USS LeHardy

Career

Built As:	HMS Duff (BDE-20)
Laid down:	15 April 1942
Launched As:	21 November 1942, as HMS Duff (BDE-20)
Commissioned:	15 May 1943
Renamed:	USS LeHardy, 19 February 1943
Battle Stars:	2 for World War II
Decommissioned:	25 October 1945
Struck:	13 November 1945
Fate:	Sold 26 December 1946
General Characteristics
Class:	Evarts class destroyer escort
Type:	GMT (diesel-electric tandem motor drive, short hull, 3" guns)
Displacement:	1,140 (std), 1,430 tons (full)
Dimensions:	289' 5" (oa), 283' 6" (wl) x 35' 0" x 11' 0" (max)
Range:	4,150 nm
Speed:	19 knots
Complement:	15 officers / 183 enlisted
Armament:	3 x 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 x 1.1"/75 Mk2 quad AA (4x1), 9 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 1 Hedgehog Projector, Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks
Propulsion:	4 GM Model 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws

USS LeHardy (DE-20) was an Evarts class destroyer escort constructed for the U.S. Navy during World War II. It was promptly sent off into the Pacific Ocean to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese submarines and fighter aircraft. At the end of the war, she had to honor of proceeding to Wake Island, as the Japanese commander surrendered, and raising a flagpole to fly the American flag once again.

She was laid down as HMS Duff (BDE-20) for the British Navy 15 April 1942 by Mare Island Navy Yard; launched 21 November 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Bert A. Barr; retained for use in the U.S. Navy and renamed LeHardy 19 February 1943; and commissioned 15 May 1943, Lt. Comdr. J. H. Prause in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre Operations

After shakedown, LeHardy was assigned to the “pineapple run,” escorting convoys from the United States west coast to Pearl Harbor. She sailed on her first cruise to Hawaii 21 July and made two additional runs with convoys before being ordered to remain at Hawaii in late October. Following training exercises, LeHardy departed Pearl Harbor 15 November as ASW screen with a convoy en route to Tarawa. Upon arrival there 10 days later, the destroyer escort continued patrol and screening operations with the U.S. 5th Fleet in the vicinity of the Gilbert Islands. LeHardy remained off the Gilberts as the U.S. Marines ashore secured the islands, from which the Marshalls operation would be launched.

Departing Makin 25 December, she steamed back to Hawaii for pre-invasion training in preparation for her next assignment. Sailing from Pearl Harbor again 28 January 1944, LeHardy formed part of the escort and ASW screen for a convoy to the Marshall Islands landings. She arrived off Kwajalein 5 February, the day the atoll was secured, then escorted the cargo ships to Funafuti, Ellice Islands. She returned to the Marshalls in mid-February for patrols and screening duties during the capture of Eniwetok, before sailing for Pearl Harbor 4 March.

Upon her arrival on the l1th, the destroyer escort was assigned to training exercises with fleet submarines. LeHardy continued these operations until she departed Pearl Harbor late in May for ASW operations in the Marshalls. Throughout the summer, she alternated between ASW duties in the western Pacific and training exercises out of Hawaii.

Surrender of the Japanese Garrison at Wake Island

From 22 October 1944 until 22 January 1945, LeHardy escorted tanker convoys from Eniwetok to Ulithi, then sailed for a Seattle, Washington, overhaul. The destroyer escort returned Eniwetok 28 May to resume her Eniwetok-Ulithi convoy runs, her task for the rest of the war. On 2 September, LeHardy departed Kwajalein to take part in the surrender ceremonies on Wake Island. Arriving there 4 September, LeHardy stood by as the Japanese admiral surrendered the island. A detail from the ship went ashore and raised the pole which once again flew the American flag over Wake Island.

End-of-War Deactivation

After touching Kwajalein and Pearl Harbor, she proceeded to San Pedro, California, arriving 27 September. LeHardy decommissioned there 25 October 1945 and was sold 26 December 1946 to National Metal & Steel Corp., Terminal Island, California.

Awards

LeHardy received two battle stars for World War II service.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

External Links