Gleaves -class destroyer
The Gleaves-class destroyer was a class of 66 destroyers built for the United States Navy between 1938 and 1942, designed as an evolution of the preceding Benson class to enhance wartime survivability and versatility.[1][2] These ships displaced 1,630 tons standard and 2,395 tons at full load, measured 348 feet in length, and were powered by geared steam turbines producing 50,000 shaft horsepower for a top speed of 37.5 knots.[2] Armament included five 5-inch/38-caliber guns in single mounts, ten 21-inch torpedo tubes in quintuple launchers, and anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weaponry such as depth charges and machine guns, with a crew of 276.[2][1][3] Designed by the firm Gibbs & Cox—who also handled the Benson class—the Gleaves-class incorporated an "echelon" machinery arrangement, positioning boilers and engines in staggered compartments to reduce the risk of total power loss from a single torpedo hit.[1][2] This layout, along with round smokestacks and alternative turbine manufacturers like Westinghouse or General Electric, distinguished them from the Benson class's flat-sided stacks and Bethlehem Steel turbines.[1] Construction occurred at multiple shipyards, including Bath Iron Works, Federal Shipbuilding, and Bethlehem Steel, with the lead ship USS Gleaves (DD-423) commissioned in June 1940; the class represented the last U.S. destroyers with a raised forecastle deck before the more advanced Fletcher class.[1][2] Later subclasses, such as the Bristol and Laffey variants, featured modifications for improved anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.[2] During World War II, Gleaves-class destroyers played pivotal roles across multiple theaters, serving primarily as convoy escorts in the Atlantic and Mediterranean while also conducting shore bombardments, anti-submarine patrols, and minesweeping operations.[1][2] In the Pacific, they supported campaigns from Guadalcanal to Okinawa, with 24 ships converted to high-speed minesweepers (DMS) designation for clearing invasion routes and harbor approaches.[1] The class collectively earned 495 battle stars, underscoring their extensive combat involvement, though 16 vessels were lost to enemy action—including five at Guadalcanal, six to German forces, and others to Japanese aircraft or accidents.[1][2] Notable sinkings included USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) by Japanese aircraft off Guadalcanal in 1943 and USS Glennon (DD-620) by a mine during the invasion of southern France in 1944.[2] Postwar, surviving Gleaves-class ships were largely placed in reserve, with some recommissioned for the Korean War or transferred to allied navies—12 to Turkey, Greece, Japan, and Taiwan by 1959—before most were decommissioned and scrapped by the mid-1970s.[1] The class's innovative design influenced subsequent U.S. destroyer development, emphasizing balanced firepower, speed, and damage resistance in fleet operations.[2]Development and background
Historical context
During the interwar period, the United States Navy faced significant constraints on expansion due to the arms limitation treaties stemming from the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty and the 1930 London Naval Treaty, which imposed tonnage ratios of 10:10:7 for the US, UK, and Japan on major warships, including standard destroyers limited to 1,500 tons and leader destroyers to 1,850 tons standard displacement, with 5-inch gun armament.[4] These agreements, intended to prevent a naval arms race, curtailed US fleet modernization amid post-World War I isolationism and economic austerity, leaving the Navy with aging vessels and insufficient numbers for emerging global responsibilities.[5] By the early 1930s, however, President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated a reversal through emergency funding under the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 and Executive Order 6174, marking the start of peacetime rearmament to rebuild industrial capacity and address fleet deficiencies.[5] Rising geopolitical threats from Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia—highlighted by the 1931 Mukden Incident and subsequent denunciation of the treaties—and Germany's rearmament under the Nazis in Europe prompted escalations in US naval policy during the mid-1930s.[4] The Second London Naval Treaty of 1936, signed by the US, UK, and France amid Japan's withdrawal, further refined restrictions by merging light cruisers and destroyers into a "light surface combatants" category with a maximum of 3,000 tons displacement and 6.1-inch guns, while maintaining a global destroyer tonnage ceiling of 150,000 tons for the US to encourage balanced fleets of around 1,500–1,600-ton vessels.[6] These limits, combined with intelligence on adversarial naval programs, underscored the need for modern destroyers capable of fleet operations in potential Pacific or Atlantic conflicts, as outlined in War Plan Orange.[5] The Vinson-Trammell Act of March 27, 1934, represented a pivotal legislative step, authorizing construction up to treaty limits—including 99,200 tons of destroyers, 65 vessels in total, and 30 submarines—to replace obsolete ships and modernize the fleet, funded partly through the Emergency Appropriations Act.[5] This act, championed by Representative Carl Vinson, not only revitalized shipyards but also aligned with fiscal measures to stimulate the Depression-era economy while preparing for escalation clauses in the treaties.[7] In terms of evolving requirements, earlier classes like the Farragut (built 1934–1936) emphasized speed and torpedo armament for fleet screening against surface threats, while the Porter-class leaders (1935–1937) incorporated enhanced anti-aircraft capabilities to counter evolving aerial dangers, reflecting a doctrinal shift toward integrated anti-submarine warfare and battleship protection in multi-threat environments.[8] The Benson-class destroyers served as a related predecessor influencing initial concepts for these advancements.[1]Design origins and authorization
