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USS Thomas (DE-102)
Encyclopedia
USS Thomas (DE-102) was the second United States Navy
ship to be named after Clarence Crase Thomas
.
The second USS Thomas was a Cannon class
destroyer escort
in the United States Navy during World War II
. She was laid down by Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., on 16 January 1943; launched on 31 July 1943; and commissioned on 21 November 1943.
submarine
s: U-709, U-233, and U-548. U-233 was rammed by the Thomas after being forced to the surface by depth charges. Thomas rescued 29 survivors, including the Captain.
After being decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida
in March 1946, Thomas was transferred to the Chinese Navy
on 29 October 1948 and renamed Tai Ho (DE-23). Her name was deleted from the US Naval List on 22 December 1948.
"Tai Ho" was involved in a standdown on September 30th 1949 with three American merchant ships of the Isbrandtsen Line off Shanghai. No explanation was given as to the cause but given the location of the incidient, it would be fair guess that the "Tai Ho" was trying to blockade supplies from getting into the city. One American skipper radioed that an "armed ship was mencing" his vessel. Eventually the ROC vessel pulled away without further action. (AP Wire (ajb20700str) 1949)
Tai Ho escaped to Taiwan
in 1949 with Nationalist
forces. She was stricken from the Republic of China Naval List in 1972 and broken up for scrap.USS Thomas page on uboat.net
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...
ship to be named after Clarence Crase Thomas
Clarence Crase Thomas
Clarence Crase Thomas was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I. Thomas became the first U.S. naval officer to die in the war, after his ship was torpedoed by a German submarine...
.
The second USS Thomas was a Cannon class
Cannon class destroyer escort
The Cannon class destroyer escorts were built primarily for ocean Anti-Submarine Warfare escort service during World War II. The lead ship, was commissioned on 26 September 1943 at Wilmington, Delaware. The class was also known as the DET type from their Diesel Electric Tandem drive. Of the 116...
destroyer escort
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...
in the United States 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 was laid down by Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., on 16 January 1943; launched on 31 July 1943; and commissioned on 21 November 1943.
History
Thomas operated off the east coast during World War II, and was involved in the sinking of three GermanGermany
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...
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...
s: U-709, U-233, and U-548. U-233 was rammed by the Thomas after being forced to the surface by depth charges. Thomas rescued 29 survivors, including the Captain.
After being decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in March 1946, Thomas was transferred to the Chinese Navy
Naval history of China
The naval history of China dates back thousands of years, with archives existing since the late Spring and Autumn Period about the ancient navy of China and the various ship types used in war. China was leading maritime power in the years 1405-1433, when Chinese shipbuilders began to build massive...
on 29 October 1948 and renamed Tai Ho (DE-23). Her name was deleted from the US Naval List on 22 December 1948.
"Tai Ho" was involved in a standdown on September 30th 1949 with three American merchant ships of the Isbrandtsen Line off Shanghai. No explanation was given as to the cause but given the location of the incidient, it would be fair guess that the "Tai Ho" was trying to blockade supplies from getting into the city. One American skipper radioed that an "armed ship was mencing" his vessel. Eventually the ROC vessel pulled away without further action. (AP Wire (ajb20700str) 1949)
Tai Ho escaped to Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
in 1949 with Nationalist
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
forces. She was stricken from the Republic of China Naval List in 1972 and broken up for scrap.USS Thomas page on uboat.net
Honors
DE-102 received four battle stars for World War II service.| Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or... |
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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... |
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... w/ 4 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
World War II Victory Medal |