As earths world war two started, the uss laffey was assigned to the pacific fleet. Both ships were named in honor of seaman bartlett laffey, a civil war medal of honor recipient. Laffey managed to stay afloat despite fires, inoperable guns, and a jammed rudder, but 32 men died and 71 men were wounded in the attacks in which laffey fought for 80 minutes against 22. The name uss laffey is pretty well known among those of us who build wwii ships and have read some pacific war history. Nov 01, 2017 on november 1942, the first uss laffey dd459 was sunk by the japanese during a night battle during the early stages of the naval battle of guadalcanal, less than a year after being commissioned. See more ideas about uss laffey, battleship and navy ships. The destroyer that took on wwii kamikazes is coming to the. Jan 8, 2020 explore seahawksrussells board uss laffey dd724 on. She survived the korean war and 25 more years of cold war sailing. This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the uss laffey dd724 article. In the midst of heated battle laffey landed a 12pound howitzer and her crew. Tin can sailors the national association of destroyer.
Laffey managed to stay afloat despite fires, inoperable guns, and a jammed rudder, but 32 men died and 71 men were wounded 2 in the attacks in which laffey fought for 80 minutes against 22. On november 1942, the first uss laffey dd459 was sunk by the japanese during a night battle during the early stages of the naval battle of guadalcanal, less than a year after being commissioned the uss laffeya benson class destroyerwas commissioned on 31 march 1942 and commanded by lt. In this role she found herself patrolling the area around guadalcanal and tulagi covering the us amphibious landings and keeping an eye out for japanese resupply. The technical portion not only explores the exterior of the ship where the guns, radar, and other features are clearly visible but also areas deep inside where the magazines, machinery, and other equipment necessary to operate the ship and its armament are.
Destroyer history uss laffey, patriots point, mount. Commissioned february 8, 1944, the uss laffey dd724 had. She was the first destroyer named for bartlett laffey. Uss laffey dd724 destroyer warship image pic2 image. Retired gmgc, of all my ships laffey is the most memorable dd724 joe august ftg2 19631965 jmaugust at dd724 james bailey mm3 263 1063.
Zenghh white pillowcase doublesided pattern 150x50cm,160x50cm59 x 19. With the staff at patriots point, we preserve and maintain the ship, its records, memories, letters, photos, videos, etc. For the first time in these battles, laffeys crew faced kamikaze. Becton, who retired from the navy in 1966 with the rank of rear admiral, wrote about the laffeys experiences in his 1980 book, the ship that. Uss laffey dd 459 in harbor, probably at espiritu santo, new hebrides, with survivors of uss wasp cv7 on board. Uss laffey dd724 pothumous purple heart group medals. Wasp had been sunk by a japanese submarine on 15 september 1942. Dml uss laffey dd459 1942 smart kit dml7086 uss laffey dd459 1942 smart kit this is the 1700 scale uss laffey dd459 1942 smart kit from the modern sea power series by dragon for ages 14 years and up. During the early morning hours of the first guadalcanal naval battle on november, the laffey engaged japanese battleships hiei and kirishima before. Namesake bartlett laffey usn 1841 march 22 1901 laffey enlisted in the navy march 17 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. The uss laffey dd459 was a benson class destroyer built by the bethlehem shipbuilding company in san francisco, california in 1941. Uss laffey destroyer 724 tin can sailors, volume 1. The documentaries also provided commentary by an effective combination of veterans, many who. The uss laffey dd724 was laid down 28 june 1943 by bath iron works corp.
This publication is devoted to the uss laffey dd 724 an allen m sumner class destroyer, and covers its technical and operational history. After fitting out, the ship underwent shakedown at bermuda, arriving back at boston on 2 april. This is not a forum for general discussion of the articles subject put new text under old text. Uss laffey dd459 benson class destroyer by devin j. On april 16, 1945, the destroyer uss laffey dd 724 got crashed by seven kamikaze planes and hit by bombs dropped by two other japanese aircraft. History of the uss laffey dd724 8 february 1944 through 26 june 1945 the uss laffey dd 724 was commissioned at boston navy yard on 8 february 1944, with commander f. She is the first of two ships that bear the name laffey. Dml uss laffey ddg459 benson class destroyer 1942 dml1026 uss laffey ddg459 benson class destroyer 1942 this is the 50 scale uss laffey dd459 benson class destroyer 1942 plastic kit by dragon for ages 14 years and up. Dd 724 was named in honor of laffey dd 459, sunk during the naval battle for guadalcanal november 1942. Sumnerclass destroyer, which was constructed during. His next of kin is listed as living in westfield, mass. Navy ship, while at sea in the south pacific on 4 september 1942.