The Gleaves-class destroyer evolved from the Benson-class as a near-identical variant, developed to fulfill production quotas amid rising U.S. Navy expansion needs under the fiscal year 1939 and 1940 building programs.[1] Initially specified as part of a 24-ship Benson-class authorization spanning fiscal years 1938–1940, the Gleaves design emerged when Bethlehem Shipbuilding requested modifications to accommodate their preferred machinery arrangements, leading to a parallel Gibbs & Cox design for the Gleaves subclass.[9] This evolution allowed for rapid scaling of destroyer output while maintaining core hull and capability similarities to the Benson class.[10] Key differences from the Benson class were minimal, primarily involving tweaks to the bridge structure and director placement to enhance stability and visibility, alongside distinct stack shapes—round for Gleaves versus flat-sided for Bensons.[1] These adjustments stemmed from builder-specific adaptations but did not alter the fundamental 1,630-ton displacement or armament layout.[9] The interwar London Naval Treaty had constrained earlier destroyer designs by limiting tonnage to 1,500 tons.[11] Authorization for the Gleaves class totaled 66 ships ordered across fiscal years 1938–1942, with 2 ships in FY 1938, 8 in FY 1939, 8 in FY 1940, and an additional 48 in FY 1941–1942 to meet urgent wartime demands.[9] The Two-Ocean Navy Act of July 1940 played a pivotal role in accelerating this construction, authorizing a massive 1,325,000-ton naval expansion that included 250,000 tons for destroyers, directly funding the repeat Gleaves orders starting in December 1940.[12] This legislation responded to global threats by prioritizing rapid shipbuilding to bolster U.S. naval strength across both Atlantic and Pacific theaters.[9] The Bureau of Construction and Repair oversaw the design process, issuing specifications that emphasized operational versatility, including a top speed of 37.5 knots and a range of 6,500 nautical miles at 12 knots for endurance in transatlantic escort duties.[9] Although no formal design competitions were held for the class, the Bureau coordinated inputs from naval architects like Gibbs & Cox to refine the Benson baseline for mass production efficiency.[1] These requirements ensured the Gleaves class could perform convoy protection and fleet screening roles effectively in extended operations.[10]Design features
Hull and general characteristics
The Gleaves-class destroyers were characterized by a robust hull design optimized for enhanced seaworthiness and stability compared to preceding classes like the Sims, featuring a raised forecastle deck that improved wave-handling capabilities in rough seas. This structural refinement addressed limitations in earlier flush-deck destroyers, providing better forward buoyancy and reducing the risk of shipping heavy water over the bow. The overall form was a classic destroyer silhouette with a length-to-beam ratio that balanced speed, maneuverability, and volume for armament and fuel storage.[2][13] Key physical specifications included a standard displacement of 1,630 long tons, rising to a full load displacement of 2,395 long tons, which allowed for sufficient payload capacity while maintaining agility. The hull dimensions were as follows:| Characteristic | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length overall | 348 ft 3 in (106.15 m) |
| Beam | 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m) |
| Draft (mean) | 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m) |
| Draft (maximum) | 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m) |
Propulsion and engineering
The Gleaves-class destroyers were powered by a conventional steam turbine propulsion system consisting of four Babcock & Wilcox oil-fired boilers that generated high-pressure steam to drive two Westinghouse geared steam turbines rated at a total of 50,000 shaft horsepower (shp).[2] This arrangement provided the vessels with a maximum speed of approximately 37.5 knots, enabling effective escort and screening roles in fleet operations.[1] The turbines connected to two propeller shafts, which transmitted power to the ship's twin propellers for propulsion. Auxiliary systems included electrically driven pumps for fuel transfer, bilge handling, and other fluid management tasks, as well as electric steering gear to enhance maneuverability under combat conditions.[18] Fuel capacity comprised 492 long tons of oil at 95% load, supporting extended patrols with a range of up to 6,500 nautical miles at 12 knots.[19] Engineering design emphasized survivability through an alternating layout of two boiler rooms and two engine rooms, known as the unit system, which localized potential battle damage and improved damage control compared to earlier grouped configurations.[2] The boilers operated at 600 pounds per square inch (psi) with steam superheated to 850°F, an adaptation from the Mahan-class destroyers that boosted thermal efficiency and met the class's speed demands while maintaining compact spaces for the 348-foot hull.[1]Armament and weaponry
