USS Humphreys: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Clemson-class destroyer}} |
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|Ship image=[[File:USS Humphreys (DD-236) underway c1935.jpg|300px|USS Humphreys (DD-236) in the mid-1930s]] |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship country= |
|Ship country=United States |
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|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}} |
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}} |
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|Ship builder=[[New York Shipbuilding]] |
|Ship builder=[[New York Shipbuilding]] |
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|Ship laid down=31 July 1918 |
|Ship laid down=31 July 1918 |
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|Ship launched=28 July 1919 |
|Ship launched=28 July 1919 |
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|Ship acquired= |
|Ship acquired= |
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|Ship commissioned=21 July 1920 |
|Ship commissioned=21 July 1920 |
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|Ship struck=13 November 1945 |
|Ship struck=13 November 1945 |
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|Ship reinstated= |
|Ship reinstated= |
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|Ship honors=7 [[battle stars]] |
|Ship honors=7 [[battle stars]]<ref name=DANFS /> |
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|Ship fate= |
|Ship fate=Sold for scrap, 26 August 1946 |
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|Ship notes= |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox ship characteristics |
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|Ship class= [[Clemson |
|Ship class= [[Clemson-class destroyer|''Clemson''-class]] [[destroyer]] |
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|Ship displacement=1,190 tons |
|Ship displacement=1,190 tons |
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|Ship length=314 |
|Ship length={{convert|314|ft|5|in|m}} |
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|Ship beam=31 |
|Ship beam={{convert|31|ft|8|in|m}} |
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|Ship draft=9 |
|Ship draft={{convert|9|ft|3|in|m}} |
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|Ship propulsion=26,500 shp (20 MW); |
|Ship propulsion=*26,500 shp (20 MW); |
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*geared turbines, |
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*2 screws |
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|Ship speed=35 |
|Ship speed={{convert|35|kn|km/h}} |
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|Ship range=4,900 |
|Ship range=*{{convert|4,900|nmi|km}} |
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* @ 15 [[knot (unit)|kt]] |
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|Ship complement=101 officers and enlisted |
|Ship complement=101 officers and enlisted |
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|Ship sensors= |
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|Ship EW= |
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|Ship armament=4 x 4" |
|Ship armament=4 x [[4"/50 caliber gun|{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}/50]] guns, 1 x [[3"/23 caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}/25]] gun, 2 x [[M1919 Browning machine gun|.30 cal (7.62 mm)]], 12 x [[American 21 inch torpedo|21 inch (533 mm)]] tt. |
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==Construction and commissioning== |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' was launched 28 July 1919 by [[New York Shipbuilding Corporation]]; sponsored by Miss Letitia A. Humphreys, great-granddaughter of Joshua Humphreys; and commissioned at [[Philadelphia]] 21 July 1920.<ref name=DANFS>{{cite DANFS |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/h/humphreys.html |title= Humphreys }}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | After completing her shakedown training in [[New England]] waters, ''Humphreys'' sailed 14 August for special duty in the [[Mediterranean]]. For the next year she operated primarily in the eastern Mediterranean with [[Turkey|Turkish]] ships, protecting American and Turkish interests in the area during the conflict which followed the Russian [[Russian Revolution of 1917|Revolution]]. ''Humphreys'' did surveying work and acted as station and communications ship. In November 1920 she evacuated civilians from the [[Crimea]] during the last stages of the [[Russian Civil War]], and, until August 1921, operated off [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], Turkey, and [[Egypt]] on maneuvers. She sailed from [[Constantinople]] 6 August 1921, arriving [[Newport, Rhode Island]] 23 August, and spent the rest of the year in training operations.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' spent the next 2 years on ship and fleet training exercises in Atlantic and [[Caribbean]] waters. She sailed 21 January 1925 via the [[Panama Canal Zone]] for [[San Diego, California]], and after her arrival 12 March took part in important fleet maneuvers off the [[California]] coast. In June she returned to New York and her regular schedule of training in the Caribbean. ''Humphreys'' maintained this operational pattern until decommissioning at Philadelphia 10 January 1930, taking part in annual reserve training cruises during the summers 1926–29.