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USS Massey (DD-778)
Encyclopedia
USS Massey (DD-778), an , is the only ship of the United States Navy
to be named for Lieutenant Commander
Lance Edward Massey, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for "extraordinary achievement in aerial combat as leader of a group of nine torpedo planes in action against enemy Japanese surface vessels at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
, 1 February 1942. During the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942, Massey, commanding Torpedo Squadron 3, repeated this achievement as he led his squadron against Japanese naval units despite "intense antiaircraft fire and overwhelming fighter opposition." His squadron, bolstered by "his courageous initiative and self‑sacrificing gallantry", pressed home their attack and effected two direct hits on two enemy aircraft carriers. Massey, his plane shot down during the battle, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
for his courage, gallantry, and leadership during this decisive encounter.
Massey (DD-778) was laid down 14 January 1944 by Todd‑Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington; launched 12 September 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Lance E. Massey, widow of Lieutenant Commander Massey; and commissioned 24 November 1944, Commander
Charles W. Aldrich in command.
, 13 February 1945 en route to her first war assignment. Screening escort carriers, she steamed to Tulagi
for exercises in preparation for the Okinawa campaign. By 21 March she was at the Ulithi staging area and on 1 April she stood off Okinawa, protecting the escort carriers giving aerial support to the assault troops. For the next month she continued to operate with the carriers, switching to radar picket duty in May. Before leaving Okinawan waters 24 June, Massey's guns had splashed nine kamikazes.
Massey then sailed to San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands
, returning to Okinawa 16 July. She soon departed Buckner Bay to begin an antishipping sweep in the East China Sea, concentrating her efforts near the mouth of the Yangtze River
. With the cessation of hostilities in mid‑August, the destroyer returned to Okinawa and was assigned to air‑sea rescue work until 22 September. She then served as courier ship between Wakayama and Yokosuka.
, and hunter-killer team exercises for the Operational Development Force. Twice during this period, 21 July to 19 November 1947 and 1 June to 3 October 1948, she deployed with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.
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In September 1950, Massey was again ordered to the Pacific. She departed the east coast on the 6th, arriving Yokosuka a month later. On 14 October she joined the Advanced Force, U.N. Fleet, then engaged in minesweeping operations off the northeast coast of Korea. Massey patrolled the area in blockade and fire support activities, returning regularly to Wonsan, Hungnam, and Songjin, for most of her Korean tour. In December she bombarded enemy troop and transportation concentrations in the Hungnam area while U.N. forces were evacuating that port. She kept up her protective cover from the 15th through the completion of the operation on the 24th. She then turned her guns on the port facilities, thoroughly demolishing them.
In February 1951 the destroyer sailed to the west coast of Korea for blockade and bombardment in support of U.N. troops in the Inchon‑Seoul area. On 11 March she returned to the east coast and once again patrolled the North Korean coast, training her guns on personnel and communications centers.
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Massey returned to her home port, Norfolk, 2 July 1951 and resumed operations in the Atlantic. In April 1953 she departed for the Joint Antisubmarine School at Derry
, Northern Ireland
, and, following ASW operations with Royal Navy
units, continued on to the Mediterranean for a 6‑month deployment with the 6th Fleet. During this deployment she joined the carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt in providing medical and material aid to earthquake victims on Cephalonia, one of the Greek
Ionian islands
. She returned to the United States in October and was briefly assigned to Pensacola, Florida
, for plane guard duties. She reentered Hampton Roads in time for Christmas and resumed antisubmarine activities.
Massey spent the next 6 years operating with the Atlantic Fleet. She conducted various exercises and type training off the east coast and in the Caribbean, and made annual deployments to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet and NATO forces. In 1957 she sailed to northern Europe and the North Sea
for operations with NATO, in lieu of a Mediterranean cruise.