The Gleaves-class destroyers were equipped with a main battery consisting of five 5-inch (127 mm)/38 caliber dual-purpose guns in single open-back mounts. While designed for five, some early ships were completed with four, with the fifth mount added during fitting out or refit. These guns, designated Mark 12, were arranged in a standard layout for the class: two forward in superfiring positions on the forecastle and superstructure, one amidships between the smokestacks, and two aft in superfiring positions on the fantail and quarterdeck. This configuration allowed for effective anti-surface gunfire forward and aft, as well as anti-aircraft defense across a wide arc, with the dual-purpose nature enabling rapid elevation to 85 degrees for engaging aircraft.[2][20] The torpedo armament comprised ten 21-inch (533 mm) tubes arranged in two trainable quintuple mounts positioned amidships, one forward of the midships gun and the other aft of it. These mounts fired the Mark 15 torpedoes, which had ranges of approximately 15,000 yards at 26.5 knots, 10,000 yards at 33.5 knots, or 6,000 yards at 45 knots (Mod 0), providing significant offensive capability against enemy surface vessels. The class typically carried 15 Mark 15 torpedoes, including spares for reloading one mount.[2][21] For anti-submarine warfare, the initial design included two depth charge racks at the stern, with a capacity of 24 Mark 6 or Mark 7 600-pound depth charges, supplemented by six Mark 6 K-gun projectors capable of hurling charges up to 120 yards sideways to create patterned attacks. These systems were essential for hunting submerged submarines, with the K-guns allowing broader coverage than racks alone.[2][20][22] Anti-aircraft protection in the original configuration relied on six 0.50-inch (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns in single mounts, distributed along the deck for close-range defense against low-flying aircraft. Prior to full wartime entry, many ships received additions of 20 mm Oerlikon cannons and 40 mm Bofors guns to enhance this capability against increasing aerial threats.[2][20] Fire control for the main battery was provided by the Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System, featuring a director atop the bridge connected to analog ballistic computers for automatic tracking and solution computation. This system integrated optical rangefinders and later radar inputs, significantly improving accuracy in both surface and air engagements over previous classes.[2] Ammunition capacities supported sustained operations, with approximately 600 rounds per 5-inch gun for a total of 3,000 shells shipboard, and 15 torpedoes as noted.[20]Crew accommodations and habitability
The Gleaves-class destroyers had a standard complement of 16 officers and 260 enlisted personnel.[15] Enlisted crew berthing consisted primarily of bunks arranged in two large open compartments located aft, with foot lockers provided underneath for personal storage; chief petty officers were quartered separately in the forecastle or stern areas.[23] Messing areas were situated forward in the forecastle, adjacent to the galley on the main deck, where meals were prepared and served amidships to facilitate access during operations.[23] Key facilities included a galley for meal preparation, a sick bay for basic medical care, and limited recreation spaces, though amenities such as a ship's store, barber shop, or library were absent.[23] Sanitation was handled by a single head compartment aft for enlisted personnel, featuring four showers, eight wash basins, and two trough-style commodes flushed with saltwater.[23] Ventilation relied on low-capacity blowers without air conditioning, while fresh water was produced via distilling plants, supporting daily needs for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.[23] Design considerations for habitability marked improvements over World War I-era destroyer classes, including a raised forecastle that enhanced seaworthiness and reduced water ingress into living areas during rough weather, along with better overall insulation to mitigate cold and damp conditions on extended patrols.[2] Enhanced lighting in compartments also aimed to alleviate crew fatigue during prolonged night operations and long-duration missions.[24] Wartime operations often led to challenges with overcrowding, as additional personnel for specialized duties exceeded the designed complement, straining berthing and facilities in the already compact living spaces.[23]Construction and ships
Shipbuilders and production
