Fletcher -class destroyer
The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of 175 destroyers built for the United States Navy during World War II, representing the largest and most successful class of destroyers produced by the U.S. during the conflict.[1] These ships were designed in 1939 to counter advanced Japanese destroyers like the Fubuki class, featuring a flush-deck hull for improved seaworthiness, rugged construction, and balanced capabilities in surface, antisubmarine, and antiaircraft warfare.[1] With a standard displacement of 2,050 tons (about 2,900 tons fully loaded), they measured 376.5 feet in length, achieved speeds up to 38 knots via 60,000 shaft horsepower steam turbines driving two propellers, and were the first U.S. destroyers built with radar as standard equipment.[2] Armed initially with five 5-inch/38-caliber dual-purpose guns in single mounts, ten 21-inch torpedo tubes in two quintuple mounts, and provisions for depth charges and antiaircraft guns (later enhanced with 40 mm and 20 mm weapons), the Fletcher class excelled in multi-role operations.[1] Construction began in 1941 across 11 shipyards, with the lead ship USS Fletcher (DD-445) commissioned on June 30, 1942, and the last completed in February 1945, averaging just 364 days per hull.[1] They formed the core of the Pacific Fleet's destroyer force, participating in key campaigns such as the Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands operations, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.[3] During World War II, 19 Fletcher-class ships were sunk in action and six damaged beyond repair, yet the class earned 44 instances of 10 or more battle stars, 19 Navy Unit Commendations, and 16 Presidential Unit Citations for valor.[1] Postwar, many served in the Korean War (e.g., the Inchon landings) and Vietnam War, with some modernized under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program for antisubmarine roles; 32 were transferred to allied navies, and the last retired in 2001.[3] Today, four examples are preserved as museum ships, including USS The Sullivans (DD-537) and USS Kidd (DD-661), highlighting their enduring legacy as versatile workhorses of the U.S. Navy.[1]Development and Design
Background and Requirements
In the 1930s, the United States Navy faced stringent limitations on destroyer construction imposed by the London Naval Treaty of 1930, which capped individual destroyer displacement at 1,500 tons standard and restricted the proportion of total fleet tonnage allocated to vessels exceeding that limit to no more than 16 percent.[4] These constraints, aimed at preventing an arms race among major naval powers, resulted in a series of compact designs like the Farragut class, which prioritized speed and basic anti-surface capabilities but offered limited endurance and versatility for emerging threats such as submarines and long-range fleet operations. The Second London Naval Treaty of 1936 extended these restrictions but failed to gain Japan's ratification, prompting the U.S. to anticipate escalation and begin planning for larger, more capable ships to meet the demands of potential Pacific conflicts.[4][5] The Fletcher-class design drew directly from the experiences of preceding Benson and Gleaves classes, which had introduced improvements in anti-submarine warfare through enhanced depth charge arrangements and better sonar integration, while addressing the shortcomings of earlier 1,500-ton vessels by increasing displacement to around 1,620-1,630 tons for greater stability and fuel capacity.[6] These classes emphasized higher speeds of up to 37 knots and extended ranges to support transoceanic escorts, but they still fell short in accommodating the expanding roles of destroyers in fleet screening, anti-aircraft defense, and multi-threat engagements amid rising global tensions. The Navy sought to build on this foundation by developing a more robust platform that could operate effectively in the vast Pacific theater, incorporating lessons from interwar exercises that highlighted the need for superior seaworthiness and operational flexibility.[7] Key design objectives for the Fletcher class centered on achieving a standard displacement of approximately 2,050 tons, a top speed of 38 knots, five 5-inch/38-caliber dual-purpose guns, and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes arranged in quintuple mounts to enable versatile performance in fleet escort, screening, and offensive operations.[4] This configuration represented a deliberate shift toward larger hulls unhindered by treaty limits, allowing for improved range exceeding 5,000 nautical miles and enhanced survivability through compartmentalization and damage control features. The class was authorized under the U.S. Navy's fiscal year 1941 building program, with initial contracts for 25 vessels approved in late June and early July 1940, reflecting the accelerating pre-war buildup; the first keel, for USS Fletcher (DD-445, was laid on October 2, 1941, just weeks before the Pearl Harbor attack.[8][9]Design Evolution
The design of the Fletcher-class destroyer was overseen by the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair, which merged with the Bureau of Engineering to form the Bureau of Ships in August 1940, continuing to lead the iterative process in collaboration with the General Board and private firms like Gibbs & Cox.[7][10] Preliminary sketches emerged in late 1939 as the General Board solicited input on desired characteristics, proposing initial concepts around 1,600 tons with four to five 5-inch guns and ten torpedo tubes, but these evolved through multiple schemes by January 1940 to address emerging wartime needs.[10][6] By mid-1941, the approved plans reflected intense debates among naval architects on stability, where the hull was widened by about 3 feet 5 inches compared to predecessors like the Sims class to counter top-heaviness from added armament and superstructure.[7] Compartmentation was enhanced through heavy bulkheading and 0.5-inch special treatment steel armor over vital areas such as machinery spaces and the pilothouse, prioritizing flood-proofing without internal fore-aft passages to simplify construction.[10] Machinery layout adopted a split-plant configuration—alternating firerooms and engine rooms—to improve survivability against torpedo or shell hits, drawing from lessons in European convoy battles.[6][8] The Bureau of Ships championed a flush-deck hull form, inspired by World War I designs, to enhance structural rigidity, free up deck space for mass production, and facilitate a compact arrangement of five 5-inch/38 caliber dual-purpose guns in single mounts, enabling rapid scaling to 175 hulls across multiple yards.[7][8] This choice traded some seakeeping performance for simplicity in wartime building, as the continuous deck reduced welding complexity and improved overall stability under combat loads.[10] Engineering trade-offs centered on balancing anti-aircraft capabilities with torpedo armament, initially equipping the class with limited AA guns like quad 1.1-inch mounts alongside two quintuple 21-inch torpedo tubes, but early war experiences from the Battle of the Atlantic prompted refinements such as enhanced depth charge provisions and radar integration to counter submarine threats without fully sacrificing offensive punch.[7][8] Captain Russell S. Crenshaw's input emphasized fleet screening roles, influencing the square open bridge redesign for better visibility and AA coordination, ensuring the final blueprint prioritized versatility for both surface and air defense in evolving Pacific operations.[10]Key Specifications
