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USS Robert Brazier (DE-345)
Encyclopedia
USS Robert Brazier (DE-345) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort
acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II
. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy
, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket
. Post-war, she returned home with one battle star to her credit. Robert Brazier was named for Robert Boyd Brazier
, a gunner aboard a torpedo plane who was killed during the Battle of Midway
and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
.
Robert Brazier was laid down 16 November 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas
; launched 22 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Celia Brazier, mother of Aviation Radioman Brazier; and commissioned 18 May 1944; Lt. Comdr. Donald D. Snyder, Jr., USNR, in command.
off Bermuda
, Robert Brazier arrived at New York
, 19 August 1944, and the next day commenced escort work with a convoy run to Norfolk, Virginia
. There for a week, she served as a school ship
for the Destroyer Training School, conducted tests for the Bureau of Ordnance
, and assumed duties as flagship
, CortDiv 76 which she kept throughout World War II
. Between 27 August and 7 September, she participated in a hunt for a German submarine
reported off the coast. Later that month, she joined task force TF 69 to escort a fast convoy of tankers and transports to Italy
. Completing that run at New York 23 October, she sailed again 10 November, heading south, then west.
Forty-one days later she anchored in Seeadler Harbor
, Manus
. On 26 December she sailed for Hollandia
, whence she escorted tankers to Leyte
, arriving 6 January 1945. Continuing escort duty, she plied the sealanes between Leyte
, Kossol Roads
, and Hollandia
until 19 February when she sailed for Mindoro
and duty with the local defense force there. For the next 2 weeks she patrolled the approaches to Mangarin Bay
and the convoy lanes to Subic Bay
. Then, on 6 March, the destroyer resumed duties as an ocean escort.
for Panay
on the 29th and remained at Iloilo
until 4 May. Then ordered back to Leyte, she prepared for the invasion of Mindanao
. On the 10th, she screened to the seaward of the landing forces in Macajalar Bay
. From the 11th through the 13th, she patrolled in the Bay. On the 14th, she departed Mindanao
for Cebu
, whence she escorted supply ships back to the beachhead and from then, with few interruptions, she remained anchored in Maeajalar Bay until 9 August. Six days later, at Subic Bay
, she received news of the Japanese
acceptance of surrender terms.
and Okinawa. Then, toward the end of the month, the destroyer extended her escort duty to Tokyo Bay
. There on the 21st and 22d, she returned to Luzon
on the 27th and for the next month operated in Philippine waters. On 28 November she got underway for the United States
, arriving at San Pedro, California, 17 December.
, she joined the 19th Fleet and commenced inactivation. Decommissioned 16 September 1946, she remained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, berthed initially at San Diego, California
, then at Bremerton, Washington
, until struck from the Navy list
, 1 January 1968. She was subsequently destroyed as a target.
Destroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
acquired by the U.S. Navy 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...
. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket
Radar picket
A radar picket is a radar-equipped ship, submarine, aircraft, or vehicle used to increase the radar detection range around a force to protect it from surprise attack. Often several detached radar units encircle a force to provide increased cover in all directions.-World War II:Radar picket ships...
. Post-war, she returned home with one battle star to her credit. Robert Brazier was named for Robert Boyd Brazier
Robert Boyd Brazier
Robert Boyd Brazier was an Aviation Radioman in the United States Navy. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in the Battle of Midway, in which he was mortally wounded.-Navy career:...
, a gunner aboard a torpedo plane who was killed during the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
and 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...
.
Robert Brazier was laid down 16 November 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas
Orange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
; launched 22 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Celia Brazier, mother of Aviation Radioman Brazier; and commissioned 18 May 1944; Lt. Comdr. Donald D. Snyder, Jr., USNR, in command.
World War II North Atlantic operations
Following shakedownShakedown (testing)
A shakedown is a period of testing or a trial journey undergone by a ship, aircraft or other craft and its crew before being declared operational. Statistically, a proportion of the components will fail after a relatively short period of use, and those that survive this period can be expected to...
off Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, Robert Brazier arrived at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, 19 August 1944, and the next day commenced escort work with a convoy run to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
. There for a week, she served as a school ship
School ship
A training ship is a ship used to train students as sailors. The term is especially used for ships employed by navies to train future officers. Essentially there are two types: those used for training at sea and old hulks used to house classrooms....
for the Destroyer Training School, conducted tests for the Bureau of Ordnance
Bureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
, and assumed duties 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...
