USS De Haven (DD-469)

USS De Haven (DD-469) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, the first Navy ship named for Lieutenant Edwin J. De Haven USN (1819–1865). De Haven was the first Fletcher-class ship lost in World War II, having been in commission only 133 days.

For other ships with the same name, see USS De Haven.

History
United States
NameDe Haven
NamesakeEdwin J. De Haven
BuilderBath Iron Works
Laid down27 September 1941
Launched28 June 1942
Commissioned21 September 1942
FateSunk by Japanese aircraft off Savo Island on 1 February 1943
General characteristics
Class and typeFletcher-class destroyer
Displacement2,050 long tons (2,080 t)
Length376 ft 6 in (114.76 m)
Beam39 ft 8 in (12.09 m)
Draft17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
Propulsion
  • 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)
  • geared turbines
  • 2 propellers
Speed38 knots (70 km/h; 44 mph)
Range6,500 nmi (12,000 km; 7,500 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement329 officers and enlisted
Armament

De Haven was laid down by the Bath Iron Works Corporation at Bath, Maine on 27 September 1941 and launched on 28 June 1942 by Miss H. N. De Haven, granddaughter of Lieutenant De Haven. The ship was commissioned on 21 September 1942, Commander Charles E. Tolman in command.

Service history

De Haven sailed from Norfolk, Va. and reached Tongatapu, Tonga Islands, 28 November 1942 to escort a convoy of troopships to Guadalcanal to relieve the Marines who had been there since the invasion landings in August. De Haven screened the transports off Guadalcanal from 7 to 14 December, then sailed out of Espiritu Santo and Nouméa in the continuing Solomon Islands operations. She patrolled in the waters of the Southern Solomons to stop the "Tokyo Express", the nightly effort to supply the beleaguered Japanese troops still fighting on the invaded islands, and took part in two bombardments of Kolombangara island during January 1943.

On 1 February 1943, De Haven screened six LCTs and a seaplane tender establishing a beachhead at Maravovo on Guadalcanal. While escorting two of the landing craft back to their base in the afternoon, De Haven was warned of an impending air attack by Japanese aircraft supporting Operation Ke. She sighted nine unidentified planes and opened fire as six swung sharply toward her. She shot down three of these planes, but not before all six had dropped their bombs. De Haven was hit by three bombs and further damaged by a near miss. One bomb hit the superstructure squarely, killing the commanding officer instantly. All was lost after the first hit and the ship began to settle rapidly, sinking in Ironbottom Sound about 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) east of Savo Island. One of the LCTs she had escorted rescued the survivors. De Haven lost 167 killed and 38 wounded.

Her wreck was discovered by Robert Ballard in 1992.

Honors

De Haven received one battle star for her World War II service.

References
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