The Fletcher-class destroyer measured 376.5 feet in overall length with a beam of 39.5 feet.[7] Its standard displacement was 2,050 tons, increasing to approximately 2,900 tons at full load (wartime configuration).[7][8] The class employed a steam turbine propulsion system consisting of four Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 600 psi and 850°F, feeding two cross-compound geared steam turbines manufactured by either Westinghouse or General Electric.[7] These drove two propeller shafts at a total output of 60,000 shaft horsepower, achieving a designed top speed of 38 knots.[7] Endurance was rated at 5,500 nautical miles when cruising at 15 knots, supported by a fuel oil capacity of 492 tons.[11] In wartime configuration, the ships accommodated a crew of 273 officers and enlisted personnel.[12] Early design considerations weighed triple-expansion reciprocating engines against turbines but ultimately favored the latter for superior high-speed efficiency and reliability in combat operations.[13]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 376.5 ft (114.8 m) overall[7] |
| Beam | 39.5 ft (12.0 m)[7] |
| Standard Displacement | 2,050 tons[7] |
| Full Load Displacement | ~2,900 tons (wartime)[8] |
| Boilers | 4 × Babcock & Wilcox (600 psi, 850°F)[7] |
| Turbines | 2 × geared steam (Westinghouse or General Electric)[7] |
| Shaft Horsepower | 60,000 shp[7] |
| Top Speed | 38 knots (designed)[2] |
| Range | 5,500 nmi at 15 knots[7] |
| Fuel Capacity | 492 tons oil[11] |
| Crew (Wartime) | 273[12] |
Construction and Variants
Production Overview
The Fletcher-class destroyer production program represented a massive industrial effort by the United States during World War II, culminating in the completion and commissioning of 175 ships between 1942 and 1945 to form the backbone of the Navy's escort and screening forces. This output far exceeded initial plans, driven by escalating demands for naval power in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters following the entry into the war. The program's scale underscored the Navy's shift from prewar constraints to full wartime mobilization, prioritizing quantity without sacrificing the class's versatile design.[8][7] Production commenced with the lead ship, USS Fletcher (DD-445), commissioned on 30 June 1942 at the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey, and continued until the final vessel entered service on 22 February 1945. The timeline accelerated dramatically under emergency wartime initiatives, with peak output occurring in 1943 and 1944, when dozens of hulls were delivered annually to meet urgent operational needs. This surge aligned with broader naval expansion goals, enabling the deployment of Fletcher-class units across multiple task forces by mid-1943. The last ships were fitted out amid ongoing combat, reflecting the program's responsiveness to battlefield requirements.[14][8][7] To achieve these rates, the Navy implemented industrial mobilization strategies tied to the Two-Ocean Navy Act of 1940, which authorized unprecedented shipbuilding capacity. A key innovation was the adoption of modular construction techniques, involving the prefabrication of ship sections at multiple facilities for rapid assembly at primary yards, reducing complexity and labor bottlenecks. This approach, refined through iterative production lessons, shortened average build times from an initial 18 months to approximately 12 months per ship, with some vessels achieving keel-to-commission cycles as low as 364 days. Such efficiencies were critical for sustaining the flow of destroyers amid resource strains.[15][8][7] The economic aspect of the program highlighted wartime pragmatism, with an average cost of about $6 million per ship in 1940s dollars, balancing advanced capabilities against mass production imperatives. These figures encompassed materials, labor, and armament integration, yielding a cost-effective platform that proved invaluable in fleet operations. Overall, the Fletcher-class initiative exemplified how strategic planning and manufacturing adaptations transformed naval requirements into tangible combat strength.[16]Builders and Output
The Fletcher-class destroyers were constructed across 11 shipyards in the United States, with a total output of 175 ships completed between June 1942 and February 1945, representing the largest destroyer class built by any navy during World War II.[8] Production was distributed to maximize efficiency and meet wartime demands, with major contributors including the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey, which delivered 29 vessels; Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, responsible for 31 ships; and the Boston Navy Yard in Massachusetts, which completed 14. Other key yards encompassed the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Bethlehem Steel's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, and Bethlehem Steel's San Francisco yard, among several facilities that collectively handled the program's scale.[17][18] Construction faced significant hurdles amid the rapid expansion of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including acute labor shortages as employment surged from 168,000 workers in 1940 to over 1.5 million by peak wartime levels, necessitating on-the-job training for unskilled labor such as women and novices to fill roles. Material rationing constrained resources like steel and turbine components, prioritizing essential war needs and forcing adaptations in design and assembly. Strikes and high worker turnover—exceeding 10% monthly in some yards—stemmed from grueling conditions, long shifts, and inadequate housing, exacerbating delays despite government interventions to stabilize the workforce. To counter these issues, shipyards adopted innovations like prefabrication, where hull sections and components were assembled in advance off-site, drastically reducing build times; for instance, overall destroyer construction cycles shortened from over 500 days early in the war to under 200 days by 1943 at facilities like Bath Iron Works.[19][20] The program's conclusion aligned with the war's end, leading to the cancellation of 9 additional planned Fletcher-class ships in 1945 as military priorities shifted and surplus capacity emerged.[8]Variants and Modifications
The Fletcher-class design influenced subsequent U.S. Navy destroyer classes, particularly the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes, which built upon its proven hull form and capabilities while incorporating enhancements for evolving wartime needs. The Allen M. Sumner class, comprising 58 destroyers completed during World War II, represented a direct evolution by replacing the Fletcher's single 5-inch/38-caliber gun mounts with twin mounts—two forward and one aft—to improve anti-aircraft firepower and rate of fire without significantly altering the overall displacement or dimensions.[21] This modification addressed the growing emphasis on air defense as carrier operations expanded in the Pacific.[22] The Gearing class further refined the lineage, with 98 ships built by extending the hull by 14 feet (4.3 meters) amidships compared to the Sumner design, increasing overall length to 390 feet (119 meters) for better seakeeping, stability, and fuel endurance.[23] This longer hull proved advantageous for post-war modernizations, enabling more Gearings to undergo Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) upgrades than shorter-hulled predecessors.[24] During World War II, many Fletcher-class destroyers received incremental modifications to enhance survivability and combat effectiveness amid intensifying threats. By 1943, most units were fitted with the SG surface search radar, which provided superior detection ranges up to 20 miles for surface targets, revolutionizing night engagements and convoy protection in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.