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USS McCormick (DD-223)
Encyclopedia
USS McCormick (DD-223/AG-118) was a Clemson-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during World War II
. She was named for Lieutenant, junior grade
Alexander McCormick, Jr.
McCormick was laid down 11 August 1919 by William Cramp & Sons; launched 14 February 1920; sponsored by Miss Katherine McCormick, sister of Lieutenant (jg.) McCormick; and commissioned 30 August 1920, Lieutenant Commander
L. C. Scheibla in command.
. She then returned to the east coast for deployment with Destroyer Detachment, U. S. Naval Forces in European Waters. There she served in a quasi-diplomatic capacity in the eastern Mediterranean until the spring of 1924, after successful negotiations for a peace treaty between the Allies and Turkey
.
The following year, she was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet. Operating from Cavite
, she served as flagship
for DesDiv 39, later 14, in support of the Yangtze River Patrol and South China Patrol until 1932. On 15 March she was ordered back to the United States and home ported at San Diego, where she decommissioned 14 October 1938.
in the Atlantic. The entry of the U.S. into the worldwide conflict
brought only an increase in antisubmarine activities for the destroyer as she continued her voyages to Iceland
and across the Atlantic.
Through the end of 1942, McCormick plied the North Atlantic on runs to Halifax
, NS Argentia
, and Londonderry Port
. Shifting southward, 7 February 1943, she escorted convoys bound for Casablanca
. On 12 July, on a return voyage, , providing air cover for the convoy, was relieved by . But before Santee departed the area, four U-boat
s were discovered in the convoy’s vicinity. For the next 4 days, planes from the carriers scouted and destroyed all four: Santee, U-160 on the 14th and on the 15th; Core, on the 13th and on the 16th. On the last date, McCormick picked up three survivors from U-67 for later transferral.
McCormick returned to New York 24 July and continued to escort convoys until 5 December. She then joined , TG 27.4, for a quick voyage to Casablanca and back, before overhaul at New York.
The destroyer’s next assignment sent her to Natal, Brazil
, and then Casablanca, escorting . On 1 April 1944, she was ordered to Boston, Massachusetts to resume escort and antisubmarine patrol duties. In May, McCormick returned to transatlantic convoy duty with a run to North Africa
. During the next 4 months, she touched at various ports, including Bizerte
, Oran
, Cherbourg, Falmouth
, Belfast
, and Milford Haven
. Upon her return to Boston, 1 October, she spent 3 months in convoy and patrol operations off the east coast and in the Caribbean before shifting back to the Casablanca run in January 1945.
, Panama Canal Zone
. On 30 June 1945, she was reclassified miscellaneous auxiliary, AG-118, while at the Canal Zone. Two weeks later, she got underway for overhaul at Boston, arriving 21 July. Still undergoing repairs when peace came, McCormick decommissioned 4 October 1945. Her name was struck from the Navy list
24 October 1945 and her hulk was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 15 December 1946.
As of 2005, no other U.S. Navy ship has been named McCormick.
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...
during World War II
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...
. She was named for Lieutenant, junior grade
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Merchant Marine USMM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade...
Alexander McCormick, Jr.
McCormick was laid down 11 August 1919 by William Cramp & Sons; launched 14 February 1920; sponsored by Miss Katherine McCormick, sister of Lieutenant (jg.) McCormick; and commissioned 30 August 1920, 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...
L. C. Scheibla in command.
Service history
Following shakedown, McCormick served a year with Destroyer Squadron 5, Pacific FleetUnited States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. She then returned to the east coast for deployment with Destroyer Detachment, U. S. Naval Forces in European Waters. There she served in a quasi-diplomatic capacity in the eastern Mediterranean until the spring of 1924, after successful negotiations for a peace treaty between the Allies and 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 following year, she was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet. Operating from Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
, she served as 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...
for DesDiv 39, later 14, in support of the Yangtze River Patrol and South China Patrol until 1932. On 15 March she was ordered back to the United States and home ported at San Diego, where she decommissioned 14 October 1938.