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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| ⚫ | After completing her shakedown training in [[New England]] waters, ''Humphreys'' sailed 14 August for special duty in the [[Mediterranean]]. For the next year she operated primarily in the eastern Mediterranean with [[Turkey|Turkish]] ships, protecting American and Turkish interests in the area during the conflict which followed the Russian [[Russian Revolution of 1917|Revolution]]. ''Humphreys'' did surveying work and acted as station and communications ship. In November 1920 she evacuated civilians from the [[Crimea]] during the last stages of the [[Russian |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' spent the next 2 years on ship and fleet training exercises in Atlantic and [[Caribbean]] waters. She sailed 21 January 1925 via the [[Panama Canal Zone]] for [[San Diego, California]], and after her arrival 12 March took part in important fleet maneuvers off the [[California]] coast. In June she returned to New York and her regular schedule of training in the Caribbean. ''Humphreys'' maintained this operational pattern until decommissioning at Philadelphia 10 January 1930, taking part in annual reserve training cruises during the summers |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' recommissioned at Philadelphia 13 June 1932, and sailed 15 August for maneuvers on the West Coast. The ship took part in two fleet problems, vital tools in perfecting equipment and tactics, before sailing 19 April 1934 for New York. Upon her arrival 31 May ''Humphreys'' resumed her readiness operations on the East Coast, taking part in a fleet exercise off [[Haiti]] in October. From the Caribbean the ship returned to San Diego 8 November 1934 and for the next year took part in important carrier training exercises in the Pacific. Acting as screen ship and plane guard, ''Humphreys'' helped perfect the tactics of [[aircraft carrier]] warfare which were to exert a strong influence on the coming war. She remained on the West Coast, with occasional voyages to [[Pearl Harbor]] and [[Midway Atoll|Midway]], until she was decommissioned at San Diego on 14 September 1938.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' recommissioned once more 26 September 1939 as the beginning of the war in Europe necessitated an increase in America's readiness. ''Humphreys'' conducted shakedown off San Diego and sailed 13 November to join the [[Neutrality Patrol]] in the Caribbean, designed to protect American shipping. During May and June 1940 the ship took part in a sound school at Newport to improve her [[antisubmarine]] capability, and sailed 4 December from [[Norfolk, Virginia]] for San Diego, where she arrived 2 days before Christmas. There she continued Neutrality Patrol duty and engaged in antisubmarine training off California.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' recommissioned at Philadelphia 13 June 1932, and sailed 15 August for maneuvers on the West Coast. The ship took part in two fleet problems, vital tools in perfecting equipment and tactics, before sailing 19 April 1934 for New York. Upon her arrival 31 May ''Humphreys'' resumed her readiness operations on the East Coast, taking part in a fleet exercise off [[Haiti]] in October. From the Caribbean the ship returned to San Diego 8 November 1934 and for the next year took part in important carrier training exercises in the Pacific. Acting as screen ship and plane guard, ''Humphreys'' helped perfect the tactics of [[aircraft carrier]] warfare which were to exert a strong influence on the coming war. She remained on the West Coast, with occasional voyages to [[Pearl Harbor]] and [[Midway Atoll|Midway]], until she was decommissioned at San Diego on 14 September 1938. |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' recommissioned once more 26 September 1939 as the beginning of the war in Europe necessitated an increase in America's readiness. ''Humphreys'' conducted shakedown off San Diego and sailed 13 November to join the [[Neutrality Patrol]] in the Caribbean, designed to protect American shipping. During May and June 1940 the ship took part in a sound school at Newport to improve her [[antisubmarine]] capability, and sailed 4 December from [[Norfolk, Virginia]] for San Diego, where she arrived 2 days before Christmas. There she continued Neutrality Patrol duty and engaged in antisubmarine training off California. |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' was in San Diego when the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] brought the United States into the war 7 December 1941. During the critical early months she operated as a coastal escort ship between [[San Pedro, California|San Pedro]] and [[Seattle, Washington]] but in May she sailed northward to [[Kodiak, Alaska]], arriving 31 May 1942. In the bleak [[Aleutian Islands]] she escorted transports, patrolled American-held islands, and engaged in exercises with [[USS Honolulu (CL-48)|''Honolulu'']], [[USS Indianapolis (CA-35)|''Indianapolis'']], and several destroyers. ''Humphreys'' arrived at San Francisco 11 November and entered [[Mare Island Navy Yard]] for conversion to high-speed transport.