August 15, 1943



Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) ships underway in the Solomon Islands. ​

The Fletcher-class destroyers are (from front to rear): USS O’Bannon (DD 450), USS Chevalier (DD 451) and USS Taylor (DD 468). Photographed from the flagship

USS Nicholas (DD 449),

while the ships were en route to the landings at Vella Lavella, which took place on the same day.

National Archives photo



Sister Fletchers



The Nicholas and O'Bannon were laid down side by side at Bath Iron Works, Maine on March 3, 1941. The Nicholas was launched, February 19, 1942 followed by the O'Bannon on March 14, 1942.




Fletcher Armaments



USS Callaghan (DD 792) shown here in 1944-45, demonstrates the standard armament of five 5-inch guns, six to ten 40mm Bofors guns 7-10 20mm Oerlikon cannon, two depth charge racks, six depth charge projectors, and 10 21-inch torpedo tubes on a 2500-ton hull.

U.S. Navy Destroyers:

Evolving and Engaged |Defense Media Network




The USS Nicholas (DD-449)



Named after Samuel Nicholas,

the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines, Nicholas remained the senior Marine officer throughout the American Revolution and is considered to be the first Marine Commandant.

Source

The USS Nicholas (DD-449) was commissioned June 4, 1942.



The USS O'Bannon (DD-450)



The USS O'Bannon was named after US Marine Corps Lt. Presley Neville O’Bannon. Prince Hamet Karamali awarded O’Bannon the Mameluke sword in appreciation for restoring his throne during the First Barbary Wars. Lieutenant O’Bannon’s heroic service on the "the shores of Tripoli" is commemorated in the Mameluke sword replica worn by U.S. Marine Corps officers since 1825. Source

The USS O'Bannon (DD-450) was commissioned June 26,1942.



Ready • Aim • Fire


Initially, these new to the Pacific, Fletcher destroyers were drastically under equipped for anti-aircraft defenses and ship to ship combat.

40 mm twins were mounted when they became available in 1943.


USS Kidd (DD-661), a Fletcher based in Baton Rouge, LA, was used in the filming of Greyhound starring Tom Hanks.







Fletcher Fighters



OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, FLETCHER, RADFORD, JENKINS, LA VALLETTE, NICHOLAS (FLAGSHIP), O'BANNON, CHEVALIER, STRONG, TAYLOR, ROSS AND HOPEWELL SERVED IN THE FRONT LINE AND COLLECTIVELY EARNED THREE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS, A NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION AND 118 BATTLE STARS.


A great strength was the intensity and dedication of their crews. "Each old sailor cherishes his own private inner shrine that is filled with the memories of those great old guys he knew so long ago," wrote Al Grimes of the Strong. "They did what was needed when it was needed, regardless of the hours and risk - and it was no big deal. Each of us knew many like this; they were everywhere." While three ships (Radford, Nicholas and O’Bannon) were awarded individual Presidential Unit Citations and one ( Taylor ) a Navy Unit Commendation, all their crews were deserving and all could take pride in their collective accomplishments. They were pioneers.


SOURCE: Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet




John Bailey



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