World War II
The following year, as hostilities in Europe broke out; McCormick was brought out of the Inactive Reserve. Recommissioned 26 September 1939, she was assigned to Neutrality PatrolNeutrality Patrol
At the beginning of World War II, when Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 started the hostilities in Europe, President Franklin D...
in the Atlantic. The entry of the U.S. into the worldwide conflict
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...
brought only an increase in antisubmarine activities for the destroyer as she continued her voyages to Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
and across the Atlantic.
Through the end of 1942, McCormick plied the North Atlantic on runs to Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, NS Argentia
Naval Station Argentia
Naval Station Argentia is a former base of the United States Navy that operated from 1941-1994. It was established in the community of Argentia in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland, which later became the tenth Canadian province .-Construction:Established under the British-U.S...
, and Londonderry Port
Londonderry Port
Londonderry Port at Lisahally is a port near Derry, Northern Ireland. It is the United Kingdom’s most westerly port, has capacity for 30,000 ton vessels and accepts cruise ships. The current port is on the east bank of the River Foyle at the southern end of Lough Foyle, by the small village of...
. Shifting southward, 7 February 1943, she escorted convoys bound for Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
. On 12 July, on a return voyage, , providing air cover for the convoy, was relieved by . But before Santee departed the area, four U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
s were discovered in the convoy’s vicinity. For the next 4 days, planes from the carriers scouted and destroyed all four: Santee, U-160 on the 14th and on the 15th; Core, on the 13th and on the 16th. On the last date, McCormick picked up three survivors from U-67 for later transferral.
McCormick returned to New York 24 July and continued to escort convoys until 5 December. She then joined , TG 27.4, for a quick voyage to Casablanca and back, before overhaul at New York.
The destroyer’s next assignment sent her to Natal, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and then Casablanca, escorting . On 1 April 1944, she was ordered to Boston, Massachusetts to resume escort and antisubmarine patrol duties. In May, McCormick returned to transatlantic convoy duty with a run to North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. During the next 4 months, she touched at various ports, including Bizerte
Bizerte
Bizerte or Benzert , is the capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia and the northernmost city in Africa. It has a population of 230,879 .-History:...
, Oran
Oran
Oran is a major city on the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Algeria, and the second largest city of the country.It is the capital of the Oran Province . The city has a population of 759,645 , while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1,500,000, making it the second largest...
, Cherbourg, Falmouth
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, and Milford Haven
Milford Haven
Milford Haven is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is situated on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, a natural harbour used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town was founded in 1790 on the north side of the Waterway, from which it takes its name...
. Upon her return to Boston, 1 October, she spent 3 months in convoy and patrol operations off the east coast and in the Caribbean before shifting back to the Casablanca run in January 1945.
Convoys escorted
| Convoy | Escort Group | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HX 158 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
5-13 Nov 1941 | from Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland... to Iceland Iceland Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population... prior to US declaration of war |
|
| ON 37 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
22-30 Nov 1941 | from Iceland to Newfoundland prior to US declaration of war | |
| HX 165 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
17-24 Dec 1941 | from Newfoundland to Iceland | |
| ON 51 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
2-11 Jan 1942 | from Iceland to Newfoundland | |
| HX 172 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
28 Jan-4 Feb 1942 | from Newfoundland to Iceland | |
| ON 65 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
12-19 Feb 1942 | from Iceland to Newfoundland | |
| HX 183 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
MOEF group A1 Mid-Ocean Escort Force Mid-Ocean Escort Force referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys between Canada and the British Isles... |
6-14 April 1942 | from Newfoundland to 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... |
| ON 89 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
MOEF group A1 | 24-26 April 1942 | from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland |
Auxiliary service
On 31 March, McCormick departed Norfolk for temporary duty with SubRon 3 at BalboaBalboa, Panama
Balboa is a district of Panama City, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.- History :The town of Balboa, founded by the United States during the construction of the Panama Canal, was named after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish conquistador credited with discovering the Pacific Ocean...
, Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
. On 30 June 1945, she was reclassified miscellaneous auxiliary, AG-118, while at the Canal Zone. Two weeks later, she got underway for overhaul at Boston, arriving 21 July. Still undergoing repairs when peace came, McCormick decommissioned 4 October 1945. Her name was struck from the Navy list
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...
24 October 1945 and her hulk was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 15 December 1946.
As of 2005, no other U.S. Navy ship has been named McCormick.
External links
- http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/223.htm