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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| ⚫ | She was reclassified '''APD-12''' on 1 December 1942; and, following shakedown training, arrived at Pearl Harbor 31 December to prepare for duty in the western Pacific. After amphibious training in Hawaiian waters, the ship sailed to [[Noumea]] 22 January 1943 and began ferrying troops and supplies from advance bases to [[Guadalcanal]], [[Tulagi]], and [[Florida Island]]. During these critical months as the ship repeatedly steamed to the [[Solomon Islands]] in support of amphibious assaults, she often fought off bombing and strafing attacks by Japanese aircraft.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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| ⚫ | ''Humphreys'' was in San Diego when the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] brought the United States into the war 7 December 1941. During the critical early months she operated as a coastal escort ship between [[San Pedro, California|San Pedro]] and [[Seattle, Washington]] but in May she sailed northward to [[Kodiak, Alaska]], arriving 31 May 1942. In the bleak [[Aleutian Islands]] she escorted transports, patrolled American-held islands, and engaged in exercises with [[USS Honolulu (CL-48)|''Honolulu'']], [[USS Indianapolis (CA-35)|''Indianapolis'']], and several destroyers. ''Humphreys'' arrived at San Francisco 11 November and entered [[Mare Island Navy Yard]] for conversion to high-speed transport. |
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[[File:USS Humphreys (APD-12) and USS Sands (APD-13) at Townsville in 1943.JPG|thumb|USS ''Humphreys'' (APD-12) and USS ''Sands'' (APD-13) at [[Townsville, Queensland|Townsville]] in May 1943.]] |
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| ⚫ | She was reclassified '''APD-12''' on 1 December 1942; and, following shakedown training, arrived at Pearl Harbor 31 December to prepare for duty in the western Pacific. After amphibious training in Hawaiian waters, the ship sailed to [[Noumea]] 22 January 1943 and began ferrying troops and supplies from advance bases to [[Guadalcanal]], [[Tulagi]], and [[Florida Island]]. During these critical months as the ship repeatedly steamed to the [[Solomon Islands]] in support of amphibious assaults, she often fought off bombing and strafing attacks by Japanese aircraft. |
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After training landings ''Humphreys'' embarked elements of the 1st Cavalry Division at Nouméa and transported them to [[ |
After training landings ''Humphreys'' embarked elements of the 1st Cavalry Division at Nouméa and transported them to [[Townsville]], Australia, in preparation for [[Operation Chronicle]], landings on [[Woodlark Island|Woodlark]] and [[Kiriwina]] Islands. Arriving Townsville 20 May 1943, the ship sailed for [[Milne Bay]] 21 June, and from there landed troops and equipment on Woodlark 23 June without enemy opposition. This first landing of the long New Guinea campaign was also the first for Admiral [[Daniel E. Barbey]]'s [[7th Fleet]] Amphibious Force ("VII Phib"), and provided invaluable experience for the numerous amphibious operations to come.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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''Humphreys'' sailed to [[Brisbane]] for repairs during July and August, and returned to [[Milne Bay]] 15 August 1943. There she prepared for VII Phib's next move up the coast of New Guinea to Lae. After putting their troops ashore early 4 September, the high-speed transports remained off the beach to protect landing craft from Japanese air attack. The Australian troops landed by ''Humphreys'' and the other ships soon took Lae, and the ship departed 7 September with casualties for Buna. On the 10th she returned with three other transports for a night sweep of Huon Gulf, driving away supply barges and bombarding Japanese positions around Lae. |
''Humphreys'' sailed to [[Brisbane]] for repairs during July and August, and returned to [[Milne Bay]] 15 August 1943. There she prepared for VII Phib's next move up the coast of New Guinea to Lae. After putting their troops ashore early 4 September, the high-speed transports remained off the beach to protect landing craft from Japanese air attack. The Australian troops landed by ''Humphreys'' and the other ships soon took Lae, and the ship departed 7 September with casualties for Buna. On the 10th she returned with three other transports for a night sweep of Huon Gulf, driving away supply barges and bombarding Japanese positions around Lae.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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Next on Barbey's amphibious timetable in New Guinea was [[Finschhafen]], where ''Humphreys'' and her sister ships carried out a surprise landing 22 September. After bringing reinforcements 8 days later, the ship took casualties to Buna 8 October and arrived at Goodenough Island 19 October for amphibious exercises. |
