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USS Doherty (DE-14)
Encyclopedia
USS Doherty (DE-14) was an Evarts class destroyer escort
constructed for the United States Navy
during World War II
. She was sent off into the Pacific Ocean
to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese
submarines and fighter aircraft
. She performed escort and antisubmarine operations in dangerous battle areas and returned home safely at war's end.
USS Doherty was named in honor of John Joseph Doherty
, who received a Distinguished Flying Cross
for his heroic work in the Marshall Islands
which resulted in him being lost in action. The ship, originally intended for transfer to Great Britain
, was launched on 29 August 1942 as Berry (BDE-14) by Mare Island Navy Yard; retained for use by the United States Navy
; named Doherty on 6 January 1943; and commissioned on 6 February 1943, Lieutenant Commander
A. Jackson, Jr. in command.
to Cold Bay, Alaska
from 23 April-11 May 1943, Doherty served on escort duty between the west coast
and Pearl Harbor
from 23 May-15 September. She sailed from San Francisco, California
on 15 September for duty in Alaska
n waters where she escorted merchant ships and occasionally served as plane guard for United States Army Air Force bomber strikes over the Kuriles. Doherty returned to San Francisco for overhaul on 28 September 1944, then sailed to San Diego, California
, for training.
Leaving San Diego on 23 November, Doherty operated as a training vessel
in submarine
exercises at Pearl Harbor
from 2 December 1944-5 February 1945. She arrived at Guam
on 16 February on escort duty and for the rest of the war plied between Guam and Okinawa on escort, patrol and air-sea rescue missions.
Sailing from Guam
on 12 October, Doherty arrived at San Pedro, California on 28 October, was decommissioned on 14 December 1945, and sold for scrap on 26 December 1946.
Evarts class destroyer escort
The Evarts class destroyer escorts were destroyer escorts launched in the United States in 1942–1944. They served in World War II as convoy escorts and anti-submarine warfare ships. They were also known as the GMT or "short hull" DE class, with GMT standing for General Motors Tandem Diesel...
constructed for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
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...
. She was sent off into the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
submarines and fighter aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. She performed escort and antisubmarine operations in dangerous battle areas and returned home safely at war's end.
USS Doherty was named in honor of John Joseph Doherty
John Joseph Doherty
John Joseph Doherty, born 26 February 1919 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve 1 March 1940 and was appointed aviation cadet 9 July 1940.-Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross:...
, who received a Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for his heroic work in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
which resulted in him being lost in action. The ship, originally intended for transfer to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, was launched on 29 August 1942 as Berry (BDE-14) by Mare Island Navy Yard; retained for use by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
; named Doherty on 6 January 1943; and commissioned on 6 February 1943, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
A. Jackson, Jr. in command.
World War II
After escorting a convoyConvoy
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...
to Cold Bay, Alaska
Cold Bay, Alaska
Cold Bay is a city in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States.Cold Bay is one of the main commercial centers of the Alaska Peninsula, and is home to Cold Bay Airport.-History:...
from 23 April-11 May 1943, Doherty served on escort duty between the west coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
and Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
from 23 May-15 September. She sailed from 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...
on 15 September for duty in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
n waters where she escorted merchant ships and occasionally served as plane guard for United States Army Air Force bomber strikes over the Kuriles. Doherty returned to San Francisco for overhaul on 28 September 1944, then sailed to 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...
, for training.
Leaving San Diego on 23 November, Doherty operated as a training vessel
School ship
A training ship is a ship used to train students as sailors. The term is especially used for ships employed by navies to train future officers. Essentially there are two types: those used for training at sea and old hulks used to house classrooms....
in submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
exercises at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
from 2 December 1944-5 February 1945. She arrived at Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
on 16 February on escort duty and for the rest of the war plied between Guam and Okinawa on escort, patrol and air-sea rescue missions.
Sailing from Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
on 12 October, Doherty arrived at San Pedro, California on 28 October, was decommissioned on 14 December 1945, and sold for scrap on 26 December 1946.
Awards
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American Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
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Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was... |
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World War II Victory Medal |