In December 1959, after 15 years of destroyer service, she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
where she underwent modernization (FRAM
). Four years later, in April 1963, she put into Boston for further modernization, receiving this time a Drone Antisubmarine Helicopter deck. Following these yard periods she resumed her hunter-killer exercises in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
_1966.jpg)
Massey was ordered to the Pacific for the second time, in January 1966. Departing Newport, Rhode Island
, on the 19th, she transited the Panama Canal and headed into the Pacific. On 28 February she arrived at Kaosiung, Taiwan
, commencing operations in the South China Sea the following week. The destroyer cruised off the coast of Vietnam
, providing gunfire support for ground forces and rescue service for carriers, as well as performing picket duty assignments, until departing Tonkin Gulf 3 July for Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. From the Philippines, she steamed for home via the Suez Canal. She arrived at Newport 17 August having circumnavigated the world. On 28 September she entered the Naval Shipyard at Boston for repairs.
Back in top shape early in 1967, Massey operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean, until departing Newport 2 May for the Mediterranean. The destroyer reached Gibraltar
on the 11th and operated with the 6th Fleet for the next 4 months. Steaming to the eastern Mediterranean she relieved destroyer in towing Atlantis to Rhodes after the sloop had been damaged in a collision with a merchant tanker.
, Massey screened America as TG 60.1 steamed through the troubled waters of the eastern Mediterranean.
As the situation in the Middle East eased and open war between Israel and the Arab States ceased, the destroyer steamed to Crete
, arriving Suda Bay 15 June. Massey continued operations with the 6th Fleet until departing Rota, Spain, 12 September for home, arriving Newport on the 21st.
Massey received two battle stars for World War II service and four battle stars for Korean service.
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...
to be named for Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Lance Edward Massey, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for "extraordinary achievement in aerial combat as leader of a group of nine torpedo planes in action against enemy Japanese surface vessels at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
, 1 February 1942. During the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942, Massey, commanding Torpedo Squadron 3, repeated this achievement as he led his squadron against Japanese naval units despite "intense antiaircraft fire and overwhelming fighter opposition." His squadron, bolstered by "his courageous initiative and self‑sacrificing gallantry", pressed home their attack and effected two direct hits on two enemy aircraft carriers. Massey, his plane shot down during the battle, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his courage, gallantry, and leadership during this decisive encounter.
Massey (DD-778) was laid down 14 January 1944 by Todd‑Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington; launched 12 September 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Lance E. Massey, widow of Lieutenant Commander Massey; and commissioned 24 November 1944, Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Charles W. Aldrich in command.
World War II
Massey departed Bremerton, WashingtonBremerton, 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...
, 13 February 1945 en route to her first war assignment. Screening escort carriers, she steamed to Tulagi
Tulagi
Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida Island. The town of the same name on the island Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island (5.5 km by 1 km) in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida...
for exercises in preparation for the Okinawa campaign. By 21 March she was at the Ulithi staging area and on 1 April she stood off Okinawa, protecting the escort carriers giving aerial support to the assault troops. For the next month she continued to operate with the carriers, switching to radar picket duty in May. Before leaving Okinawan waters 24 June, Massey's guns had splashed nine kamikazes.
Massey then sailed to San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands
San Pedro Bay (Philippines)
San Pedro Bay is a bay in the Philippines, at the northwest end of Leyte Gulf, about 15 km east-west and 20 km north-south. The bay is bounded on the north and east by Samar and on the east by Leyte Island. It is connected by San Juanico Strait to Carigara Bay of the Samar Sea. The...
, returning to Okinawa 16 July. She soon departed Buckner Bay to begin an antishipping sweep in the East China Sea, concentrating her efforts near the mouth of the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
. With the cessation of hostilities in mid‑August, the destroyer returned to Okinawa and was assigned to air‑sea rescue work until 22 September. She then served as courier ship between Wakayama and Yokosuka.