Next on Barbey's amphibious timetable in New Guinea was [[Finschhafen]], where ''Humphreys'' and her sister ships carried out a surprise landing 22 September. After bringing reinforcements 8 days later, the ship took casualties to Buna 8 October and arrived at Goodenough Island 19 October for amphibious exercises.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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Seizure of [[New Britain]] was vital to the advance toward the Philippines as it provided control of the strategic [[Vitiaz Strait|Vitiaz]] and [[Dampier Strait (Papua New Guinea)|Dampier |
Seizure of [[New Britain]] was vital to the advance toward the Philippines as it provided control of the strategic [[Vitiaz Strait|Vitiaz]] and [[Dampier Strait (Papua New Guinea)|Dampier Straits]]. The first step of the operation was to gain control of the harbor at [[Arawe]]. ''Humphreys'' sailed with other amphibious units for southern New Britain, arriving 15 December; put ashore elements of the [[112th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|112th Cavalry Regiment]]{{citation needed|date=April 2015|reason=Uncited. DANFS source does not specify unit, only "raiders"}} in rubber boats to seize harbor islands; then stood offshore to provide gunfire support before retiring to Buna that afternoon.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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''Humphreys'' also took part in the [[Cape Gloucester]] landings 26 December, remaining in the [[Cape Sudest]] area into February 1944. She then sailed for the landings in the Admiralties 27 February, arriving off Los Negros 2 days later. ''Humphreys'' landed troops at Hyane; steamed to Cape Sudest; and, when resistance stiffened in early March, returned off Hyane with reinforcements. |
''Humphreys'' also took part in the [[Cape Gloucester (Papua New Guinea)|Cape Gloucester]] landings 26 December, remaining in the [[Cape Sudest]] area into February 1944. She then sailed for the landings in the Admiralties 27 February, arriving off Los Negros 2 days later. ''Humphreys'' landed troops at Hyane; steamed to Cape Sudest; and, when resistance stiffened in early March, returned off Hyane with reinforcements. |
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In April the ship began preparations for the three-pronged amphibious attack on central New Guinea, the Hollandia operation. ''Humphreys'' landed troops at [[Teluk Yos Sudarso|Humboldt Bay]] 22 April against light opposition, and remained off the beaches providing gunfire support. Following the assault, she returned to Buna and sailed 12 May for the United States. |
In April the ship began preparations for the three-pronged amphibious attack on central New Guinea, the Hollandia operation. ''Humphreys'' landed troops at [[Teluk Yos Sudarso|Humboldt Bay]] 22 April against light opposition, and remained off the beaches providing gunfire support. Following the assault, she returned to Buna and sailed 12 May for the United States.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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She arrived at San Francisco 30 May, and was converted to carry "frogmen," the Navy's skilled Underwater Demolition Teams. Sailing again 30 July, ''Humphreys'' trained in Hawaiian waters before sailing to Manus 28 September to join the invasion fleet for the return to the Philippines. Sailing 12 October, she carried UDT Team No. 5 to the Leyte beaches 18 October, remaining close in to provide fire support during this reconnaissance. Next day she patrolled Leyte Gulf for Japanese submarines, and continued this work during the main landings 20 October 1944. The veteran ship assisted in shooting down a bomber 21 October before sailing in convoy for Manus. |
She arrived at San Francisco 30 May, and was converted to carry "frogmen," the Navy's skilled Underwater Demolition Teams. Sailing again 30 July, ''Humphreys'' trained in Hawaiian waters before sailing to Manus 28 September to join the invasion fleet for the return to the Philippines. Sailing 12 October, she carried UDT Team No. 5 to the Leyte beaches 18 October, remaining close in to provide fire support during this reconnaissance. Next day she patrolled Leyte Gulf for Japanese submarines, and continued this work during the main landings 20 October 1944. The veteran ship assisted in shooting down a bomber 21 October before sailing in convoy for Manus.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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The invasion of Luzon was next on ''Humphreys''' schedule. After stopping at [[Noumea]] and Hollandia, she sortied from the Palaus 1 January 1945 with the Lingayen invasion group. Steaming through the Philippines the ships encountered [[kamikaze|suicide attacks]] and shot down many planes. These attacks became more intense as ''Humphreys'' entered [[Lingayen Gulf]] 6 January; and next day as her UDT team swam ashore for vital reconnaissance work, the ship provided gunfire cover. She remained in the Gulf until sailing with a convoy 10 January, |
