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USS Litchfield (DD-336)
Encyclopedia
USS Litchfield (DD-336/AG-95) was a Clemson-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
following World War I
. She was named for John Litchfield
.
Litchfield, a flush-decker, sailed to Bremerton, Washington
, on her shakedown cruise but her initial tour on the west coast was brief. Before the end of 1921 she had departed San Diego, California
and arrived in Charleston, South Carolina
. Following the annual fleet maneuvers, Litchfield steamed to Newport, Rhode Island
, to join Division 39 for duty in the eastern Mediterranean, arriving Constantinople
28 June 1922.
The division served under the direct command of Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol, U.S. High Commissioner for Turkey
. The Allied Commissioners were attempting to end a war between this former ally of Germany
and Greece
. Litchfield served in humanitarian causes and as an instrument of American foreign policy as Admiral Bristol’s destroyers evacuated 262,000 Greek and Armenia
n refugees from Smyrna
, Turkey, 13 September. The destroyers also assisted civilian relief agencies attempting to feed and evacuate additional thousands suffering from famine and war.
The following fall Litchfield returned to the United States, her cargo including the remains of World War I
hero George Dilboy
which were being returned to the US for reburial after his original grave was desecrated as part of the Greco-Turkish conflict.
Litchfield entered the New York Navy Yard on 30 October 1923 for overhaul. Litchfield joined Destroyer Squadron 12 based at San Diego 24 May 1924. During maneuvers and tactical exercises with the battle fleet in October, she was awarded prize money for her competitive short-range firing.
Annual competition and monthly maneuvers were supplemented in 1925 by a training cruise to Australia
and New Zealand
. On 4 June 1927 she participated in her first presidential review off Newport, Rhode Island
. Returning to the Pacific, Litchfield spent most of July off the coast of politically disturbed Nicaragua
. She survived both the cutback in naval tonnage agreed upon at the 1930 London Naval Conference
and the economy measures of the early years of the great depression.
In April 1937, Litchfield, as part of the Battle Fleet
, changed her permanent base from the west coast to Pearl Harbor
. On 20 May she became flagship
of Submarine Squadron 4, Submarine Force, Pearl Harbor, and continued to operate with submarine
s as war approached and training drills intensified during 1941. In company with , she departed her base 6 December and returned the 9th to the destruction wrought by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
.
With the outbreak of war
in the Pacific, Litchfield's duties involved the escort of U.S. submarines both in and out of port and antisubmarine patrol off the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Several times she made depth charge runs but no kills were confirmed prior to her departure 6 November 1943 for overhaul at Bremerton, Wash.
and Eniwetok. Twice near Midway, she rescued crews of downed patrol planes and she salvaged a PBM 8 August. Litchfield also conducted submarine training exercises in the vicinity of each of these two bases. On 17 March 1944 an escort mission brought her to Guam
, her furthest wartime penetration of the western Pacific. While performing escort and training duties with U.S. submarines at Guam on 31 March, she was redesignated AG-95, a miscellaneous auxiliary. Ending these duties 21 July, she arrived in San Diego 9 August.
The next week the Board of Inspectors recommended Litchfield be scrapped. Arriving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
in October, she decommissioned 5 November 1944 and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
28 November. Scrapping was completed by the Philadelphia Navy Yard 29 March 1946.
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
following World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. She was named for John Litchfield
John Litchfield
John R. Litchfield was a sailor in the United States Navy during World War I.-Biography:Born at Flanagan, Illinois, Litchfield was a Navy pharmacist’s mate serving with the 6th Regiment, USMC. Near Thiacourt, France, he treated the wounded while under shellfire...
.
History
Litchfield was laid down 15 January 1919 by Mare Island Navy Yard; launched 12 August 1919; sponsored by Mrs. Martha D. Litchfield, mother of Pharmacist’s Mate Litchfield; and commissioned 12 May 1920, Lieutenant Commander J. F. McClain in command.Litchfield, a flush-decker, sailed to Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
, on her shakedown cruise but her initial tour on the west coast was brief. Before the end of 1921 she had departed San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
and arrived in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. Following the annual fleet maneuvers, Litchfield steamed to Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, to join Division 39 for duty in the eastern Mediterranean, arriving Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
28 June 1922.
The division served under the direct command of Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol, U.S. High Commissioner for Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The Allied Commissioners were attempting to end a war between this former ally of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Litchfield served in humanitarian causes and as an instrument of American foreign policy as Admiral Bristol’s destroyers evacuated 262,000 Greek and Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n refugees from Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
, Turkey, 13 September. The destroyers also assisted civilian relief agencies attempting to feed and evacuate additional thousands suffering from famine and war.
The following fall Litchfield returned to the United States, her cargo including the remains of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
hero George Dilboy
George Dilboy
George Dilboy , , Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company H, 103d Infantry, 26th Division is thought to be the first Greek-American to receive the Medal of Honor during World War I, for leading an attack on a machinegun position and continuing to fire at the enemy despite being seriously...
which were being returned to the US for reburial after his original grave was desecrated as part of the Greco-Turkish conflict.
Litchfield entered the New York Navy Yard on 30 October 1923 for overhaul. Litchfield joined Destroyer Squadron 12 based at San Diego 24 May 1924. During maneuvers and tactical exercises with the battle fleet in October, she was awarded prize money for her competitive short-range firing.
Annual competition and monthly maneuvers were supplemented in 1925 by a training cruise to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. On 4 June 1927 she participated in her first presidential review off Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
. Returning to the Pacific, Litchfield spent most of July off the coast of politically disturbed Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. She survived both the cutback in naval tonnage agreed upon at the 1930 London Naval Conference
London Naval Treaty
The London Naval Treaty was an agreement between the United Kingdom, the Empire of Japan, France, Italy and the United States, signed on April 22, 1930, which regulated submarine warfare and limited naval shipbuilding. Ratifications were exchanged in London on October 27, 1930, and the treaty went...
and the economy measures of the early years of the great depression.
In April 1937, Litchfield, as part of the Battle Fleet
Battle Fleet
The United States Battle Fleet or Battle Force was part of the organization of the United States Navy from 1922 to 1941.The General Order of 6 December 1922 organized the United States Fleet, with the Battle Fleet as the Pacific presence. This fleet comprised the main body of ships in the Navy,...
, changed her permanent base from the west coast to Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
. On 20 May she became flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of Submarine Squadron 4, Submarine Force, Pearl Harbor, and continued to operate with submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s as war approached and training drills intensified during 1941. In company with , she departed her base 6 December and returned the 9th to the destruction wrought by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
.
With the outbreak of war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Pacific, Litchfield's duties involved the escort of U.S. submarines both in and out of port and antisubmarine patrol off the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Several times she made depth charge runs but no kills were confirmed prior to her departure 6 November 1943 for overhaul at Bremerton, Wash.
Fate
Upon her return to Pearl Harbor 14 January 1944, she escorted a series of convoys to MidwayMidway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
and Eniwetok. Twice near Midway, she rescued crews of downed patrol planes and she salvaged a PBM 8 August. Litchfield also conducted submarine training exercises in the vicinity of each of these two bases. On 17 March 1944 an escort mission brought her to Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, her furthest wartime penetration of the western Pacific. While performing escort and training duties with U.S. submarines at Guam on 31 March, she was redesignated AG-95, a miscellaneous auxiliary. Ending these duties 21 July, she arrived in San Diego 9 August.
The next week the Board of Inspectors recommended Litchfield be scrapped. Arriving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
in October, she decommissioned 5 November 1944 and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
28 November. Scrapping was completed by the Philadelphia Navy Yard 29 March 1946.
External links
- http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/336.htm