[25] Anti-aircraft armament saw progressive upgrades, including the replacement of early 1.1-inch guns with 40mm Bofors mounts; initial configurations added twin 40mm guns amidships, but by late 1944–1945, emergency refits for kamikaze defense substituted quad 40mm Bofors mounts for some twins, increasing firepower density while removing torpedo tubes or depth charge racks to accommodate the changes.[26] In the post-war era, the U.S. Navy's FRAM program aimed to extend the service life of World War II-era destroyers for Cold War anti-submarine warfare duties, though only a select few Fletchers qualified due to their shorter hulls and age. Three ships—USS Radford (DD-446), USS Jenkins (DD-447), and USS Nicholas (DD-449)—underwent FRAM II conversions at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard between 1959 and 1960, involving hull strengthening, removal of the aft 5-inch gun mount, and installation of an ASROC (Anti-Submarine ROCket) launcher forward, a hangar and deck for DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) operations, and upgraded sonar arrays like the SQS-4. These modest refits emphasized hunter-killer roles, adding variable-depth sonar and helicopter capabilities without the extensive missile integrations seen in longer-hulled classes. In contrast, related Sumner and Gearing classes received broader FRAM I upgrades in the 1960s, incorporating RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missiles on select units converted to guided-missile destroyers (DDG), alongside ASROC and DASH systems to counter Soviet submarine threats.[27]Armament and Electronics
Primary Armament
The primary armament of the Fletcher-class destroyers consisted of five 5-inch/38 caliber (127 mm) Mark 12 dual-purpose guns mounted singly in Mark 30 turrets, designated as mounts 51 through 55 from bow to stern.[28] These guns were designed for both surface and anti-aircraft roles, offering a rate of fire up to 20 rounds per minute per gun with power-rammed loading.[28] Their effective range reached approximately 15,000 yards against surface targets, enabling versatile engagement in anti-ship warfare and shore bombardment during amphibious operations.[28] Each gun was supplied with 600 rounds of ammunition stored in magazines below decks, including common, armor-piercing, and high-capacity shells to support prolonged engagements.[29] Complementing the guns, the destroyers carried ten 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes arranged in two trainable quintuple mounts amidships, firing the Mark 15 Mod 0 or Mod 3 torpedoes.[30] The Mark 15 torpedoes featured a wet-heater steam turbine propulsion system and a warhead of 494 to 823 pounds of explosive, depending on the modification.[30] They achieved a range of 4,500 yards at 45 knots, prioritizing speed for close-range fleet actions over extended reach.[30] No reload torpedoes were typically carried due to space constraints, limiting each mount to a single salvo of five weapons.[31] This armament configuration proved highly effective in surface warfare, as demonstrated by USS Fletcher (DD-445), which fired both guns and torpedoes during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942, contributing to the sinking of two Japanese destroyers.[14] The guns provided rapid, accurate fire support for shore bombardments, while the torpedoes delivered decisive strikes in night actions, underscoring the class's role as a potent escort and attack platform.[14]Secondary and Anti-Aircraft Weapons
The Fletcher-class destroyers were initially armed with one quadruple 1.1-inch/75 caliber anti-aircraft mount for close-range defense against aircraft, supplemented by machine guns for point protection. These 1.1-inch mounts, often called "Chicago Pianos," provided rapid fire but proved unreliable due to frequent overheating and jamming issues during early wartime operations.[32] As aerial threats intensified, particularly from Japanese aircraft in the Pacific, the anti-aircraft armament underwent significant upgrades starting in 1942. The 1.1-inch guns were progressively replaced by more effective Bofors 40 mm guns, with a typical mid-war configuration featuring ten 40 mm Bofors in two quadruple and one twin mounts, alongside seven single 20 mm Oerlikon cannons for last-ditch defense. Armament configurations varied by ship and refit date, with ongoing upgrades to address evolving threats. By 1944, many ships carried an enhanced setup of five quadruple 40 mm mounts and seven single 20 mm Oerlikons, prioritizing volume of fire to counter low-flying attackers.[26][7] For anti-submarine warfare, the initial loadout included two stern depth charge racks with a total capacity of approximately 24-26 depth charges, contributing to an overall loadout of around 56 depth charges, along with four K-gun projectors that hurled 300-pound charges up to 250 yards to either side, enabling a broader attack pattern against submerged threats. Later modifications added Hedgehog spigot mortars, a forward-firing system that launched 24 anti-submarine projectiles in a spread pattern ahead of the ship, improving detection and engagement without revealing the destroyer's position through trailing wakes. By 1944, this ASW suite was supported by sonar for submarine hunting, making Fletcher-class vessels versatile escorts in convoy and task force screens.[25] These secondary and anti-aircraft weapons proved essential in defensive roles, particularly as carrier escorts where Fletcher-class destroyers formed critical outer screens. For instance, during the Leyte Gulf campaign in late 1944, their 40 mm and 20 mm batteries downed multiple kamikaze aircraft threatening U.S. invasion forces and carriers, with ships like USS Hickox using concentrated fire to repel attacks on escort carriers during the Battle off Samar.[33]Sensors, Radar, and Fire Control
The Fletcher-class destroyers were initially equipped with the SC radar for air search and the SF radar for surface search upon commissioning in 1942, providing essential detection capabilities in the VHF and early microwave bands for identifying aircraft and surface targets at ranges up to approximately 20-70 miles depending on conditions.[7] By 1943, these systems underwent significant upgrades, replacing the SF with the more precise SG surface search radar operating in the S-band at 3 cm wavelength for improved resolution and resistance to jamming, and the SC with the SK air search radar, which offered enhanced altitude discrimination and detection ranges exceeding 100 miles for high-flying aircraft.[34] These radar advancements, driven by wartime necessities, allowed the destroyers to effectively integrate into carrier task forces for early warning and coordination.[35] Fire control systems on the Fletcher-class centered around the Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System, which directed the 5-inch/38-caliber guns using gyro-stabilized optical rangefinders and analog computers for predictive targeting against both surface and aerial threats, achieving accuracies within 0.225 degrees in bearing.[7] Later in the war, integration of the Mark 12 radar into the Mark 37 director provided radar-assisted blind fire control in UHF-band, enabling automatic tracking and engagement in low-visibility conditions, with ranges up to 20 nautical miles and pulse repetition rates supporting rapid updates.[36] This combination marked a pivotal evolution in destroyer gunnery, enhancing night and adverse-weather performance without requiring visual acquisition.[13] For anti-submarine warfare, the class featured the QCJ hull-mounted sonar as standard equipment, an active echo-ranging system operating at 15-20 kHz frequencies to detect submerged submarines at depths up to several hundred feet.[7] The QCJ's design emphasized reliability in convoy screening, feeding data directly to the ship's combat information center for depth charge and torpedo coordination.[37] Communications relied on the TBS (Talk Between Ships) radio system, a UHF voice network that facilitated real-time coordination among task force units over line-of-sight distances up to 20 miles, crucial for maneuvering in fleet actions.[35] Toward the war's end, electronic countermeasures including ECM jammers were added to counter Japanese radar-guided threats, providing noise jamming in select bands to degrade enemy targeting accuracy during kamikaze assaults.[7]World War II Service