The invasion of Luzon was next on ''Humphreys''' schedule. After stopping at [[Noumea]] and Hollandia, she sortied from the Palaus 1 January 1945 with the Lingayen invasion group. Steaming through the Philippines the ships encountered [[kamikaze|suicide attacks]] and shot down many planes. These attacks became more intense as ''Humphreys'' entered [[Lingayen Gulf]] 6 January; and next day as her UDT team swam ashore for vital reconnaissance work, the ship provided gunfire cover. She remained in the Gulf until sailing with a convoy 10 January, one day after the main landings.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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The ship arrived at Ulithi 23 January 1945 and took on a new duty, screening logistics groups during at-sea replenishment and refueling of the wide-ranging carrier striking forces. She screened refueling operations for [[5th Fleet]] escort carriers covering the Iwo Jima landings, then steamed on to [[Iwo Jima]] itself 8 March 1945. There ''Humphreys'' acted as screening ship until arriving Leyte with a convoy 17 March. |
The ship arrived at Ulithi 23 January 1945 and took on a new duty, screening logistics groups during at-sea replenishment and refueling of the wide-ranging carrier striking forces. She screened refueling operations for [[United States Fifth Fleet|5th Fleet]] escort carriers covering the Iwo Jima landings, then steamed on to [[Iwo Jima]] itself 8 March 1945. There ''Humphreys'' acted as screening ship until arriving Leyte with a convoy 17 March.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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==Fate== |
== Fate == |
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As an important preliminary to the main landings on Okinawa, ''Humphreys'' took part in the assault of [[Keise Shima]] 31 March, screening LST's and performing escort duties until 3 April when she sailed for Ulithi. This last and largest of Pacific landings was then well underway, and the ship escorted resupply convoys from Ulithi to bitterly contested Okinawa until returning to Pearl Harbor 4 June 1945. From there she sailed to San Diego where she was reclassified '''DD-236''' on 20 July 1945. ''Humphreys'' decommissioned 26 October 1945 and was sold for scrap 26 August 1946 to [[National Metal & Steel Corporation]], Terminal Island, Calif. |
As an important preliminary to the main landings on Okinawa, ''Humphreys'' took part in the assault of [[Keise Shima]] 31 March, screening LST's and performing escort duties until 3 April when she sailed for Ulithi. This last and largest of Pacific landings was then well underway, and the ship escorted resupply convoys from Ulithi to bitterly contested Okinawa until returning to Pearl Harbor 4 June 1945. From there she sailed to San Diego where she was reclassified '''DD-236''' on 20 July 1945. ''Humphreys'' decommissioned 26 October 1945 and was sold for scrap 26 August 1946 to [[National Metal & Steel Corporation]], Terminal Island, Calif.<ref name=DANFS /> |
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==References== |
== References == |
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* {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/h/humphreys.html}} |
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*{{DANFS}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/236.htm |
* {{cite web |url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/236.htm |title= USS HUMPHREYS (DD-236 / APD-12) |website= Navsource.org }} |
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{{Clemson class destroyer}} |
{{Clemson class destroyer}} |
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{{Flush-decker high speed transport}} |
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[[Category:World War II destroyers of the United States]] |
[[Category:World War II destroyers of the United States]] |
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[[Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]] |
[[Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Ships built |
[[Category:Ships built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation]] |
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[[Category:1919 ships]] |
[[Category:1919 ships]] |
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[[Category:Ships of the Aleutian Islands campaign]] |
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[[sl:USS Humphreys (DD-236)]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:43, 7 December 2023
_underway_c1935.jpg)
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Namesake | Joshua Humphreys |
| Builder | New York Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 31 July 1918 |
| Launched | 28 July 1919 |
| Commissioned | 21 July 1920 |
| Decommissioned | 26 October 1945 |
| Stricken | 13 November 1945 |
| Honors and awards | 7 battle stars[1] |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 26 August 1946 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Clemson-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 1,190 tons |
| Length | 314 feet 5 inches (95.83 m) |
| Beam | 31 feet 8 inches (9.65 m) |
| Draft | 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 35 knots (65 km/h) |
| Range |
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| Complement | 101 officers and enlisted |
| Armament | 4 x 4 in (102 mm)/50 guns, 1 x 3 in (76 mm)/25 gun, 2 x .30 cal (7.62 mm), 12 x 21 inch (533 mm) tt. |
USS Humphreys (DD-236/APD-12) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Joshua Humphreys, a pioneer US shipbuilder.
