USS Gwin (DD-772/DM-33/MMD-33) was a Robert H. Smith-class

Robert H. Smith class destroyer

The Robert H. Smith class of destroyer minelayers was built by the United States during World War II.These vessels were all originally laid down as Allen M. Sumner class destroyers and converted during construction throughout 1944. In that time the United States produced 12 Robert H. Smith class...

 destroyer minelayer in 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...

. She was named for William Gwin

William Gwin

William Gwin may refer to:* William M. Gwin , American medical doctor and politician* William Gwin , officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War...

.

Gwin was launched by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, San Pedro, California, 9 April 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Jesse W. Tarbill, second cousin and sponsor of the previous ; and commissioned 30 September 1944 at Los Angeles, Commander F. S. Steinke in command.
After shakedown along the California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 coast, Gwin sailed for the Pacific theatre as flagship

Flagship

A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...

 of Mine Squadron 3, reaching 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...

 3 January 1945.