.gif)
USS Pillsbury (DE-133)
Encyclopedia
USS Pillsbury (DE-133) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort
built for the U.S. Navy during World War II
. She served in the Atlantic Ocean
and provided destroyer escort protection against submarine
and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. She returned at war's end with five battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation.
She was named after Rear Admiral
John E. Pillsbury
, known as having been one of the world’s foremost geographers and as an authority of the Gulf Stream
. Actively identified with the National Geographic Society
for many years, he was president of the society at the time of his death, 30 December 1919.
Pillsbury (DE–133) was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas
, 18 July 1942; launched 10 January 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Elsie G. Richardson; and commissioned 7 June 1943, Lt. Comdr. W. Parker, USNR, in command. Parker would later be succeeded by Francis L. Dale
(later owner of the Cincinnati Reds
, and a member of Richard M. Nixon's campaign staff.)
Pillsbury’s first duty was as flagship
for Escort Division 4, escorting convoys into Casablanca
and Gibraltar
. Pillsbury then reported to Task Group
21.12, consisting of and four destroyer escorts, on hunter killer
patrol to seek out and destroy enemy submarines operating along or near convoy routes from the United States to Europe.
. The U-boat immediately submerged for deep evasive tactics. Pillsbury and raced to the scene and Pillsbury made initial sound contact and attacked with hedgehogs
. The depth charges forced the U-boat to the surface, but the German sailors were determined to fight to a finish with their torpedo
es. Flaherty joined Pillsbury, and in a murderous crossfire made short work of U–515. Six officers, including the Captain, and fifty-seven of the crew were captured.
After repair at Norfolk, Virginia
, the hunter-killers sailed from Norfolk in May with a special mission to “bring one back live.”
islands, sound contact was made on a U-boat trying to penetrate the destroyer screen for a shot at the Guadalcanal. Two pilots sighted the submarine running under the surface, and splashed the sea with gunfire to point out the contact to Pillsbury, , and rushing to the attack. Their depth charges blasted a hole in the outer hull of the submarine and her inexperienced captain, believing his boat was doomed, surfaced and ordered the crew to abandon ship, which they did while leaving her engines running. Pillsbury lowered a boarding party, led by Lt. Albert David
. The party boarded the still-circling U–505, climbed its conning tower and stormed down the hatches, fully expecting to meet stiff resistance. Finding the boat deserted, the boarders set about collecting charts, code books, and papers, tearing out delayed-action demolition charges
, closing valves, and plugging leaks. For this demonstration of conspicuous gallantry and achievement, Pillsbury was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Lt. David was awarded the Medal of Honor
and two other members of the boarding party were awarded the Navy Cross
. The U-boat's captain, five officers, and fifty-three of her crew were rescued, taken prisoner, then held incommunicado to keep the boat's capture secret. U-505 was towed 2,500 miles to Bermuda
and revealed some of the German Navy
’s most guarded secrets. The U-505 is now permanently displayed at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
.
ended, Pillsbury and USS Pope (DE-134)
escorted the first surrendered Nazi U-boat, U–858, from mid-Atlantic to Cape May, New Jersey
after placing a prize crew
aboard.
, fitted out with the latest equipment, redesignated a radar picket ship, DER–133, in August 1954 and recommissioned 15 March 1955. After refresher training and shakedown Pillsbury sailed for Newport, Rhode Island
, to assume her duties as a radar
guardship acting as an element of the protective radar screens around the United States. During 1957-1960 Pillsbury made seven picket patrols on the Atlantic Barrier, five trips to Argentia, Newfoundland,a European visit to Portsmouth, England and La Havre, France and one trip to Summerside, Prince Edward Island
. She decommissioned 20 June 1960; was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
1 July 1965; and was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, Maryland, in 1966.
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...
built for 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...
. She served in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and provided destroyer escort protection against 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...
and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. She returned at war's end with five battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation.
She was named after Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
John E. Pillsbury
John E. Pillsbury
John Elliott Pillsbury was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.-Biography:Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Pillsbury was appointed midshipman in 1862 and commissioned an ensign in 1868...
, known as having been one of the world’s foremost geographers and as an authority of the Gulf Stream
Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...
. Actively identified with the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
for many years, he was president of the society at the time of his death, 30 December 1919.
Pillsbury (DE–133) was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas
Orange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
, 18 July 1942; launched 10 January 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Elsie G. Richardson; and commissioned 7 June 1943, Lt. Comdr. W. Parker, USNR, in command. Parker would later be succeeded by Francis L. Dale
Francis L. Dale
Francis Lykins Dale was an American businessman and Republican political operative.- Early life :Dale graduated from Duke University and obtained a law degree from the University of Virginia...
(later owner of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and a member of Richard M. Nixon's campaign staff.)
