Sumnerclass destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the united states navy to be named for bartlett laffey. Next year will be at the laffey site, patriots point sc near charleston. Please keep in mind that this list does only include records of people who submitted their information for publication on this website. Sumnerclass destroyer, which was constructed during world war ii, laid down and launched in 1943, and commissioned in february 1944. Despite enemy rifle fire which cut up the gun carriage and severed the rammer, laffey. Uss laffey destroyer 724 tin can sailors, volume 1. Awards and commendations, photos, reunion news, and guestbook for the two uss laffeys. Photographed from uss pce851, on okinawa radar picket station number one, after being hit by five kamikazes, two bombs, and some near misses, on 16 april 1945. Chapters 1 and 2 describe the sinking of the original destroyer named laffey during the naval battle of guadalcanal in november 1942 and bectons later assignment as commander of the new laffey. Registration and communicating with shipmates at is free forever.
Office of the chief of naval operations naval history division washington uss laffey ii dd724 bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841, enlisted in the navy 17 march 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. This publication is devoted to the uss laffey dd724 an allen m sumner class destroyer, and covers its technical and operational history. Zenghh white pillowcase doublesided pattern 150x50cm,160x50cm59 x 19. Other features may include candid photographs of crew members at work and recreation, details and history of the ship, and short biographies on captains, commanders, and other prominent officers. Julian becton and the crew has remained famous until today due to books, articles, documentaries. The table below contains the names of sailors who served aboard the uss laffey dd 724. Chapter 3 and 4 describe the new destroyer being built at bath iron works in maine, its commissioning, and the ships.
Uss laffey is a national historic landmark and is preserved as memorial and berthed at patriots point, charleston, south carolina. Uss laffey dd724 is the most decorated world war ii era us destroyer still in existence. Laffey ii dd724 naval history and heritage command. While there i toured the aircraft carrier uss yorktown, the destroyer. History channel video dogfights uss laffey may be viewed onboard uss. Uss laffey dd459 uss laffey dd459 was a bensonclass destroyer of the united states navy during world war ii. The second uss laffey dd 724 was laid down 28 june 1943 by bath iron works, bath, maine. Uss laffey dd724 historic naval ships visitors guide.
Uss laffey dd 724 is part of the patriots point naval and maritime museum located in. The technical portion not only explores the exterior of the ship where the guns, radar, and other features are clearly visible but also areas deep inside where the magazines, machinery, and other equipment necessary to operate the ship and its armament are. Laffey survived despite being badly damaged by four bombs, six kamikaze crashes, and strafing fire that killed 32 and wounded 71. Screening duties completed, the ship returned to england, arriving at. Uss laffey annual reunion this year in new orleans 98 to 911.
Becton in the title of his book recalling the laffeys world war ii history and the ferocious. Two warships have been named in honor of seaman bartlett laffey, a civil war medal of honor recipient. Bartlett laffey, born in ireland in 1841, enlisted in the navy on 17 march 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat marmora. They are not official navy publications, and the navy does not stock, sell, or republish these books. In the midst of heated battle laffey landed a 12pound howitzer and her crew. Uss laffey dd724 destroyer 1944 images photos uss laffey dd 724 association hero ships uss laffey kamikaze attack on uss laffey uss laffey history cha. Dd724 was named in honor of laffey dd459, sunk during the naval battle for guadalcanal november 1942.
Sumnerclass destroyer, was named for seaman bartlett laffey who was assigned to a 12pound howitzer. The destroyer broke up their tight formation and prevented further attacks. On 5 march 1864, the confederates launched a heavy attack on union positions at yazoo city, miss. The second laffey was built as a sumnerclass destroyer by bath iron works of maine.
Commander frederick julian becton, captain of the destroyer uss laffey dd 724, took the radio message his communications officer handed him on april 12, 1945, but the concerned look on the young officers face made becton suspect that it was not good news. She was the first destroyer named for bartlett laffey. On november 1942, the first uss laffey dd459 was sunk by the japanese during a night battle during the early stages of the naval battle of guadalcanal, less than a year after being commissioned. The uss laffeya benson class destroyerwas commissioned on 31 march 1942 and commanded by lt. Stricken from the navy register in 1977, laffey is now displayed with the aircraft carrier yorktown, and submarine clamagore.
