USS La Vallette (DD-448)
History | |
---|---|
United States | |
Name | La Vallette |
Namesake | Rear Admiral Elie A. F. La Vallette |
Builder | Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company |
Laid down | 27 November 1941 |
Launched | 21 June 1942 |
Commissioned | 12 August 1942 |
Decommissioned | 16 April 1946 |
Stricken | 1 February 1974 |
Fate | Sold 26 July 1974 to Peru as parts donor, scrapped |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Fletcher-class destroyer |
Displacement | 2,100 tons |
Length | 376 ft 3 in (114.68 m) |
Beam | 39 ft 8 in (12.09 m) |
Draft | 13 ft (4.0 m) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) |
Range |
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Complement | 273 officers and enlisted |
Armament |
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USS La Vallette (DD-448) was a
La Vallette was laid down 27 November 1941 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey; launched 21 June 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Lucy La Vallette Littel, great-granddaughter of Rear Admiral LaVallette; and commissioned 12 August 1942.
History
After training and escort duty in the
Battle of Rennell Island
Her first contact with the enemy came on 29 January 1943, at about 19:00 when she sighted a formation of 11 to 13 Japanese bombers, in three close formation sections 12 miles west of her position. The aircraft were identified as “Bettys” carrying out strafing and torpedo runs. One torpedo was reported as passing astern and the USS Chicago was hit by two torpedoes, causing heavy damage and bringing her to a dead stop, necessitating her being taken in tow. La Vallette claimed to have shot down three aircraft using her 5-inch guns.
The following day, the damaged Chicago, was attacked again, 34 miles south of Rennell Island by a group of 11 Bettys at an altitude of 500 feet, from the ship's port beam. The starboard section of aircraft attacked La Vallette, two aircraft were claimed shot-down and her 20mm and 40mm guns had three aircraft approaching from the starboard section under fire, two of which passed over the ship in flames. Five others passed about 600 yards from her port side, with two more reported to be on fire. Five torpedoes were dropped and as the ship swung left, a torpedo hit the destroyer in her forward engine room, killing 22 of her crew and causing heavy damage. The USS Chicago was sunk, as a result of four more torpedo hits.
Following this action, La Vallette was towed to Espiritu Santo by the USS Navajo, arriving on 3 February 1943.[1]
Once repaired, La Vallette left 6 August for
Later actions
On 1 February 1944, she took part in the
Assigned to escort convoys during the first assaults on the
La Vallette was badly damaged by a
Honors
La Vallette received 10
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.