The uss laffey survived waves of kamikazes off okinawa. Dd 724 was named in honor of laffey dd 459, sunk during the naval battle for guadalcanal november 1942. The uss laffey dd724 was laid down 28 june 1943 by bath iron. The previous uss laffey was dd459 and she was a benson class dd who appears in the us line at tier 8. Tin can sailors the national association of destroyer veterans. 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. Nov 01, 2017 for those that are interested in the history of the naval surface conflict around guadalcanal, including stories about dd459 uss laffey, i highly recommend james hornfischers book, neptunes inferno. Okinawa was an island close enough to the japanese homeland to allow japanese planes to attack the u. Jan 06, 2019 commissioned february 8, 1944, the uss laffey dd 724 had already amassed a proud record before her heroic stand on april 16, 1945. Two warships have been named in honor of seaman bartlett laffey, a civil war medal of honor recipient. 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. Naval history division washington uss laffey ii dd724 bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841, enlisted in the navy 17 march 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. We ask that you enter only enough information about yourself that your shipmates can recall you.
Both ships were named in honor of seaman bartlett laffey, a civil war medal of honor recipient. Ordeal of uss laffey dd724 naval history and heritage. The uss laffey dd724 fought at normandy, iwo jima, philippines and took on 22 kamikazes in 80 minutes at okinawa. Screening duties completed, the ship returned to england, arriving at. One member of the class has been preserved as a museum, uss laffey dd724.
Commissioned february 8, 1944, the uss laffey dd724 had already amassed a proud record before her heroic stand on april 16, 1945. Laffey, daughter of medal of honor recipient s1c bartlett laffey. Uss laffey dd724 destroyer warship military factory. You would be purchasing an exact copy of the uss laffey dd 724 cruise book during the korean war era. The destroyer that took on wwii kamikazes is coming to the. Zenghh white pillowcase doublesided pattern 150x50cm,160x50cm59 x 19. Uss laffey dd 724 naval cruise book, class of 1952, page 96 of 112 has the largest online yearbook collection of college, university, high school, middle school, junior high school, military, naval cruise books and yearbooks. On april 16th, 1945 a small destroyer in the pacific was attacked by 22 kamikaze planes.
Becton, was awarded the navy cross for his actions that april day in 1945. Uss laffey dd 724 uss laffey dd 724 was an of world war ii, laid down and launched in 1943, and commissioned in february 1944. She was the first destroyer named for bartlett laffey laffey was laid down on january 1941 by bethlehem shipbuilding company, san francisco, california. Sumnerclass destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the united states navy to be named for bartlett laffey. On march 29th, 1975 uss laffey was decommissioned yet again.
The cd comes in a plastic sleeve with a custom label. Korean war uss laffeydd724 2 korean war battle stars. March 98 world war ii feature birth of a destroyer. Uss laffey dd724, severely damaged by bombs and kamikaze hits some 30 nautical miles northwest of okinawa, on 16 april 1945. Laffey earned five battle stars during the second world war and another two in korea. Laffey continued to make yearly mediterranean cruises with the 6th fleet and sailed in many operational and training exercises across the atlantic ocean and caribbean sea.
You would be purchasing the uss laffey dd 724 cruise book during this time period. Us navy photo mel gibson plans to direct a film about the ferocious kamikaze attack on uss laffey dd724, according to a report published by the hollywood reporter. Uss laffey dd724, photographed from uss pce851, on okinawa radar picket station number 1 after being hit by kamikaze aircraft and. The destroyer that took on wwii kamikazes is coming to the big. Washington the president of the united states takes pleasure in presenting the presidential unit citation to the united states ship laffey. Most sailors consider the cruise book one of their most valued treasures you would be purchasing the uss laffey dd 724 cruise book during.
Uss laffey dd 724 naval cruise book, class of 1952. Office of the chief of naval operations naval history division washington uss laffey ii dd724 bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841, enlisted in the navy 17 march 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. Seaman laffey was awarded the medal of honor for his stand against confederate forces on 5 march 1864. 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. Julian becton, who commanded the destroyer uss laffey dd 724 during wwii, wrote the foreword to this fine history of the destroyer uss luce dd 522. 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 second uss laffey dd 724 was laid down 28 june 1943 by bath iron works, bath, maine. Tin can sailors the national association of destroyer veterans uss laffey dd 724 volunteer information. 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. Us navy photo mel gibson plans to direct a film about the ferocious kamikaze attack on uss laffey dd 724, according to a report published by the hollywood reporter.
World cruise feb 1 1954 aug 20 cruise book bring the cruise book to life with this multimedia presentation this cd will exceed your expectations a great part of naval history. History channel video dogfights uss laffey may be viewed onboard uss. 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. The destroyer uss laffey dd724 became a famous hero ship after surviving an 80minute attack by 22 japanese kamikaze planes and conventional bombers on april 16, 1945, during the battle of okinawa. It covers the ships and the conflicts around guadalcanal during late 1942 in great detail. The destroyer laffey dd724 fought for 80 minutes against 22 japanese kamikaze planes and conventional bombers on april 16, 1945. 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. The courage, superb seamanship and indomitable determination of her officers and men enabled the laffey to defeat the enemy against almost insurmountable odds, and her brilliant performance in this action, reflects the highest credit upon herself and the united states naval service. Bring the cruise book to life with this multimedia presentation. Sumnerclass destroyer, which was constructed during world war ii, laid down and launched in 1943, and commissioned in february 1944. The destroyer broke up their tight formation and prevented further attacks. Some years ago i visited patriot point in charleston, south carolina.