Atlantic Operations
Fletcher-class destroyers began entering service in mid-1942, with several early-commissioned units rapidly deployed to the Atlantic for convoy escort duties and U-boat hunts amid the intensifying Battle of the Atlantic. These ships provided vital protection for merchant convoys crossing from the United States to Britain and the Mediterranean, screening against German wolfpacks that threatened to sever Allied supply lines. For instance, USS Strong (DD-467), commissioned in August 1942, conducted Atlantic convoy escorts before supporting the Operation Torch landings in North Africa in November 1942, where she screened bombardment forces and patrolled for submarines during the amphibious assault.[38] In anti-submarine warfare, Fletcher-class destroyers countered U-boat wolfpacks through coordinated tactics, including sonar detection followed by Hedgehog mortar attacks to deliver explosive projectiles ahead of the ship and patterned depth charge drops to bracket submerged targets. These methods, combined with improved radar for night engagements, helped turn the tide against German submarines by 1943 as Allied escorts became more effective in forcing U-boats to remain submerged and vulnerable.[7] Fletcher-class destroyers also participated in major amphibious operations in the Mediterranean theater. During the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) in July 1943, units of the class provided antisubmarine screening, gunfire support for landing forces, and protection against air attacks on the invasion fleet. Similarly, in the Salerno landings (Operation Avalanche) in September 1943, they escorted troop transports, engaged shore batteries, and defended against Luftwaffe raids, contributing to the establishment of the Allied beachhead on the Italian mainland despite fierce German counterattacks.[8] Several Fletcher-class destroyers operated in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II, performing hazardous duties without losses in those theaters.Pacific Theater Engagements
The Fletcher-class destroyers formed the core of the U.S. Navy's destroyer force in the Pacific Theater during World War II, with over 140 ships assigned to fast carrier task forces and amphibious operations, providing essential screening, anti-aircraft defense, and surface combat capabilities against Japanese naval forces. These 2,100-ton vessels, renowned for their speed, firepower, and versatility, participated in nearly every major offensive campaign from the Solomon Islands to the home islands, often operating in high-risk roles that highlighted their role in turning the tide of the war. Their contributions were pivotal in protecting carriers, supporting landings, and disrupting enemy supply lines, though they suffered significant losses to torpedoes, aircraft, and surface gunfire.[8] In the Guadalcanal campaign of 1942, early Fletcher-class destroyers entered combat during the intense night surface actions that characterized the Solomon Islands fighting. USS Fletcher (DD-445), the class lead ship, played a key role in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942, where she maneuvered through chaotic close-range fighting to launch torpedoes and 5-inch gunfire, contributing to the sinking of two Japanese destroyers and helping repel a major bombardment attempt on Allied forces ashore.[14] Just weeks later, during the Battle of Tassafaronga on November 30, Fletcher again engaged a superior Japanese destroyer force, firing a spread of torpedoes from an advantageous position that damaged multiple enemy ships and forced their withdrawal, despite heavy U.S. cruiser losses.[39] Other early arrivals like USS O'Bannon (DD-450) supported these actions by screening transports and conducting anti-submarine patrols, showcasing the class's radar-directed gunnery and torpedo effectiveness in low-visibility night battles. As the Central Pacific offensive advanced, Fletcher-class destroyers provided critical escort duties for carrier strikes, notably during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944. Ships such as USS Fletcher screened USS Enterprise (CV-6) and other fast carriers of Task Force 58, forming outer rings of anti-aircraft protection that helped decimate Japanese naval aviation in the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," downing over 300 enemy aircraft with minimal carrier damage. The class's role escalated dramatically at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, where USS Johnston (DD-557) exemplified their aggressive spirit in the Battle off Samar. Operating with Escort Carrier Task Unit 77.4.3 ("Taffy 3"), Johnston charged a vastly superior Japanese surface group including battleships and cruisers, launching torpedoes that crippled the heavy cruiser Kumano and scoring gun hits on multiple targets before being sunk after sustaining over 200 shell impacts; her actions, alongside those of sister ship USS Hoel (DD-533), delayed the enemy long enough for the carriers to escape, earning the Presidential Unit Citation.[40] Fletcher-class destroyers also supported amphibious assaults in the final push toward Japan, delivering pre-invasion bombardments and radar picket patrols amid escalating kamikaze threats. At Iwo Jima in February 1945, vessels like USS Bryant (DD-665) and others from Destroyer Squadron 48 provided close fire support against fortified positions, suppressing enemy artillery and beach defenses during the initial landings that secured airfields vital for B-29 operations.[41] The Battle of Okinawa in April–June 1945 proved particularly grueling, with Fletcher-class ships on exposed picket stations bearing the brunt of Japanese suicide attacks. USS Van Valkenburgh (DD-656) endured 17 separate air assaults, shooting down multiple planes and rescuing downed pilots while avoiding catastrophic hits, demonstrating the class's resilience under prolonged combat stress.[42] Tragically, USS Twiggs (DD-591) was lost on June 16, 1945, when a kamikaze struck her amidships, causing a massive explosion that sank her with heavy casualties, underscoring the high cost of their defensive role in the campaign that preceded Japan's surrender.[43]Losses and Casualties
