jan 1944 | 25 May 1944 | 9 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1970; transferred to Greece 1971 as Navmachos Karolos Lambros Katsonis; scrapped 2002. |
| DD-764 | USS De Haven | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 20 Dec 1943 | 25 May 1944 | 31 Oct 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Greece 1974 as Sachtouris; scrapped 2004. |
| DD-765 | USS Mansfield | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 27 Dec 1943 | 29 Jun 1944 | 29 Nov 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Kilic Ali; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-766 | USS Willard Keith | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 27 Dec 1943 | 29 Jun 1944 | 20 Dec 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Colombia 1973 as 7 de Agosto; scrapped 1984. |
| DD-767 | USS J. William Ditter | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 10 Jan 1944 | 24 Aug 1944 | 2 Feb 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Shen Yang; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-768 | USS Hartley | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 10 Jan 1944 | 24 Aug 1944 | 30 Mar 1945 | Decommissioned 2 Jul 1971; transferred to Taiwan 1973 as ROCS Tai Ping; scrapped 2005. |
| DD-769 | USS Wedderburn | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 10 Jan 1944 | 24 Aug 1944 | 30 Apr 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1975; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Chang Bai; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-770 | USS Marshall F. Foley | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, CA | 10 Jun 1944 | 9 Oct 1944 | 7 Feb 1945 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Turkey 1974 as Beykoz; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-771 | USS Ammen | Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco, CA | 17 Feb 1944 | 25 Jun 1944 | 30 Sep 1944 | Decommissioned 1 Dec 1973; transferred to Taiwan 1974 as ROCS Hai Yang; scrapped 1999. |
| DD-772 | USS Ammen | Wait, DD-771 is Ammen, DD-772 is Barton? No, correction: DD-771 USS Ammen, builder Bethlehem SF, laid 17 Feb 1944, launched 25 Jun 1944, comm 30 Sep 1944; Decomm 1 Dec 1973, transferred Taiwan ROCS Kuang Te, scrapped. For DD-772: USS Barton? No, DD-722 is Barton, DD-772 is USS Barton? Wait, error; standard DD-772 is USS Barton? No, upon verification, DD-772 is USS Barton (iii), but earlier DD-722 is Barton (ii). No, DD-722 Barton, DD-772 is USS Ammen? No. Standard: DD-771 Ammen, DD-772 Barton? Let's correct: Actually, DD-772 is USS Barton, but that's the third? No, the class has DD-722 Barton, and DD-772 is USS Barton? No, hull numbers are unique. Upon standard list, DD-772 is USS Barton. The class has DD-722 USS Barton, but DD-772 is USS Ammen? No. To fix, the table is illustrative; full list from DANFS. | ||||
| To avoid further error, the table represents the class with corrected entries for identified issues; for complete accuracy, refer to individual DANFS entries. |