Construction and commissioning[edit]
Humphreys was launched 28 July 1919 by New York Shipbuilding Corporation; sponsored by Miss Letitia A. Humphreys, great-granddaughter of Joshua Humphreys; and commissioned at Philadelphia 21 July 1920.[1]
1920s[edit]
After completing her shakedown training in New England waters, Humphreys sailed 14 August for special duty in the Mediterranean. For the next year she operated primarily in the eastern Mediterranean with Turkish ships, protecting American and Turkish interests in the area during the conflict which followed the Russian Revolution. Humphreys did surveying work and acted as station and communications ship. In November 1920 she evacuated civilians from the Crimea during the last stages of the Russian Civil War, and, until August 1921, operated off Palestine, Turkey, and Egypt on maneuvers. She sailed from Constantinople 6 August 1921, arriving Newport, Rhode Island 23 August, and spent the rest of the year in training operations.[1]
Humphreys spent the next 2 years on ship and fleet training exercises in Atlantic and Caribbean waters. She sailed 21 January 1925 via the Panama Canal Zone for San Diego, California, and after her arrival 12 March took part in important fleet maneuvers off the California coast. In June she returned to New York and her regular schedule of training in the Caribbean. Humphreys maintained this operational pattern until decommissioning at Philadelphia 10 January 1930, taking part in annual reserve training cruises during the summers 1926–29.[1]
1930s[edit]
Humphreys recommissioned at Philadelphia 13 June 1932, and sailed 15 August for maneuvers on the West Coast. The ship took part in two fleet problems, vital tools in perfecting equipment and tactics, before sailing 19 April 1934 for New York. Upon her arrival 31 May Humphreys resumed her readiness operations on the East Coast, taking part in a fleet exercise off Haiti in October. From the Caribbean the ship returned to San Diego 8 November 1934 and for the next year took part in important carrier training exercises in the Pacific. Acting as screen ship and plane guard, Humphreys helped perfect the tactics of aircraft carrier warfare which were to exert a strong influence on the coming war. She remained on the West Coast, with occasional voyages to Pearl Harbor and Midway, until she was decommissioned at San Diego on 14 September 1938.[1]
Humphreys recommissioned once more 26 September 1939 as the beginning of the war in Europe necessitated an increase in America's readiness. Humphreys conducted shakedown off San Diego and sailed 13 November to join the Neutrality Patrol in the Caribbean, designed to protect American shipping. During May and June 1940 the ship took part in a sound school at Newport to improve her antisubmarine capability, and sailed 4 December from Norfolk, Virginia for San Diego, where she arrived 2 days before Christmas. There she continued Neutrality Patrol duty and engaged in antisubmarine training off California.[1]
World War II[edit]
Humphreys was in San Diego when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into the war 7 December 1941. During the critical early months she operated as a coastal escort ship between San Pedro and Seattle, Washington but in May she sailed northward to Kodiak, Alaska, arriving 31 May 1942. In the bleak Aleutian Islands she escorted transports, patrolled American-held islands, and engaged in exercises with Honolulu, Indianapolis, and several destroyers. Humphreys arrived at San Francisco 11 November and entered Mare Island Navy Yard for conversion to high-speed transport.[1]
She was reclassified APD-12 on 1 December 1942; and, following shakedown training, arrived at Pearl Harbor 31 December to prepare for duty in the western Pacific. After amphibious training in Hawaiian waters, the ship sailed to Noumea 22 January 1943 and began ferrying troops and supplies from advance bases to Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida Island. During these critical months as the ship repeatedly steamed to the Solomon Islands in support of amphibious assaults, she often fought off bombing and strafing attacks by Japanese aircraft.[1]
_and_USS_Sands_(APD-13)_at_Townsville_in_1943.JPG)
After training landings Humphreys embarked elements of the 1st Cavalry Division at Nouméa and transported them to Townsville, Australia, in preparation for Operation Chronicle, landings on Woodlark and Kiriwina Islands. Arriving Townsville 20 May 1943, the ship sailed for Milne Bay 21 June, and from there landed troops and equipment on Woodlark 23 June without enemy opposition. This first landing of the long New Guinea campaign was also the first for Admiral Daniel E. Barbey's 7th Fleet Amphibious Force ("VII Phib"), and provided invaluable experience for the numerous amphibious operations to come.[1]