During World War II, 19 Fletcher-class destroyers were sunk, representing a significant portion of the class's 175 commissioned ships, with all losses occurring in the Pacific Theater. Of these, 18 were sunk in combat, including attacks by Japanese aircraft, surface vessels, kamikazes, and mines, while one resulted from an accident during Typhoon Cobra. Additionally, six were damaged beyond repair and declared constructive total losses, primarily from kamikaze strikes off Okinawa in 1945.[7][8] Notable incidents highlighted the class's exposure to intense combat. In the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, during the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, USS Hoel (DD-533) and USS Johnston (DD-557) were overwhelmed by Japanese battleships and cruisers, sinking after inflicting heavy damage on superior foes in a desperate defense of U.S. carriers. Earlier, in the Solomon Islands campaign, USS De Haven (DD-469) was sunk by Japanese aircraft on February 1, 1943, near Savo Island, marking one of the class's initial losses. Typhoon Cobra in December 1944 claimed USS Spence (DD-512) when the ship capsized due to heavy seas and insufficient ballast, while three other Fletchers—USS Hickox (DD-673), USS Hunt (DD-674), and USS Lamberton (DD-680)—suffered severe damage but were not lost. Other losses included USS Halligan (DD-684) to a mine off Okinawa on March 26, 1945, and USS Longshaw (DD-559) scuttled after grounding on May 18, 1945.[7][44] Casualties across the class exceeded 1,500 killed in action, reflecting the ferocity of engagements, particularly against kamikaze attacks. For instance, USS Spence suffered over 300 fatalities, with only 24 survivors from her crew of 327, due to the typhoon's overwhelming conditions. Similarly, USS Johnston lost 186 men in her heroic stand at Samar, and USS Hoel endured 252 deaths amid relentless shelling. These tolls underscore the human cost, with many ships operating short-handed after prior damages.[7] While most losses were irrecoverable, several heavily damaged Fletcher-class ships were salvaged and repaired, allowing them to return to service. Examples include USS Fletcher (DD-445), which survived multiple bomb hits and collisions, and USS O'Bannon (DD-450), restored after torpedo damage in the Solomons. USS Cassin Young (DD-793) was damaged by a kamikaze off Okinawa but repaired and decommissioned postwar. However, others like USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) succumbed to kamikaze damage on April 6, 1945. Such recoveries demonstrated the class's robust design, though they could not prevent the relentless attrition faced by the fleet.[7]Post-War Operations
Korean War Role
During the Korean War, 76 Fletcher-class destroyers were reactivated from reserve and refitted for service with the U.S. Seventh Fleet, primarily providing escort duties for carrier task forces and conducting shore bombardments along the Korean coast.[45] These ships rotated through deployments in the Western Pacific, often assigned to Task Force 77 for carrier screening and anti-submarine patrols in the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan. For instance, USS Kidd (DD-661) recommissioned in March 1951 and joined Task Force 77 in July, supporting air operations off Korea until early 1953. Similarly, USS Fletcher (DD-445), the lead ship of the class, recommissioned in October 1949 and participated in patrols near the Korean Peninsula starting in May 1950, earning five battle stars for her contributions.[14] Fletcher-class destroyers played key roles in major amphibious operations and blockades, including the Inchon landings in September 1950, where they provided close gunfire support and anti-aircraft cover for invading UN forces. USS Fletcher vectored carrier aircraft to engage North Korean targets during the initial assault, helping to neutralize coastal defenses amid challenging tidal conditions.[46] In the prolonged Wonsan Harbor blockade starting in October 1950, ships like USS Taylor (DDE-468) conducted sweeps against enemy mines and shore batteries, enduring intense counterfire while suppressing North Korean supply lines; the operation lasted over 800 days and highlighted the class's endurance in sustained naval gunfire support. These actions focused on interdicting rail lines, troop movements, and coastal fortifications, with Fletchers delivering precise 5-inch gunfire to aid ground advances. Prior to and during deployments, many Fletcher-class ships underwent modifications under the SCB 74A program to enhance their capabilities for the conflict's demands, including the addition of radar-directed 3-inch/50-caliber anti-aircraft guns to replace some 40mm mounts and upgrades to the Mark 37 fire-control radar for improved night and low-visibility operations.[47] Some were converted to escort destroyer (DDE) configurations, reducing torpedo tubes and one 5-inch gun mount to accommodate anti-submarine weapons like the Hedgehog mortar and Weapon Alpha rocket launcher, better suiting them for carrier protection against potential submarine threats. Casualties among Fletcher-class destroyers in the Korean War were minimal, with no ships lost to enemy action; the class suffered only minor damage from shore fire and mines, such as incidental hull stress during intense bombardments, but all returned to service without major incidents.[8] This low loss rate reflected the ships' robust design and the relatively limited naval engagements compared to World War II, allowing the Fletchers to complete their rotations effectively.[48]Cold War and Vietnam Service
Following the Korean War, numerous Fletcher-class destroyers were placed in the Navy's Mothball Fleet reserve to extend their utility amid escalating Cold War tensions, with over 100 ships remaining available for reactivation through the 1960s as the U.S. Navy prioritized anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities against Soviet submarine threats in the Atlantic and Pacific.[49] A select few underwent Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) II conversions in the late 1950s and early 1960s, which emphasized ASW enhancements including the installation of the SQS-4 sonar system for submarine detection, along with updated radar and ASW weaponry to hunt Soviet submarines; notable examples include USS Jenkins (DD/DDE-447), USS Nicholas (DD/DDE-449), and USS Radford (DD/DDE-446).[50] These modernized vessels conducted routine ASW patrols and exercises, contributing to the Navy's forward presence in contested waters.[27] Many reserve Fletchers were rapidly recommissioned during crises, such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when ships like USS Kidd (DD-661), USS Abbot (DD-629), and USS Saufley (DD/DDE-465) were pulled from mothballs to join the quarantine blockade of Cuba, performing screening and ASW duties alongside newer escorts.[51] In the Vietnam War era, surviving active and reactivated Fletchers shifted to multi-role operations, including naval gunfire support along the Vietnamese coast; for instance, USS Uhlmann (DD-687) provided shore bombardment for operations off Vietnam in 1965 and 1968, earning five battle stars for her contributions. Similarly, USS Nicholas supported amphibious operations in Operation Deckhouse V in 1966, patrolling the Mekong Delta and DMZ while delivering gunfire support to ground troops.[7] By the late 1960s, the class's obsolescence relative to newer designs led to phased retirements, though they remained vital for secondary duties; USS Uhlmann (DD-687) was the last Fletcher-class destroyer decommissioned by the U.S. Navy on 15 July 1972, marking the end of over 30 years of active service for the type in American waters.[8]Decommissioning Timeline