He enlisted on december, 1941 and was part of the commissioning crew of the laffey on february 8, 1944. Navy cross, kia, wwii, naval battle of guadalcanal, pacific, uss laffey dd 459, ship namesake, ship pages in category uss laffey dd 459 this category contains only the following page. Click on image for full size image, size, image description, contributed by. May 14, 2018 bensonclass destroyers were built for the united states navy from 1938 until 1943 and the family consisted of 30 total vessels which included uss laffey dd 459 not to be confused with uss laffey dd 724 which appeared some years later. Uss laffey dd 724, right next to uss hank dd 702, a sister ship named after william hank, the commanding officer of the first uss laffey dd 459.
Sumnerclass destroyer, which was constructed during world war ii, laid down and launched in 1943, and commissioned in february 1944. The cd comes in a plastic sleeve with a custom label. The onceattached now deleted picture is not one of uss laffey dd 724, but is of the earlier laffey dd 459, sunk during the naval battle of guadalcanal. The uss laffey, dd 459, was built at the bethlehem steel company shipyard in san francisco and commissioned there 31 march 1942. Becton, was awarded the navy cross for his actions that april day in 1945. Ordeal of uss laffey dd724 naval history and heritage. Uss laffey was launched on november 21, 1943, and was commissioned on february 8, 1944. Dd 724 monte arbanas gmg2 12651268 1wiferitaannarbanas at. Laffey, daughter of medal of honor recipient s1c bartlett laffey. Written by the uss laffeys commanding officer, julian becton, it told the story of the laffeys 80minute ordeal off the coast of japan during the invasion of okinawa as seen by becton. Uss laffey was a benson class destroyer in service with the us navy during the second world war, and had been assigned to us admiral norman scotts cruiser task force after her arrival in the guadalcanal region in october 1942.
The second uss laffey dd 724 was laid down 28 june 1943 by bath iron works, bath, maine. The previous uss laffey was dd459 and she was a benson class dd who appears in the us line at tier 8. Retired gmgc, of all my ships laffey is the most memorable dd 724 joe august ftg2 19631965 jmaugust at dd 724 james bailey mm3 263 1063. Media in category uss laffey dd 459 the following 6 files are in this category, out of 6 total. Dd724 was named in honor of laffey dd459, sunk during the naval battle for guadalcanal november 1942. Uss laffey dd 459 benson class destroyer by devin j. He has also written numerous articles for such publications as wwii history, naval history, and world war ii. Seaman laffey was awarded the medal of honor for his stand against confederate forces on 5 march 1864. Bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841, enlisted in the navy on 17 march 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. Dd 459 was laid down in 1941 and was lost just over a year later in 1942, so john steinbecks quote, wherever there is a mess, the destroyer runs first. No photo available, bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841. On april 16th, 1945 a small destroyer in the pacific was attacked by 22 kamikaze planes.
Despite enemy rifle fire which cut up the gun carriage and severed the rammer, laffey. The uss laffey survived waves of kamikazes off okinawa. On 5 march 1864, the confederates launched a heavy attack on union positions at yazoo city, miss. Uss laffey dd 459 was a bensonclass destroyer of the united states navy during world war ii. Cruiser in the center background is uss juneau cl52.
Dml uss laffey dd459 1942 smart kit plastic model destroyer. The laffey dd724 was named for the first laffey dd459, sunk at the naval battle of guadalcanal in november 1942. The uss laffey dd 459 was a benson class destroyer built by the bethlehem shipbuilding company in san francisco, california in 1941. Dd724 monte arbanas gmg2 12651268 1wiferitaannarbanas at. Enjoy books on pacific northwest maritime history and maritime history travel guides. On march 5 1864, the confederates launched a heavy attack on union positions at yazoo city, miss. Navy laffey s commanding officer, commander frederick j. Each page has been placed on a cd for years of enjoyable computer viewing. This is evident because of the penant number on the bow. The uss laffey dd 724 fought at normandy, iwo jima, philippines and took on 22 kamikazes in 80 minutes at okinawa. The first uss laffey was a benson class destroyer that was built in 1941 for the united states navy. Sumner class was intended by the navy to be an interim design between the fletcher class and the soon to be built improved gearing class.
