USS Charles E. Brannon (DE-446)
Encyclopedia
USS Charles E. Brannon (DE-446) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort
acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II
. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy
, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket
. Post-war she proudly returned home with one battle star to her credit.
Charles E. Brannon (DE-446) was named in honor of Ensign
Charles E. Brannon
who was awarded the Navy Cross
posthumously for his brave actions during the Battle of Midway
.
She was launched 23 April 1944 by Federal Shipbuilding Co., Newark, New Jersey
; sponsored by Second Lieutenant
D. Brannon, WAG; and commissioned 1 November 1944, Commander E. W. Todd in command.
27 January 1945, Charles E. Brannon escorted cargo ships by way of the Panama Canal
, and the Galapagos and Society Islands
to Manus
, arriving 15 March. Routed on to San Pedro Bay
, Philippine Islands, she began the important task of guarding inter-island convoys. Late in April, she sailed in the screen of the assault forces bound for Tarakan
, Borneo
, off which she lay from 1 to 8 May, covering the landings and giving call fire support. Her effective gunfire won many compliments from the troops whose advance was thereby expedited. Charles E. Brannon gave similar support during the assault on Brunei Bay
which began 10 June.
operating between Okinawa and Hong Kong
. She returned to San Francisco, California
, 1 February and on 21 May 1946 was placed out of commission in reserve at San Diego, California
.
, and, on 23 September 1968, she was sold for scrapping.
service.
Destroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket
Radar picket
A radar picket is a radar-equipped ship, submarine, aircraft, or vehicle used to increase the radar detection range around a force to protect it from surprise attack. Often several detached radar units encircle a force to provide increased cover in all directions.-World War II:Radar picket ships...
. Post-war she proudly returned home with one battle star to her credit.
Charles E. Brannon (DE-446) was named in honor of Ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
Charles E. Brannon
Charles E. Brannon
Charles E. Brannon was born 2 August 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama.-Navy career:Brannon enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve 14 April 1941 for aviation training. Ensign Brannon reported for duty in Torpedo Squadron 8 in carrier Hornet 3 February 1942.-Awarded the Navy Cross:Ensign Brannon was killed...
who was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
posthumously for his brave actions during the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
.
She was launched 23 April 1944 by Federal Shipbuilding Co., Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
; sponsored by Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
D. Brannon, WAG; and commissioned 1 November 1944, Commander E. W. Todd in command.
World War II Pacific Theatre operations
Putting out from New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
27 January 1945, Charles E. Brannon escorted cargo ships by way of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
, and the Galapagos and Society Islands
Society Islands
The Society Islands are a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. They are politically part of French Polynesia. The archipelago is generally believed to have been named by Captain James Cook in honor of the Royal Society, the sponsor of the first British scientific survey of the islands;...
to Manus
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
, arriving 15 March. Routed on to San Pedro Bay
San Pedro Bay (Philippines)
San Pedro Bay is a bay in the Philippines, at the northwest end of Leyte Gulf, about 15 km east-west and 20 km north-south. The bay is bounded on the north and east by Samar and on the east by Leyte Island. It is connected by San Juanico Strait to Carigara Bay of the Samar Sea. The...
, Philippine Islands, she began the important task of guarding inter-island convoys. Late in April, she sailed in the screen of the assault forces bound for Tarakan
Tarakan Island
Tarakan is an island off the coast of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is a marshy island situated in the eastern Celebes Sea, off the northeastern coast of Borneo. The island occupies an area of .-Petroleum:...
, Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
, off which she lay from 1 to 8 May, covering the landings and giving call fire support. Her effective gunfire won many compliments from the troops whose advance was thereby expedited. Charles E. Brannon gave similar support during the assault on Brunei Bay
Brunei Bay
Brunei Bay is the gateway to Brunei and Borneo. It is located 4°45'-5°02'N, 114°58'-115°10'E; east of Bandar Seri Begawan. The Brunei portion of the bay is in two sections separated by a finger of Sarawak about 6km wide at the coast...
which began 10 June.
End-of-war operations
From the beginning of July through mid-September 1945, Charles E. Brannon escorted convoys sailing from the Philippines to Okinawa, then participated in the occupation of ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
operating between Okinawa and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. She returned to San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, 1 February and on 21 May 1946 was placed out of commission in reserve at San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Assigned as Reserve training ship
From August 1946 into 1960, Charles E. Brannon was assigned to the reserve training program. In cruises along the U.S. west coast over weekends and in more extended periods, active reservists manned her in refresher training. From 21 November 1950 to 18 June 1960, Charles E. Brannon performed this service in commissioned status, and since the latter date has been in service under an officer-in-charge, with a reserve officer in command when she puts to sea with her reserve training group. On 23 September 1968 she was struck from the Navy listNavy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
, and, on 23 September 1968, she was sold for scrapping.
Military awards
Charles E. Brannon received one battle star for World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
service.