Following World War II, the majority of surviving Fletcher-class destroyers were decommissioned between late 1945 and 1947 and placed into the U.S. Navy's reserve fleet, reflecting the postwar demobilization and reduction in fleet size. For instance, USS Fletcher (DD-445 was decommissioned and placed in reserve at San Diego on 15 January 1947 after brief postwar operations. Similarly, over 150 ships of the class entered reserve status during this period, berthed at facilities like San Diego and Charleston to maintain readiness while the Navy shifted focus to peacetime operations.[14][45] The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 prompted the reactivation of approximately 76 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1950 and 1953 to bolster the fleet for combat operations, with many recommissioned after modernization efforts including anti-submarine enhancements. Examples include USS Owen (DD-536), recommissioned on 17 August 1951, and USS Wadleigh (DD-689), recommissioned on 3 October 1951. These reactivations extended their service, but following the armistice in 1953, permanent decommissioning accelerated after 1955 as the Navy prioritized newer destroyer designs like the Forrest Sherman class. By the late 1950s, dozens had been retired, with ships such as USS Daly (DD-519) decommissioned in 1960.[45][52] In the 1960s, only three Fletcher-class ships—USS Radford (DD-446), USS Nicholas (DD-449), and USS Jenkins (DD-447)—received Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) II upgrades in 1960–1962 for improved anti-submarine capabilities, extending their operational life further during the Vietnam War era until the late 1960s and early 1970s. Decommissions in this wave included USS Fletcher on 1 August 1969 and USS Uhlmann (DD-687) on 15 July 1972, marking the end of active U.S. Navy service for the class. USS Cassin Young (DD-793) was the last stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 December 1974. By 1971, approximately 150 Fletcher-class destroyers had been decommissioned from U.S. Navy service.[8][3] The primary factors driving decommissioning were technological obsolescence in the face of guided missile threats and jet aircraft, rendering the World War II-era gun-and-torpedo armament inadequate, alongside escalating maintenance costs for aging hulls and machinery that exceeded the value of further upgrades. These pressures, combined with the introduction of specialized missile destroyers like the Charles F. Adams class, led to the class's full retirement from active U.S. duty.[53][8]International Service
Transfers to Allied Navies
Following World War II, the United States initiated transfers of Fletcher-class destroyers to allied navies as part of efforts to strengthen collective defense during the early Cold War period. These transfers primarily occurred through the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), established in 1949, which facilitated the provision of surplus military equipment to partner nations from the late 1950s through the 1960s. Ships were typically drawn from the U.S. Navy's reserve fleet after decommissioning, allowing recipients to acquire capable warships at low or no cost while the U.S. reduced its inventory of aging vessels.[16][7] A total of 32 Fletcher-class destroyers were transferred to 14 navies, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey, enhancing their anti-submarine and escort capabilities. The process began in 1957 with transfers to Spain, where six ships, including the USS Capps renamed Lepanto (D21), were loaned under MDAP agreements to modernize the Spanish fleet. Greece received its initial batch starting in 1959, exemplified by the USS Charrette, which was renamed Velos (D16) and served until 1991; overall, Greece acquired six vessels in this manner. Other key recipients included Italy, which obtained three ships in the late 1960s such as the USS Taylor renamed Fante (D563), and Japan, which received two post-rearmament in 1959 as the Ariake-class (Ariake and Michishio) to rebuild its maritime forces.[8][7] Prior to transfer, many destroyers underwent partial demilitarization, with advanced U.S. electronics, radar systems, and fire-control equipment often removed to protect sensitive technology and comply with export restrictions. This ensured the ships remained effective for general duties like convoy protection but limited their access to cutting-edge U.S. innovations. These transfers, coordinated alongside U.S. Navy decommissioning efforts, extended the operational life of the Fletchers into the 1970s and beyond in foreign fleets.[8][7]Foreign Modifications and Use
The Hellenic Navy acquired six Fletcher-class destroyers through U.S. military aid programs, adapting them for Cold War operations with upgrades including the addition of 76 mm OTO-Melara guns to enhance anti-surface and anti-air capabilities.[54] These ships played a role in the 1974 Cyprus crisis, where they were deployed to the eastern Mediterranean amid the Turkish invasion, providing escort and patrol duties despite NATO-imposed limitations on direct engagement between alliance members.[54] The vessels remained in service for decades, with the last retiring in 2002 after extensive use in regional deterrence and training roles.[54] The Brazilian Navy received Fletcher-class ships, designated as the Para class (seven vessels), and refitted them with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare, including the installation of Brazilian-developed sonar systems such as the SQS-29 or SQS-32 variants for improved underwater detection.[55] In 1982, these destroyers contributed to indirect support during the Falklands War by participating in regional surveillance and logistics operations aligned with Brazil's neutral stance.[55] Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force operated two Fletcher-class destroyers as the Ariake class, primarily repurposed for training roles to build naval expertise in escort tactics and ASW drills following their 1959 transfer.[56] These ships supported practical exercises until decommissioning in the 1970s, after which they were scrapped.[56]Retirement in Other Fleets
Fletcher-class destroyers serving in foreign navies were retired progressively from the 1970s onward, as recipient nations modernized their fleets with newer destroyer and frigate designs. Decommissions typically occurred between the mid-1970s and early 1990s for most operators, after which the vessels were either placed in reserve, cannibalized for parts, or directly sent for scrapping. This phase marked the end of active service for these World War II-era ships, which had been extensively refitted under programs like FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) to extend their utility into the Cold War period.[8] In the Hellenic Navy, which received six Fletcher-class destroyers between 1959 and 1962, retirements spanned the late 1980s to early 1990s. For instance, HS Navarinon (ex-USS Barton, DD-599) was the last decommissioned on 31 October 1991, after nearly 30 years of service primarily in escort and training roles. Similarly, HS Velos (ex-USS Charrette, DD-581) was decommissioned on 26 February 1991 and subsequently preserved as a museum ship in Athens, serving as a notable exception to the class's widespread disposal. Most of the Greek Fletchers were stricken shortly after decommissioning and either scrapped locally or sold abroad for breaking.[57][58] The Colombian Navy operated two transferred Fletchers from 1965, redesignated for coastal defense and anti-submarine duties (not to be confused with the later Almirante Padilla-class frigates). These vessels were retired relatively early due to maintenance challenges and the acquisition of newer escorts; ARC Antioquia (ex-USS Hale, DD-642) was stricken in 1973 and scrapped soon after. The other followed suit by late 1973, with hulls dismantled domestically.[59][60] Turkey received four Fletcher-class destroyers in the 1970s, which served briefly before being decommissioned in 1981 owing to obsolescence. Both were promptly stricken and sent to scrappers, contributing to the pattern of post-1970s disposals seen across allied fleets. Turkish breaking yards, particularly in Aliaga, handled much of the scrapping for Turkish and other nations' Fletchers during the 1990s, including vessels from Greece and Spain that were sold for demolition after reserve storage. For example, former Greek HS Satchouris (ex-USS Schley, DD-676) was broken up in Turkey around 1993.[60][57] Of the 32 Fletcher-class destroyers transferred to foreign navies, the vast majority were ultimately scrapped between the 1970s and early 2000s, reflecting their exhaustion after decades of intensive use. Preservation efforts were limited, with only four examples worldwide transferred to museums: three in the United States and one in Greece. The last active Fletcher in any foreign fleet was Mexico's ARM Cuitláhuac (ex-USS John Rodgers, DD-574), decommissioned in 2001 before being scrapped in 2010–2011.[8]Legacy and Preservation