She has now sprung some very bad leaks and is need of dry dock service. Bath iron works on the banks of the kennebec river in bath, maine, 12 miles from the sea, is the shipyard known as the bath iron works, where uss laffey dd 724 was built. Commander frederick julian becton, captain of the destroyer uss laffey dd 724, took the radio message his communications officer handed him on april 12, 1945, but the concerned look on the young officers face made becton suspect that it was not good news. Sumner class destroyer who survived a fierce kamikaze attack during world war ii battle of okinawa in 1945. Both destroyers bravely fought against kamikaze attacks during the battle of okinawa. The laffey was sent to the south pacific to join in the naval. Apr 02, 2016 the fighting lady, uss yorktown cv10 is the big draw here, and with good reason, but visitors should not skip over the other two naval vessels, the uss laffey, ww2 destroyer dd 724, and the uss clagmore, ss343, a guppy iii class submarine. She was the first destroyer named for bartlett laffey.
Uss laffey, the embattled destroyer, survived horrific damage from attacks by 22 japanese aircraft off okinawa. While there i toured the aircraft carrier uss yorktown, the destroyer. 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. Uss laffey dd724 received five battle stars for her service in world war 2 as well as a us presidential unit.
The fighting lady, uss yorktown cv10 is the big draw here, and with good reason, but visitors should not skip over the other two naval vessels, the uss laffey, ww2 destroyer dd724, and the uss clagmore, ss343, a guppy iii class submarine. Sumnerclass destroyer, which was constructed during. Conger, usn, c o of the uss laffeydd724, was awarded the bronze star medal and combat v, for heroic achievement or service during military operations against enemy forces, 27, feb. The heroic story of her survival due to the efforts of captain f. She participated in the korean war and was active until decommissioned in 1975. She survived the korean war and 25 more years of cold war sailing. See more ideas about uss laffey, battleship and navy ships. Uss laffey dd 724 world cruise book log korea 1952 cd. Uss laffey was launched on november 21, 1943, and was commissioned on february 8, 1944.
On april 16, 1945, the destroyer uss laffey dd724 got crashed by seven kamikaze planes and hit by bombs dropped by two other japanese aircraft. Stricken from the navy register in 1977, laffey is now displayed with the aircraft carrier yorktown, and submarine clamagore. 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. Navy laffeys commanding officer, commander frederick j. Apr 05, 2016 zenghh white pillowcase doublesided pattern 150x50cm,160x50cm59 x 19. How uss laffey survived a vicious kamikaze attack off okinawa. Uss laffey dd724 is the most decorated world war ii era us destroyer still in existence. The second laffey was built as a sumnerclass destroyer by bath iron works of maine. This view shows the group 21 20mm guns on laffeys starboard side, abreast of her bridge nh 75436. The story of the uss laffey is one of uncommon bravery and perseverance in battle and a tribute to all members of the american military. Each page has been placed on a cd for years of enjoyable computer viewing. History channel video dogfights uss laffey may be viewed onboard uss laffey at patriots point. After participating in the june 1944 normandy landings in france, where the crew battled german land batteries and provided gunfire support for the infantry ashore, the ship headed for duty in the pacific.
Uss laffey dd724 in world war ii uss laffey association. Diary of a destroyer by ron surels valley graphics, 1994, 208 pages. Its a piece of history and its the only one of the sumner class destroyers thats still alive and floating. Uss laffey dd 724 is the most decorated world war ii era us destroyer still in existence. Most sailors consider the cruise book one of their most valued treasures. Uss laffey dd 459 was a bensonclass destroyer of the united states navy during world war ii. Hell from the heavens is the history of the laffey, a wwii destroyer which had an incredible battle during the invasion of okinawa in the spring of 1945. 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. Bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841, enlisted in the navy on 17 march 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. Please keep in mind that this list does only include records of people who submitted their information for publication on this website. With the staff at patriots point, we preserve and maintain the ship, its records, memories, letters, photos, videos, etc. 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. After being attacked by 22 japanese kamikaze planes, the uss laffey refused to surrender. Uss laffey dd724 us navy korean war project page 1.
Jan 25, 2012 uss laffey dd 724 returns to patriots point. Navy laffey s commanding officer, commander frederick j. Uss laffey dd 724, severely damaged by bombs and kamikaze hits some 30 nautical miles northwest of okinawa, on 16 april 1945. Laffey earned five battle stars and a presidential unit citation for her world war ii service and two battle stars for her korean war service. The table below contains the names of sailors who served aboard the uss laffey dd 724. On 5 march 1864, the confederates launched a heavy attack on union positions at yazoo city, miss. Uss laffey was launched on november 21, 1943, and was commissioned on february 8, 1944 the allen m. Conger, usn, c o of the uss laffey dd 724, was awarded the bronze star medal and combat v, for heroic achievement or service during military operations against enemy forces, 27, feb. Uss laffey dd724 uss laffey dd724 was an of world war ii, laid down and launched in 1943, and commissioned in february 1944. In the midst of heated battle laffey landed a 12pound howitzer and her crew. This view shows the group 21 20mm guns on laffey s starboard side, abreast of her bridge nh 75436. Uss laffey dd 724 1952 world and korean cruise book.
Despite enemy rifle fire which cut up the gun carriage and severed the rammer, laffey. The destroyer uss laffey dd 724 became a famous hero ship after surviving an 80minute attack by 22 japanese kamikaze planes and conventional bombers on april 16, 1945, during the battle of okinawa. Jan aug 1952 world korean cruise book rare find bring the cruise book to life with this multimedia presentation. Uss laffey dd 724 received five battle stars for her service in world war 2 as well as a us presidential unit. Navy commander frederick julian becton, captain of the destroyer uss laffey dd 724, took the radio message his communications officer handed him on april 12, 1945, but the concerned look on the young officers face made.