World War II North Atlantic operations
After shakedownShakedown (testing)
A shakedown is a period of testing or a trial journey undergone by a ship, aircraft or other craft and its crew before being declared operational. Statistically, a proportion of the components will fail after a relatively short period of use, and those that survive this period can be expected to...
Pillsbury’s first duty was 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...
for Escort Division 4, escorting convoys into Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
and Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. Pillsbury then reported to Task Group
Task force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
21.12, consisting of and four destroyer escorts, on hunter killer
Hunter-killer Group
During World War II Battle of the Atlantic, the Allies realized that to combat the threat posed by the U-boats a more aggressive strategy was needed than simply providing convoys with escorts...
patrol to seek out and destroy enemy submarines operating along or near convoy routes from the United States to Europe.
Sinking the German Submarine U-515
On the night of 8 April 1944, planes from Guadalcanal attacked a surfaced German U-boatU-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
. The U-boat immediately submerged for deep evasive tactics. Pillsbury and raced to the scene and Pillsbury made initial sound contact and attacked with hedgehogs
Hedgehog (weapon)
The Hedgehog was an anti-submarine weapon developed by the Royal Navy during World War II, that was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers to supplement the depth charge. The weapon worked by firing a number of small spigot mortar bombs from spiked fittings...
. The depth charges forced the U-boat to the surface, but the German sailors were determined to fight to a finish with their torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
es. Flaherty joined Pillsbury, and in a murderous crossfire made short work of U–515. Six officers, including the Captain, and fifty-seven of the crew were captured.
After repair at Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, the hunter-killers sailed from Norfolk in May with a special mission to “bring one back live.”
Capturing the German Submarine U-505
On 4 June 1944, about 100 miles off the Cape VerdeCape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
islands, sound contact was made on a U-boat trying to penetrate the destroyer screen for a shot at the Guadalcanal. Two pilots sighted the submarine running under the surface, and splashed the sea with gunfire to point out the contact to Pillsbury, , and rushing to the attack. Their depth charges blasted a hole in the outer hull of the submarine and her inexperienced captain, believing his boat was doomed, surfaced and ordered the crew to abandon ship, which they did while leaving her engines running. Pillsbury lowered a boarding party, led by Lt. Albert David
Albert David
Albert Leroy David was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II and a recipient of the Medal of Honor...
. The party boarded the still-circling U–505, climbed its conning tower and stormed down the hatches, fully expecting to meet stiff resistance. Finding the boat deserted, the boarders set about collecting charts, code books, and papers, tearing out delayed-action demolition charges
Time bomb
A time bomb is a bomb whose detonation is triggered by a timer. The use time bombs has been for various purposes ranging from insurance fraud to warfare to assassination; however, the most common use has been for politically-motivated terrorism.-Construction:The explosive charge is the main...
, closing valves, and plugging leaks. For this demonstration of conspicuous gallantry and achievement, Pillsbury was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Lt. David was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
and two other members of the boarding party were 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...
. The U-boat's captain, five officers, and fifty-three of her crew were rescued, taken prisoner, then held incommunicado to keep the boat's capture secret. U-505 was towed 2,500 miles to Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
and revealed some of the German Navy
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
’s most guarded secrets. The U-505 is now permanently displayed at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
The Museum of Science and Industry is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA in Jackson Park, in the Hyde Park neighborhood adjacent to Lake Michigan. It is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition...
.
Sinking of German Submarine U-546
On 24 April 1945 Pillsbury, as a member of Task Unit 22.7.1 operating in the North Atlantic, depth charged and sank U-546.Escorting a German Submarine to Cape May
After hostilities with GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
ended, Pillsbury and USS Pope (DE-134)
USS Pope (DE-134)
USS Pope was an Edsall-class destroyer escort built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and provided destroyer escort protection against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys....
escorted the first surrendered Nazi U-boat, U–858, from mid-Atlantic to Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
after placing a prize crew
Prize crew
Prize crew is a term used to indicate a number of crew members of a ship chosen to take over the operations of a captured ship.In the early days of sailing and up into the American Civil War, capturing enemy ships was quite common...
aboard.
Post-War Decommissioning
In 1947, Pillsbury was placed out of commission, in reserve, in the Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet.Redesignated Radar Picket Ship DER-133
In June 1954 the vessel was moved to the Philadelphia Naval ShipyardPhiladelphia Naval Shipyard
The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995...
, fitted out with the latest equipment, redesignated a radar picket ship, DER–133, in August 1954 and recommissioned 15 March 1955. After refresher training and shakedown Pillsbury sailed for Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, to assume her duties as a radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
guardship acting as an element of the protective radar screens around the United States. During 1957-1960 Pillsbury made seven picket patrols on the Atlantic Barrier, five trips to Argentia, Newfoundland,a European visit to Portsmouth, England and La Havre, France and one trip to Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Summerside is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is the second largest city in the province and the principal municipality for the western part of the island.- History :...
. She decommissioned 20 June 1960; was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
1 July 1965; and was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, Maryland, in 1966.