Surviving Examples
As of November 2025, four intact hulls of the Fletcher-class destroyers remain in existence, all preserved as museum ships.[61]| Ship Name | Hull Number | Location | Commissioning and Decommissioning | Current Condition and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USS The Sullivans | DD-537 | Buffalo Naval & Military Park, Buffalo, New York, USA | Commissioned September 1943; decommissioned 1965 | Undergoing preservation restoration at Buffalo; major drydocking delayed to fall 2026 due to funding and logistical issues.[62] [63] |
| USS Cassin Young | DD-793 | Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston National Historical Park, Boston, Massachusetts, USA | Commissioned December 1943; decommissioned 1960; preserved as museum ship since 1978 | Fully operational as a museum ship, open seasonally for tours; designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and represents Fletcher-class vessels built at the Boston Navy Yard.[61] [64] |
| USS Kidd | DD-661 | USS Kidd Veterans Museum, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA (temporarily at Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors shipyard, Houma, Louisiana) | Commissioned April 1945 (one of the last Fletcher-class destroyers commissioned by the US Navy); decommissioned 1964; preserved as museum ship since 1982 | WWII and Korean War veteran; completed major overhaul and exited drydock on November 11, 2025; undergoing final preparations for public access, with return to Baton Rouge expected in spring 2026 due to river conditions; maintained in World War II-era camouflage configuration.[65] [66] [67] |
| HS Velos (ex-USS Charrette) | DD-581 | Thessaloniki Port, Thessaloniki, Greece | Commissioned May 18, 1943; transferred to Hellenic Navy in 1959 as HS Velos (D-16); decommissioned February 26, 1991 | Operational as a museum ship since 2002, open to visitors for self-guided tours of decks and interiors; notable for its role in the 1973 Greek Navy mutiny against the military junta.[68] [69] [70] |
Museum Ships and Memorials
Several preserved artifacts from Fletcher-class destroyers are displayed in naval museums, providing tangible links to their World War II service. For instance, a brass memorial plaque commemorating the officers and sailors lost aboard USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649) during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 25, 1944, is held by the Naval History and Heritage Command.[71] This artifact honors the 19 crew members killed when the ship was struck by friendly fire amid intense combat. Similarly, components such as nameplates and fittings from USS Fletcher (DD-445), the lead ship of the class, are exhibited at the National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C., illustrating the destroyer's role in early Pacific operations. Memorials dedicated to Fletcher-class ships emphasize the sacrifices of their crews in key battles. At Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California, a granite monument commemorates the 141 sailors lost aboard USS Johnston (DD-557 during the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, alongside those from USS Hoel (DD-533 and USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413.[72] Erected in 1995, the structure bears inscriptions like "We Won't Forget" and serves as a solemn tribute to the "small boys" of Task Unit 77.4.3 (Taffy 3). In the Solomon Islands, the Guadalcanal American Memorial on Skyline Drive honors participants in the Guadalcanal Campaign (August 1942–February 1943), including crews of lost Fletchers such as USS DeHaven (DD-469), sunk by Japanese aircraft on February 1, 1943.[73] The site's pylon and walls list battle maps and casualty figures, contextualizing the destroyers' contributions to the Allied victory. Partial hulls and wrecks of Fletcher-class ships remain as underwater memorials in Pacific battlegrounds. The wreck of USS DeHaven lies in Iron Bottom Sound off Guadalcanal, fragmented after bomb and torpedo hits that claimed 167 lives; its bow and stern sections, along with intact artifacts like the ship's bell and Mark 15 torpedoes, were surveyed in high resolution during a 2025 expedition by the research vessel Nautilus.[74] During the July 2025 Nautilus expedition, high-resolution images revealed the intact ship's bell and Mark 15 torpedoes on the wreck, supporting non-invasive documentation of war graves.[75] This site, designated a war grave, preserves the destroyer's 5-inch gun mounts and superstructure remnants, offering insights into the hazards of escort duties. Similarly, the deep-sea wreck of USS Johnston, discovered in 2019 at over 20,000 feet in the Philippine Sea, includes portions of its hull and 5-inch/38 caliber guns, upright and largely intact despite the battle damage that sank it.[76] As of 2025, no additional Fletcher-class hulls have been recovered for preservation, but ongoing efforts focus on documenting wrecks and restoring artifacts from existing museum ships. The 2025 Nautilus expedition recovered non-invasive images of USS DeHaven's bell, aiding educational outreach while respecting its status as a sacred site.[75] These initiatives ensure that fragmented remnants continue to educate on the class's legacy without disturbing gravesites.Cultural Impact
The Fletcher-class destroyers have been prominently portrayed in media, capturing their pivotal role in World War II naval warfare. The 2020 film Greyhound, starring Tom Hanks, centers on the fictional USS Keeling, a Fletcher-class destroyer with the callsign "Greyhound," as it leads a convoy escort against German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. The production utilized the preserved USS Kidd as a stand-in vessel, which earned the temporary nickname "Greyhound" during filming. In video games, the class appears in World of Warships as a premium Tier VIII destroyer, enabling players to simulate its 5-inch guns, torpedoes, and anti-submarine capabilities in historical scenarios. The naming conventions of the Fletcher-class paid tribute to American naval heroes from World War II, establishing a tradition that influenced subsequent destroyer classes. Ships like USS Kidd were named for Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd Sr., killed at Pearl Harbor, while USS Bennion honored Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, commander of USS West Virginia during the same attack. This practice of commemorating valor continued in later U.S. Navy destroyers, reinforcing the cultural association of the class with heroism and sacrifice. The term "Greyhound" emerged as a broader nickname for fast, agile destroyers like the Fletchers, evoking their speed and wolfpack-hunting prowess in popular lore. As a symbol of U.S. industrial capacity, the Fletcher-class represented the nation's rapid wartime mobilization, with 175 vessels constructed between 1942 and 1944 across multiple shipyards. This mass production underscored America's ability to outpace Axis naval threats through sheer volume and efficiency, a theme echoed in historical analyses of the war effort. In contemporary recognition, the class features in 2025 commemorations tied to World War II's 80th anniversaries, including preservation milestones. The USS Kidd, the only Fletcher preserved in its original World War II configuration, completed a major drydock overhaul in 2025 and returned to the water on Veterans Day, November 11, ensuring its role as an educational museum ship for future generations. Books such as USS Kidd (DD-661): From WWII and Korea to Museum Ship by David Doyle further document the class's enduring legacy through detailed accounts of service and restoration efforts.Ships in Class
