USS Shelton (DE-407)

USS Shelton (DE-407) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Ensign James A. Shelton, (a naval aviator who was reported missing during the Battle of Midway), she was the first of two U.S. Naval vessels to bear the name.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Shelton.

An undated (c. 1944) wartime image of Shelton underway, exact date and location unknown.
History
United States
NameUSS Shelton
NamesakeJames A. Shelton
BuilderBrown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas
Laid down1 November 1943
Launched18 December 1943
Commissioned4 April 1944
Stricken27 November 1944
FateSunk at 2°33′N 129°18′E by the submarine Ro-41, 3 October 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeJohn C. Butler-class destroyer escort
Displacement1,350 long tons (1,370 t)
Length306 ft (93 m)
Beam36 ft 8 in (11.18 m)
Draft9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)
Installed power12,000 shp (8,900 kW)
Propulsion
Speed24 kn (28 mph; 44 km/h)
Range6,000 nmi (6,900 mi; 11,000 km) at 12 kn (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Complement14 officers, 201 enlisted
Armament

Shelton's keel was laid down on 1 November 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding of Houston, Texas. The destroyer escort was launched on 18 December 1943, sponsored by Mrs. John Shelton, and commissioned on 4 April 1944. After fitting out and loading stores, Shelton steamed out of port on 21 April, in company with Edmonds bound for Bermuda on her shakedown cruise. Upon completion, she underwent post-shakedown availability at the Boston Navy Yard from 25 May – 15 June. She departed Boston on 16 June en route to San Diego via New York City, Hampton Roads, and Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

History

Shelton arrived at San Diego on 6 July and sailed for Pearl Harbor three days later. She stood out from Pearl Harbor on 26 July as part of a convoy proceeding to Eniwetok. The convoy arrived there on 6 August and was dissolved. Shelton was then assigned as a unit in the screen for Task Force 57 (TF 57) — composed of five carriers — and routed to Seeadler Harbor, Admiralty Island. After arriving there on 13 August, Shelton operated in the area until the following month when she was assigned to the Morotai Attack Force (TF 77). The DE was still off Morotai on 3 October in the screen for the escort carriers Fanshaw Bay and Midway when they were attacked by the Japanese submarine RO-41 at location 2°33′N 129°18′E.[1] A torpedo wake was sighted at 1,500 yd (1,400 m) heading for the escort. In evading it, Shelton was hit on the starboard screw by a second torpedo, which caused severe damage and flooding. Fellow destroyer escort Richard M. Rowell came alongside and removed the crew. Shelton was taken under tow but capsized and sank. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 27 November 1944.

Honors

Shelton received one battle star for World War II service. Thirteen of her crew were lost with the ship and remain on duty.

References
  1. Willmott, H.P. (2010). The Last Century of Sea Power, Volume 2: From Washington to Tokyo, 1922—1945. Last Century of Sea Power: From Washington to Tokyo, 1922-1945. Indiana University Press. p. 426. ISBN 9780253004093. LCCN 2008015018.
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