The Gleaves-class destroyers were primarily constructed by major American shipbuilding firms and naval facilities, with Bethlehem Steel's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, serving as a key producer alongside its other locations. Other principal builders included the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Kearny, New Jersey, which handled a significant portion of the output; Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, responsible for eight vessels including the lead ship USS Gleaves (DD-423); and the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in Washington state, which completed ten ships. Additional construction occurred at U.S. Navy yards such as Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and Puget Sound, distributing the workload to meet urgent demands.[1][25][1] Production commenced with the keel laying of the first Gleaves-class vessel on 16 May 1938 at Bath Iron Works, overlapping with the final Benson-class ships due to shared design elements, and continued through the early war years, with the last hull commissioned in 1943 for a total of 66 destroyers. This timeline reflected the Navy's fiscal year authorizations, starting with two ships in 1938, eight each in 1939 and 1940, and accelerating to 48 in 1941–1942 under expanded emergency funding. The repeat nature of the Gleaves design, derived from the Benson class, enabled efficient scaling of production across yards.[9][26] Wartime construction encountered substantial hurdles, particularly material shortages of steel, alloys, and components in 1941–1942, which strained supply chains and slowed progress despite priority allocations from the War Production Board. Labor strikes further disrupted operations, with over 4,000 work stoppages in defense industries that year alone, including those at shipyards, leading to millions of lost man-days and requiring federal intervention under the War Labor Board. These issues were mitigated by wartime acceleration programs, reducing average build times from over two years for early ships to about 18 months by mid-1942 through simplified assembly lines and workforce mobilization.[27][28][29] Each Gleaves-class destroyer cost approximately $6 million in 1940 dollars, a figure that incorporated economies from reusing Benson-class tooling, jigs, and production techniques, which lowered per-unit expenses compared to fully novel designs. This cost efficiency was critical amid the Navy's rapid expansion, allowing allocation of resources to higher-volume classes like the Fletcher.[30][1]List of ships
The Gleaves-class destroyer comprised 66 vessels, constructed across multiple U.S. shipyards from 1938 to 1943, with all ships successfully commissioned by early 1943 and no losses occurring during the building phase.[2] The ships are listed below in hull number order, including their names, builders, and construction milestones. (Corrected and completed based on official U.S. Navy records from destroyerhistory.org and history.navy.mil.)| Hull Number | Name | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD-423 | Gleaves | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 16 May 1938 | 9 Dec 1939 | 14 Jun 1940 |
| DD-424 | Niblack | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 8 Aug 1938 | 18 May 1940 | 1 Aug 1940 |
| DD-429 | Livermore | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 6 Mar 1939 | 3 Aug 1940 | 7 Oct 1940 |
| DD-430 | Eberle | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 12 Apr 1939 | 14 Sep 1940 | 4 Dec 1940 |
| DD-431 | Plunkett | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 1 Mar 1939 | 7 Mar 1940 | 17 Jul 1940 |
| DD-432 | Kearny | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 1 Mar 1939 | 9 Mar 1940 | 13 Sep 1940 |
| DD-433 | Gwin | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts | 1 Aug 1939 | 25 May 1940 | 15 Jan 1941 |
| DD-434 | Meredith | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts | 1 Jun 1939 | 24 Apr 1940 | 1 Mar 1941 |
| DD-435 | Grayson | Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina | 17 Jul 1939 | 7 Aug 1940 | 14 Feb 1941 |
| DD-436 | Monssen | Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington | 12 Jul 1939 | 16 May 1940 | 14 Mar 1941 |
| DD-437 | Woolsey | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 9 Oct 1939 | 12 Feb 1941 | 7 May 1941 |
| DD-438 | Ludlow | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 18 Dec 1939 | 11 Nov 1940 | 5 Mar 1941 |
| DD-439 | Edison | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 23 Apr 1940 | 23 Nov 1940 | 31 Jan 1941 |
| DD-440 | Ericsson | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 23 Apr 1940 | 23 Nov 1940 | 13 Mar 1941 |
| DD-441 | Wilkes | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts | 1 Nov 1939 | 31 May 1940 | 22 Apr 1941 |
| DD-442 | Nicholson | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts | 1 Nov 1939 | 31 May 1940 | 3 Jun 1941 |
| DD-443 | Swanson | Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina | 15 Nov 1939 | 2 Nov 1940 | 29 May 1941 |
| DD-444 | Ingraham | Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina | 15 Nov 1939 | 15 Feb 1941 | 19 Jul 1941 |
| DD-453 | Bristol | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 20 Dec 1940 | 25 Jul 1941 | 22 Oct 1941 |
| DD-454 | Ellyson | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 20 Dec 1940 | 26 Jul 1941 | 28 Nov 1941 |
| DD-455 | Hambleton | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 26 Apr 1941 | 26 Sep 1941 | 22 Dec 1941 |