Department of defense dod, russian ministry of defense, chinese ministry of defense, british ministry of defence, or royal australian. The laffey dd 724 was named for the first laffey dd 459, sunk at the naval battle of guadalcanal in november 1942. Now, many years later, along comes john wukovits to tell the story again, this time from the perspective of several of the crew who served aboard this heroic ship. She has now sprung some very bad leaks and is need of dry dock service. Becton in command upon completion of underway training, laffey visited washington navy yard for 1 day and departed 28 february 1944, arriving bermuda 4 march. Uss laffey was launched on november 21, 1943, and was commissioned on february 8, 1944 the allen m. Veterans from each of the three ships provide eyewitness accounts of the kamikaze attacks. Uss laffey dd 724 is the most decorated world war ii era us destroyer still in existence. Cascade the cascade range is a northward extension of the sierra nevada mountains across the states of oregon and washington into british columbia. Uss laffey association is a group of men and women who want to preserve and maintain the uss laffey dd 724 at patriots point, mt pleasant, sc 29464. The uss laffey dd724 fought at normandy, iwo jima, philippines and took on 22 kamikazes in 80 minutes at okinawa.
Although the ships gunners downed many incoming planes, seven suicide planes crashed into the ship, and two other planes dropped bombs that hit the ship. Your most complete source for museum ships worldwide. We meet annually for a reunion and numerous times for a work party aboard. Dml uss laffey ddg459 benson class destroyer 1942 plastic. Most sailors consider the cruise book one of their most valued treasures you would be purchasing an exact copy of the uss laffey dd 724 cruise book during the korean war era. The uss laffeya benson class destroyerwas commissioned on 31 march 1942 and commanded by lt. The heroic story of her survival due to the efforts of captain f. Apr 05, 2016 written by the uss laffey s commanding officer, julian becton, it told the story of the laffey s 80minute ordeal off the coast of japan during the invasion of okinawa as seen by becton. Built at bethlehem shipbuilding, san francisco, and commissioned 31 march 1942. Laffey dd 459 was laid down january 1941 by bethlehem shipbuilding co. Kamikaze directed by robert kirk and abe scheuermann history, 2008, 44 min. Registration and communicating with shipmates at is free forever. Uss laffey dd724 is the most decorated world war ii era us destroyer still in existence.
Laffey dd459 was laid down january 1941 by bethlehem shipbuilding co. Dml uss laffey dd 459 1942 smart kit dml7086 uss laffey dd 459 1942 smart kit this is the 1700 scale uss laffey dd 459 1942 smart kit from the modern sea power series by dragon for ages 14 years and up. Image used to illustrate the details of the uss laffey dd724 destroyer warship pic2. Dd459 was laid down in 1941 and was lost just over a year later in 1942, so john steinbecks quote, wherever there is a mess, the destroyer runs first. On april 16, 1945, while stationed at radar picket station one rp1, uss laffey faced an unrelenting assault by kamikazes. Uss laffey dd724, photographed from uss pce851, on okinawa radar picket station number 1 after being hit by kamikaze aircraft and.
Sumnerclass destroyer is uss laffey dd 724 first commissioned in 1944 and attached to desron 60, laffey engaged the enemy at utah beach as part of the normandy invasion before her transfer to the pacific, where she participated in operations in the philippines and iwo jima. She was commissioned march 31, 1942, with lieutenant. On 16 april 1945, while on radar picket duty off okinawa, she was attacked. Uss laffey dd724 yorktown aviators blog call the ball. The destroyer laffey dd724 fought for 80 minutes against 22 japanese kamikaze planes and conventional bombers on april 16, 1945. We ask that you enter only enough information about yourself that your shipmates can recall you. Tin can sailors shipmate registry the national association. Sumnerclass destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the united states navy to be named for bartlett laffey.
Uss laffey dd459 destroyer warship military factory. Apr 16, 2010 the destroyer laffey dd724 fought for 80 minutes against 22 japanese kamikaze planes and conventional bombers on april 16, 1945. Joseph rogowski was born in massachusetts about 1916. Daily happenings onboard the uss yorktown cv10 at patriots point naval and maritime museum in mount pleasant, south carolina. Please keep in mind that this list does only include records of people who submitted their information for publication on this website. Click here to start a new topic please sign and date your posts by typing four tildes new to wikipedia. The kamikaze episode focuses on attacks made on the escort carrier st. John wukovits is the author of many books, including for crew and country, one square mile of hell, and pacific alamo. History channel video dogfights uss laffey may be viewed onboard uss laffey at patriots point. Sep 14, 2015 the previous uss laffey was dd 459 and she was a benson class dd who appears in the us line at tier 8. Posts about uss laffey dd724 written by waring hills yorktown aviators blog call the ball. Note laffeys 538 guns, depth charges, and life rafts. The table below contains the names of sailors who served aboard the uss laffey dd 724.
1232 1300 44 210 551 1251 849 305 164 266 848 1619 42 19 159 1688 647 1152 1441 405 699 1240 1297 1128 1104 857 512 1057 1445 753 80