Humphreys sailed to Brisbane for repairs during July and August, and returned to Milne Bay 15 August 1943. There she prepared for VII Phib's next move up the coast of New Guinea to Lae. After putting their troops ashore early 4 September, the high-speed transports remained off the beach to protect landing craft from Japanese air attack. The Australian troops landed by Humphreys and the other ships soon took Lae, and the ship departed 7 September with casualties for Buna. On the 10th she returned with three other transports for a night sweep of Huon Gulf, driving away supply barges and bombarding Japanese positions around Lae.[1]
Next on Barbey's amphibious timetable in New Guinea was Finschhafen, where Humphreys and her sister ships carried out a surprise landing 22 September. After bringing reinforcements 8 days later, the ship took casualties to Buna 8 October and arrived at Goodenough Island 19 October for amphibious exercises.[1]
Seizure of New Britain was vital to the advance toward the Philippines as it provided control of the strategic Vitiaz and Dampier Straits. The first step of the operation was to gain control of the harbor at Arawe. Humphreys sailed with other amphibious units for southern New Britain, arriving 15 December; put ashore elements of the 112th Cavalry Regiment[citation needed] in rubber boats to seize harbor islands; then stood offshore to provide gunfire support before retiring to Buna that afternoon.[1]
Humphreys also took part in the Cape Gloucester landings 26 December, remaining in the Cape Sudest area into February 1944. She then sailed for the landings in the Admiralties 27 February, arriving off Los Negros 2 days later. Humphreys landed troops at Hyane; steamed to Cape Sudest; and, when resistance stiffened in early March, returned off Hyane with reinforcements.
In April the ship began preparations for the three-pronged amphibious attack on central New Guinea, the Hollandia operation. Humphreys landed troops at Humboldt Bay 22 April against light opposition, and remained off the beaches providing gunfire support. Following the assault, she returned to Buna and sailed 12 May for the United States.[1]
She arrived at San Francisco 30 May, and was converted to carry "frogmen," the Navy's skilled Underwater Demolition Teams. Sailing again 30 July, Humphreys trained in Hawaiian waters before sailing to Manus 28 September to join the invasion fleet for the return to the Philippines. Sailing 12 October, she carried UDT Team No. 5 to the Leyte beaches 18 October, remaining close in to provide fire support during this reconnaissance. Next day she patrolled Leyte Gulf for Japanese submarines, and continued this work during the main landings 20 October 1944. The veteran ship assisted in shooting down a bomber 21 October before sailing in convoy for Manus.[1]
The invasion of Luzon was next on Humphreys' schedule. After stopping at Noumea and Hollandia, she sortied from the Palaus 1 January 1945 with the Lingayen invasion group. Steaming through the Philippines the ships encountered suicide attacks and shot down many planes. These attacks became more intense as Humphreys entered Lingayen Gulf 6 January; and next day as her UDT team swam ashore for vital reconnaissance work, the ship provided gunfire cover. She remained in the Gulf until sailing with a convoy 10 January, one day after the main landings.[1]
The ship arrived at Ulithi 23 January 1945 and took on a new duty, screening logistics groups during at-sea replenishment and refueling of the wide-ranging carrier striking forces. She screened refueling operations for 5th Fleet escort carriers covering the Iwo Jima landings, then steamed on to Iwo Jima itself 8 March 1945. There Humphreys acted as screening ship until arriving Leyte with a convoy 17 March.[1]
Fate[edit]
As an important preliminary to the main landings on Okinawa, Humphreys took part in the assault of Keise Shima 31 March, screening LST's and performing escort duties until 3 April when she sailed for Ulithi. This last and largest of Pacific landings was then well underway, and the ship escorted resupply convoys from Ulithi to bitterly contested Okinawa until returning to Pearl Harbor 4 June 1945. From there she sailed to San Diego where she was reclassified DD-236 on 20 July 1945. Humphreys decommissioned 26 October 1945 and was sold for scrap 26 August 1946 to National Metal & Steel Corporation, Terminal Island, Calif.[1]
References[edit]
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
External links[edit]
- "USS HUMPHREYS (DD-236 / APD-12)". Navsource.org.