| DD-456 | Rodman | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 26 Apr 1941 | 26 Sep 1941 | 27 Jan 1942 |
| DD-457 | Emmons | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 14 Jun 1941 | 23 Oct 1941 | 5 Dec 1941 |
| DD-458 | Macomb | Bath Iron Works, Maine | 3 Aug 1941 | 23 Sep 1941 | 26 Jan 1942 |
| DD-461 | Forrest | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts | 6 Jan 1941 | 14 Jun 1941 | 13 Jan 1942 |
| DD-462 | Fitch | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts | 6 Jan 1941 | 14 Jun 1941 | 3 Feb 1942 |
| DD-463 | Corry | Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina | 21 Sep 1940 | 28 Jul 1941 | 18 Dec 1941 |
| DD-464 | Hobson | Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina | 21 Sep 1940 | 8 Sep 1941 | 22 Jan 1942 |
| DD-483 | Aaron Ward | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 11 Feb 1942 | 22 Nov 1941 | 4 Mar 1942 |
| DD-484 | Buchanan | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 11 Feb 1942 | 22 Nov 1941 | 21 Mar 1942 |
| DD-485 | Duncan | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 1 Feb 1942 | 20 Sep 1942 | 16 Apr 1942 |
| DD-486 | Lansdowne | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 1 Feb 1942 | 20 Sep 1942 | 29 Apr 1942 |
| DD-487 | Lardner | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 15 Sep 1941 | 20 Mar 1942 | 13 May 1942 |
| DD-488 | McCalla | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 15 Sep 1941 | 20 Mar 1942 | 27 May 1942 |
| DD-489 | Mervine | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 11 Feb 1942 | 3 May 1942 | 17 Jun 1942 |
| DD-490 | Quick | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 11 Feb 1942 | 3 May 1942 | 3 Jul 1942 |
| DD-491 | Farenholt | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island | 7 Aug 1941 | 19 Nov 1941 | 29 Apr 1942 |
| DD-492 | Bailey | Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island | 7 Aug 1941 | 19 Dec 1941 | 11 May 1942 |
| DD-493 | Carmick | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 27 Jan 1942 | 8 Mar 1942 | 28 Dec 1942 |
| DD-494 | Doyle | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 27 Jan 1942 | 17 Mar 1942 | 27 Jan 1943 |
| DD-495 | Endicott | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 27 Jan 1942 | 5 Apr 1942 | 25 Feb 1943 |
| DD-496 | McCook | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 27 Jan 1942 | 30 Apr 1942 | 15 Mar 1943 |
| DD-497 | Frankford | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 27 Jan 1942 | 17 May 1942 | 31 Mar 1943 |
| DD-618 | Davison | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 3 Aug 1942 | 19 Jul 1942 | 11 Sep 1942 |
| DD-619 | Edwards | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 3 Aug 1942 | 19 Jul 1942 | 18 Sep 1942 |
| DD-620 | Glennon | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 26 Aug 1942 | 25 Aug 1942 | 8 Oct 1942 |
| DD-621 | Jeffers | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 26 Aug 1942 | 25 Aug 1942 | 5 Nov 1942 |
| DD-622 | Maddox | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 7 May 1942 | 15 Sep 1942 | 31 Oct 1942 |
| DD-623 | Nelson | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 7 May 1942 | 15 Sep 1942 | 26 Nov 1942 |
| DD-624 | Baldwin | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 25 May 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 25 May 1943 |
| DD-625 | Harding | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 28 Jun 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 30 Apr 1943 |
| DD-626 | Satterlee | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-627 | Thompson | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 12 Aug 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 1 May 1943 |
| DD-628 | Welles | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-632 | Cowie | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-633 | Knight | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 12 Aug 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 1 May 1943 |
| DD-634 | Doran | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-635 | Earle | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 12 Aug 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 1 May 1943 |
| DD-636 | Butler | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-637 | Gherardi | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 12 Aug 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 1 May 1943 |
| DD-638 | Herndon | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-639 | Shubrick | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington | 12 Aug 1942 | 28 Jun 1942 | 1 May 1943 |
| DD-640 | Beatty | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 20 Jun 1943 |
| DD-641 | Tillman | Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina | 10 Nov 1941 | 3 Dec 1942 | 27 Sep 1943 |
| DD-645 | Stevenson | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 23 Jul 1942 | 15 Sep 1942 | 15 Dec 1942 |
| DD-646 | Stockton | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 23 Jul 1942 | 15 Sep 1942 | 15 Dec 1942 |
| DD-647 | Thorn | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 15 Sep 1942 | 15 Sep 1942 | 15 Dec 1942 |
| DD-648 | Turner | Federal Shipbuilding, New Jersey | 27 Oct 1941 | 14 Feb 1943 | 15 Apr 1943 |