, CortDiv 76 which she kept throughout 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...
. Between 27 August and 7 September, she participated in a hunt for a German 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...
reported off the coast. Later that month, she joined task force TF 69 to escort a fast convoy of tankers and transports to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Completing that run at New York 23 October, she sailed again 10 November, heading south, then west.
Forty-one days later she anchored in Seeadler Harbor
Seeadler Harbor
Seeadler Harbor, also known as Port Seeadler, is located on Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea and played an important role in World War II...
, Manus
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
. On 26 December she sailed for Hollandia
Jayapura
Jayapura City is the capital of Papua province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea. It is situated on Yos Sudarso Bay . Its approximate population in 2002 was 200,000....
, whence she escorted tankers to Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
, arriving 6 January 1945. Continuing escort duty, she plied the sealanes between Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
, Kossol Roads
Kossol Roads
Kossol Roads, Palau is a large body of reef-enclosed water north of Babeldaob. During World War II, it was used by the United States Navy as the location of a floating resupply and repair base....
, and Hollandia
Jayapura
Jayapura City is the capital of Papua province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea. It is situated on Yos Sudarso Bay . Its approximate population in 2002 was 200,000....
until 19 February when she sailed for Mindoro
Mindoro
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
and duty with the local defense force there. For the next 2 weeks she patrolled the approaches to Mangarin Bay
Mangarin Bay
Mangarin Bay is situated to the east of Mangarin Point, on the west coast of Mindoro, among the Philippine Islands. The bay is shoal and sheltered from the wind by the point and Ilin Island. Magarin point terminates in a long sandy pit off which the depth is 4 to 5 fathoms. Farther in the water...
and the convoy lanes to Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
. Then, on 6 March, the destroyer resumed duties as an ocean escort.
Supporting the invasion of the Philippines
Assigned to the 7th Amphibious Force in late April, Robert Brazier departed LeyteLeyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
for Panay
Panay
Panay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident...
on the 29th and remained at Iloilo
Iloilo
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
until 4 May. Then ordered back to Leyte, she prepared for the invasion of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. On the 10th, she screened to the seaward of the landing forces in Macajalar Bay
Macajalar Bay
Macajalar Bay is a deep water bay located north of the Province of Misamis Oriental on the Mindanao island, southern part the Philippines. Cagayan de Oro City, being the regional center of Northern Mindanao , is located in one of its deep-water harbor...
. From the 11th through the 13th, she patrolled in the Bay. On the 14th, she departed Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
for Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
, whence she escorted supply ships back to the beachhead and from then, with few interruptions, she remained anchored in Maeajalar Bay until 9 August. Six days later, at Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
, she received news of the Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
acceptance of surrender terms.
End-of-war activity
For the remainder of August and into September, she escorted ships between Subic BaySubic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
and Okinawa. Then, toward the end of the month, the destroyer extended her escort duty to Tokyo Bay
Tokyo Bay
is a bay in the southern Kantō region of Japan. Its old name was .-Geography:Tokyo Bay is surrounded by the Bōsō Peninsula to the east and the Miura Peninsula to the west. In a narrow sense, Tokyo Bay is the area north of the straight line formed by the on the Miura Peninsula on one end and on...
. There on the 21st and 22d, she returned to Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
on the 27th and for the next month operated in Philippine waters. On 28 November she got underway for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, arriving at San Pedro, California, 17 December.
Post-war decommissioning
Later shifted to San Diego, CaliforniaSan 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...
, she joined the 19th Fleet and commenced inactivation. Decommissioned 16 September 1946, she remained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, berthed initially at 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...
, then at 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...
, until struck from the Navy list
Navy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
, 1 January 1968. She was subsequently destroyed as a target.
See also
- List of United States Navy ships
- World War IIWorld War IIWorld 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...
- DestroyerDestroyerIn 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...
- Destroyer escortDestroyer escortA destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...