Naming Conventions
The Fletcher-class destroyers adhered to the United States Navy's longstanding convention for naming destroyers, which emphasized honoring prominent figures from naval history, particularly heroes from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including many Medal of Honor recipients.[77] This thematic consistency reflected the Navy's tradition of commemorating individuals who demonstrated exceptional valor or leadership in combat, avoiding names tied to geographical locations, states, or cities—conventions reserved for battleships, cruisers, and other vessel types.[78] The class's names thus evoked a legacy of American maritime service, reinforcing esprit de corps among crews during World War II.[77] The lead ship, USS Fletcher (DD-445), set the tone by being named for Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, a Medal of Honor recipient for his command of the landing at Veracruz, Mexico, in 1914, where he led forces under fire to secure the oil port.[3] Subsequent vessels followed suit, drawing from a pool of esteemed naval figures; for instance, USS Cassin Young (DD-793) honored Captain Cassin Young, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his leadership aboard USS Vestal during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, where he remained at his post despite severe wounds.[79] Similarly, USS William D. Porter (DD-579) was named for Commodore William D. Porter, a key figure in 19th-century naval operations during the Civil War era, exemplifying the class's focus on lineage from earlier conflicts.[80] One notable exception within the class was USS Stevens (DD-479), named not for a modern naval hero but for Rear Admiral Thomas Holdup Stevens (1795–1841), whose surname was adopted in 1815 from Revolutionary War General Thomas Stevens via a legislative act in South Carolina, linking the ship to early American independence struggles rather than the typical 19th- or 20th-century naval precedents.[81] This choice highlighted occasional flexibility in the convention to include foundational figures from the nation's formative wars, though it remained aligned with the hero-centric theme.[78] Hull numbers for the Fletcher class spanned DD-445 to DD-691 and DD-792 to DD-804, assigned sequentially where possible but with gaps to accommodate overlapping production of related classes, such as the Allen M. Sumner (starting at DD-692) and Gearing classes, ensuring orderly fleet identification amid wartime expansion.[82] In the post-war period, the U.S. Navy undertook no significant renamings of Fletcher-class ships during their reserve or reactivation service, preserving their original designations to maintain historical continuity.[8] Upon transfers to allied navies under programs like the Mutual Defense Assistance Act, most vessels received new names reflecting the recipient nation's language or heritage, but some retained their American designations, especially those relegated to non-operational roles such as parts hulks or training platforms.[83]Complete List by Hull Number
The Fletcher-class destroyers, numbering 175 in total, were primarily organized into destroyer divisions (DesDiv) numbered 9 through 20 during World War II, with each division typically consisting of 4 to 6 ships for operational purposes. The following is the complete list organized by hull number, including the ship's name, builder, commissioning and decommissioning dates (where applicable), and fate or status as of 2025. Losses during WWII are noted, as are transfers, preservations (cross-referenced to the Surviving Examples section), and other dispositions. All ships were decommissioned by the U.S. Navy by 1971 unless otherwise noted; no new transfers or preservations have occurred since 2001. Data is compiled from official naval records.[8][60]DesDiv 9 (DD-445 to DD-450)
| Hull Number | Name | Builder | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-445 | USS Fletcher | Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, NJ | 30 Jun 1942 | 1 Aug 1969 | Sold for scrap, 22 Feb 1972[60] |
| DD-446 | USS Radford | Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, NJ | 22 Jul 1942 | 10 Nov 1969 | Sold for scrap, 1 Oct 1970[60] |
| DD-447 | USS Jenkins | Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, NJ | 31 Jul 1942 | 2 Jul 1969 | Sold for scrap, 17 Feb 1971[60] |
| DD-448 | USS La Vallette | Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, NJ | 12 Aug 1942 | 16 Apr 1946 | Sold to Peruvian Navy for spare parts, 26 Jul 1974; later scrapped[60] |
| DD-449 | USS Nicholas | Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME | 4 Jun 1942 | 30 Jan 1970 | Sold for scrap, 1 Oct 1970[60] |
| DD-450 | USS O'Bannon | Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME | 26 Jun 1942 | 30 Jan 1970 | Sold for scrap, 6 Jun 1970[60] |
DesDiv 10 (DD-465 to DD-470)
| Hull Number | Name | Builder | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-465 | USS Saufley | Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, NJ | 29 Aug 1942 | 29 Jan 1965 | Sunk as target off Florida, 20 Feb 1968[60] |
| DD-466 | USS Waller | Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, NJ | 1 Oct 1942 | 15 Jul 1969 | Sunk as target, 17 Jun 1970[60] |
| DD-467 | USS Strong | Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME | 7 Aug 1942 | Sunk 5 Jul 1943 | Sunk by Japanese destroyer Niizuki off Kolombangara, Solomon Islands[60] |
| DD-468 | USS Taylor | Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME | 28 Aug 1942 | 3 Jun 1969 | Transferred to Italy for spare parts, scrapped 1 Jan 1971[60] |
| DD-469 | USS De Haven | Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME | 21 Sep 1942 | Sunk 1 Feb 1943 | Sunk by Japanese aircraft at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands[60] |
| DD-470 | USS Bache | Bethlehem Steel Corp., Staten Island, NY | 14 Nov 1942 | 26 Feb 1968 | Struck reef off Puerto Rico, 1 Mar 1968; scrapped on site[60] |
DesDiv 11 (DD-471 to DD-476)
| Hull Number | Name | Builder | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-471 | USS Beale | Bethlehem Steel Corp., Staten Island, NY | 23 Dec 1942 | 30 Sep 1968 | Sunk as target, 24 Jun 1969[60] |
| DD-472 | USS Guest | Boston Navy Yard | 15 Dec 1942 | 18 Feb 1966 | Transferred to Uruguay as Artigas (D-21), 1966; scuttled by Brazil, 22 Feb 1983[60] |
| DD-473 | USS Bennett | Boston Navy Yard | 9 Feb 1943 | 21 Feb 1968 | Transferred to Brazil as Para (D-27), 1965; sold for scrap, 1978[60] |
| DD-474 | USS Fullam | Boston Navy Yard | 2 Mar 1943 | 1 Jun 1962 | Sunk after nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll, 7 Jul 1962[60] |
| DD-475 | USS Hudson | Boston Navy Yard | 13 Apr 1943 | 1 Dec 1972 | Sold for scrap, 27 Nov 1973[60] |
| DD-476 | USS Hutchins | Boston Navy Yard | 17 Nov 1942 | 30 Nov 1945 | Sold for scrap, 10 Jan 1948[60] |
DesDiv 12 (DD-477 to DD-481)
| Hull Number | Name | Builder | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-477 | USS Pringle | Charleston Naval Shipyard, SC | 15 Sep 1942 | Sunk 16 Apr 1945 | Sunk by Japanese aircraft off Okinawa[60] |
| DD-478 | USS Stanly | Charleston Naval Shipyard, SC | 15 Oct 1942 | 28 Feb 1967 | Sold for scrap, 16 Dec 1971[60] |
| DD-479 | USS Stevens | Charleston Naval Shipyard, SC | 1 Feb 1943 | 28 Sep 1946 | Sold for scrap, 27 Nov 1973[60] |
| DD-480 | USS Halford | Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA | 10 Apr 1943 | 15 May 1946 | Sold for scrap, 2 Apr 1970[60] |
| DD-481 | USS Leutze | Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA | 4 Mar 1944 | 6 Dec 1945 | Sold for scrap, 17 Jun 1947[60] |