Korea
In December Massey departed for the United States, arriving San Diego 21 December. Reassigned to the Atlantic Fleet, she proceeded to the east coast, arriving New York 16 January 1946. Until the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, 25 June 1950, Massey operated primarily in the Atlantic. Her assignments included midshipmen summer training cruises, her 1946 summer cruise being followed by an official visit to ChileChile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, and hunter-killer team exercises for the Operational Development Force. Twice during this period, 21 July to 19 November 1947 and 1 June to 3 October 1948, she deployed with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.
In February 1951 the destroyer sailed to the west coast of Korea for blockade and bombardment in support of U.N. troops in the Inchon‑Seoul area. On 11 March she returned to the east coast and once again patrolled the North Korean coast, training her guns on personnel and communications centers.
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, and, following ASW operations with Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
units, continued on to the Mediterranean for a 6‑month deployment with the 6th Fleet. During this deployment she joined the carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt in providing medical and material aid to earthquake victims on Cephalonia, one of the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
Ionian islands
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
. She returned to the United States in October and was briefly assigned to Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, for plane guard duties. She reentered Hampton Roads in time for Christmas and resumed antisubmarine activities.
Massey spent the next 6 years operating with the Atlantic Fleet. She conducted various exercises and type training off the east coast and in the Caribbean, and made annual deployments to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet and NATO forces. In 1957 she sailed to northern Europe and the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
for operations with NATO, in lieu of a Mediterranean cruise.
In December 1959, after 15 years of destroyer service, she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navy's ships. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy as well as the most...
where she underwent modernization (FRAM
Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization
The Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization program of the United States Navy extended the lives of World War II-era destroyers by shifting their mission from a surface attack role to that of a submarine hunter...
). Four years later, in April 1963, she put into Boston for further modernization, receiving this time a Drone Antisubmarine Helicopter deck. Following these yard periods she resumed her hunter-killer exercises in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Vietnam
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...
, on the 19th, she transited the Panama Canal and headed into the Pacific. On 28 February she arrived at Kaosiung, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, commencing operations in the South China Sea the following week. The destroyer cruised off the coast of Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, providing gunfire support for ground forces and rescue service for carriers, as well as performing picket duty assignments, until departing Tonkin Gulf 3 July for Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. From the Philippines, she steamed for home via the Suez Canal. She arrived at Newport 17 August having circumnavigated the world. On 28 September she entered the Naval Shipyard at Boston for repairs.
Back in top shape early in 1967, Massey operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean, until departing Newport 2 May for the Mediterranean. The destroyer reached Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
on the 11th and operated with the 6th Fleet for the next 4 months. Steaming to the eastern Mediterranean she relieved destroyer in towing Atlantis to Rhodes after the sloop had been damaged in a collision with a merchant tanker.
USS Liberty incident
Arab-Israeli tensions had then become explosive. After fighting had erupted, word arrived 8 June that Israeli gunboats and aircraft had attacked and damaged technical research ship . Massey and immediately headed toward the stricken ship at flank speed. En route doctors, corpsmen, and emergency medical supplies were transferred from aircraft carrier to the two destroyers. Early the next morning they went alongside Liberty to render aid. That afternoon, as Davis accompanied Liberty to MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, Massey screened America as TG 60.1 steamed through the troubled waters of the eastern Mediterranean.
As the situation in the Middle East eased and open war between Israel and the Arab States ceased, the destroyer steamed to Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, arriving Suda Bay 15 June. Massey continued operations with the 6th Fleet until departing Rota, Spain, 12 September for home, arriving Newport on the 21st.
End of career
The destroyer operated along the Atlantic coast until returning to the Mediterranean in April 1968. Operating with the 6th Fleet until September, Massey arrived back at Newport and operated off the east coast into 1969. In 1969, Massey became a Naval Reserve training ship and operated in that role along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean until she decommissioned and stricken from the register on 17 September 1973. She was sold 13 November 1974 and broken up for scrap.Massey received two battle stars for World War II service and four battle stars for Korean service.