Hell from the heavens is the history of the laffey, a wwii destroyer which had an incredible battle during the invasion of okinawa in the spring of 1945. None of our partner shops or mates has this currently for sale. Uss laffey dd724 in world war ii uss laffey association. Uss laffey association is a group of men and women who want to preserve and maintain the uss laffey dd 724 at patriots point, mt pleasant, sc 29464. Turns out this would be a perfect first foray into this hobby. She saw heavy action at dday and in the pacific where in 1 day she was hit by 4 bombs and 6 kamikazes yet failed to sink. Commissioned february 8, 1944, the uss laffey dd724 had already amassed a proud record before her heroic stand on april 16, 1945. Both ships were named in honor of seaman bartlett laffey, a civil war medal of honor recipient. Uss laffey dd 459 uss laffey dd 459 was one of the 1620 ton benson class destroyers laid down in 1937 and commissioned 31 march1942.
Laffey managed to stay afloat despite fires, inoperable guns, and a jammed rudder, but 32 men died and 71 men were wounded in the attacks in which laffey fought for 80 minutes against 22. After fitting out, the ship underwent shakedown at bermuda, arriving back at boston on 2 april. On april 16, 1945, the destroyer uss laffey dd 724 got crashed by seven kamikaze planes and hit by bombs dropped by two other japanese aircraft. Uss laffey was a ww2 heavy destroyer that took more hits and punishment than any other ship in ww2 without sinking. Battle for okinawa, 24 march 30 june 1945 ehistory. The story of the uss laffey is one of uncommon bravery and perseverance in battle and a tribute to all members of the american military. Commands listed for uss laffey ii dd 724 please note that were still working on this section. Okinawa was an island close enough to the japanese homeland to allow japanese planes to attack the u. The destroyer uss laffey dd724 became a famous hero ship after surviving an 80minute attack by 22 japanese kamikaze planes and conventional bombers on april 16, 1945, during the battle of okinawa. Tin can sailors the national association of destroyer veterans.
The laffey was built in bath, maine and was commissioned in boston, massachusetts, at the navy yard on february 8th, 1944. Sumnerclass destroyer, which was constructed during. The uss laffey dd724 was attacked by wave after wave of kamikaze off okinawa, april 16, 1945. Us navy photo mel gibson plans to direct a film about the ferocious kamikaze attack on uss laffey dd724, according to a report published by the hollywood reporter. Uss laffey dd724 destroyer warship military factory.
I am commander frederick julian becton, commanding officer of the uss laffey. With the staff at patriots point, we preserve and maintain the ship, its records, memories, letters, photos, videos, etc. She participated in the korean war and was active until decommissioned in 1975. The uss laffey dd724 and her crew are like the old soldier, fading. Some years ago i visited patriot point in charleston, south carolina. Sumner class destroyer who survived a fierce kamikaze attack during world war ii battle of okinawa in 1945. The mess hall has many exhibits about both the original uss laffey dd459, sunk in a sea battle off guadalcanal in november 1942, and the second destroyer named laffey dd724. Her first and only commanding officer was lcdr william e.
The ship model forum view topic 148 uss laffey dd724. On 16 april 1945, the laffey suffered heavy casualties following a concentrated japanese aerial attack in which she was struck by bombs and kamikaze. Ordered to duty afloat in 1944, manson joined the uss laffey dd724. Laffey earned five battle stars and a presidential unit citation for her world war ii service and two battle stars for her korean war service. The uss laffey dd724 was laid down 28 june 1943 by bath iron. The uss laffey survived waves of kamikazes off okinawa. We ask that you enter only enough information about yourself that your shipmates can recall you. Us navy photo mel gibson plans to direct a film about the ferocious kamikaze attack on uss laffey dd 724, according to a report published by the hollywood reporter. This is a poured resin hull in 1 piece, solid resin. She carried a main armament of 4 538 single mounts.
Uss laffey was launched on november 21, 1943, and was commissioned on february 8, 1944 the allen m. Namesake for medal of honor recipient seaman bartlett laffey, usn awarded for action on 5 march 1864. The uss laffey dd 724, a united states navy allen m. Seaman laffey was awarded the medal of honor for his stand against confederate forces on 5 march 1864. The destroyer that took on wwii kamikazes is coming to the big screen. History of the uss laffey dd724 8 february 1944 through 26 june 1945 the uss laffey dd 724 was commissioned at boston navy yard on 8 february 1944, with commander f. Becton in command upon completion of underway training, laffey visited washington navy yard for 1 day and departed 28 february 1944, arriving bermuda 4 march.