Best of the History Guy: Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts
From the vaults, four classic The History Guy episodes about WWII destroyers and destroyer escorts. (nearly) One hour of The History Guy!
00:00 - USS William D Porter, the Unluckiest Ship in the Navy
11:18 - USS Buckley vs U-66 during the Battle of the Atlantic
22:27 - USS Ward and the First Shots of Pearl Harbor
35:24 - USS England's Twelve Days
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Contents of this Video:
00:00 - USS William D Porter, the Unluckiest Ship in the Navy
11:41 - USS Buckley vs U-66 during the Battle of the Atlantic
22:45 - USS Ward and the First Shots of Pearl Harbor
35:27 - USS England's Twelve Days
Пікірлер: 561
That's old school Navy. They shoot a torpedo at the President and the CO isn't immediately removed from command.
Having served on the oldest active Tin Can on the East Coast (USS HAWKINS DD-873) from '74-'77, and to step across the pier to the newest Tin Can (USS SPRUANCE DD-963) in '78 was an interesting contrast in going from a World War 2 built destroyer to one built with computer technology and new weaponry. Proud to be called a TIN CAN SAILOR.
@mainiac4pats
Жыл бұрын
I worked in a shipyard that had many photos and paintings of “Spruance Class” ships hanging on the walls in meeting and board rooms. The Fletchers, Spruance and others fascinated me. I was lucky enough to build Ticonderoga and Burke class destroyers and cruisers. Thank you for your service. As far as I know I was a fourth generation ship builder in that shipyard.
@commanderredhawk7468
Жыл бұрын
@@mainiac4pats In Pascagoula or up in Maine? I also served on the PETERSON DD-969. Thanks for the input.
@mainiac4pats
Жыл бұрын
@@commanderredhawk7468 in Maine, Bath Iron Works, now owned by GD. So glad you asked. Living there we had the Naval Air Base in Brunswick Maine and the privately owned shipyard in Bath Maine. Grew up with sailors in town and occasionally I’d see marines. P3 Orion sub chasers flying, doing touch and gos. Sailors waiting for their ships to be repaired, retrofitted or built new. I am sad that our armed services are not as prevalent in the public. My great grandfather on my dads side was in WW1 and WW2 and both of my granpops were in 2. I knew all three of them for many years. One of them worked on Vanderbilt’s yacht 🛥 whilst working at the iron works. I am proud to say I pounded wedges for the final launch of a ship on the inclined ways at BIW. What an honor to watch it fly by me and plunge into the river after raising the cradle high enough for the crib work to fall away. Did you know John Wayne christened a launch there once?
@commanderredhawk7468
Жыл бұрын
@@mainiac4pats super. People forget it’s those that are in the background using their craftsmanship that make it possible for those at the end of the spearhead to do their jobs! Thanks to your family’s service and yours from my family of three generations of Navy men.
@allenbrooks9811
Жыл бұрын
I served on three cans, the Robert H McCard DD-822, Harold E Holt FF-1074, and Davidson, FF-1045. The main sonar training was conducted at the Fleet ASW Training Center Pacific (FLEASWTRACENPAC - The Navy does have a way with acronyms) un a kong gray building known as England Hall. The England, as a result was legendary among several generations of Sonar Techs. I was a student there on four different occasions in the course of my Navy career.
As a 30-year Navy veteran, who spent three tours on tin cans, I enjoy your films and have enormous respect for the ships and sailors who - only 200 or 300 strong - charged into Japanese battleship formations, took the brunt of kamikaze attacks, and cruised close to shore within easy range of Japanese or German artillery to give naval gunfire support to troops fighting ashore. Thanks. Or, as we say in the Navy, “BRAVO ZULU.”
@interwebtubes
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks for your service,
@michaelpender3299
Жыл бұрын
Ditto sir!
@interwebtubes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your Service , your tops
@davidbenner2289
Жыл бұрын
My mother's father was on a destroyer in the North Atlantic during WWI. My father's youngest brother was on a destroyer along the Korean peninsula during the Korean War, where he got CAR because they were shelled by the Chinese Communists. The only other Navy is a son-in-law, a Chaplin's assistant on Paris and Pendleton (he married a Marine).
@surfeyes
Жыл бұрын
SWO or what is your rate? I've only been on CVN and LHD tours.
I would have loved to see the expression on the faces of the sailors on the USS Buckley when they heard their captain over the loudspeaker announce: "Prepare to repel boarders!"
@ChiefMac59
Жыл бұрын
The captain of the USS Guadalcanal, Captain Daniel V. Gallery ordered "Away all boarders" when they capture U-505 on the high seas. The first such boarding action since the War of 1812
@spikespa5208
Жыл бұрын
Can only guess at the feelings of Outerbridge having to sink his first command.
@stevenfairless4931
Жыл бұрын
We had repel boarder drills on the SSN Tinosa ... I was qualified Thompson Machinegunner. We did some practice while at sea and I was the last to shoot from the sail. We all shot 20 rounds in 3 round bursts. After I completed my live fire the Captain asked for the remaining magazines, unloading them in full auto.. RHIP.
@ddawsond
Жыл бұрын
The greatest example of valor was when the destroyers of Taffy Three turned and faced a Japanese battleship division with one of the most powerful warships ever built. Three Destroyers and four Destroyer Escorts against 4 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 11 destroyers. All to save 6 escort carriers and the entire American invasion of the Philippines to push Japan out. Odds' what are those?
As an old “Tin Can Sailor “ I greatly enjoyed this episode. Thanks for bringing us such fascinating bits of forgotten history.
@richardc7721
Жыл бұрын
The only thing I didn't like about the book was that when I was only a third of the way through it the binding fell apart. Bought another book and same happened again. Never did finish it, but what I did read was awesome.
The "Tin Cans" of the navy have always captured my admiration for their deeds of derring do, often against greater numbers and larger opponents in David vs. Goliath encounters on the open seas. HMS Glowworm, USS Buckley, USS Johnston, USS Samuel B. Roberts, USS England, and the USS Laffey, to name a few.
@dukecraig2402
Жыл бұрын
25 Oct 1944, "Taffy 3" The USS Johnston (DD-557) and the USS Samuel B Roberts (DE-413) fought the Heavy Cruisers Chokai, Haguro, Kumano, the Cruisers Haruna and Suzuya, and the Battleships Yamato, Nagato and Kongo. With torpedo attacks the USS Samuel B Roberts blew the stern off of the Chokoai and the USS Johnston blew the bow off of the Kumano. The Captain of the USS Samuel B Roberts told his crew at the start of their attack "We are making a torpedo run, the outcome is doubtful but we will do our duty". Both ships were sunk but not before inflicting serious damage to every ship they engaged and more importantly tying up 8 capitol ships of the Japanese Imperial Navy while protecting their task force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. "The last stand of the tin can sailor's". Makes me proud to be an American.
@lenorevanalstine1219
Жыл бұрын
@@dukecraig2402 their sacrifice also prevented the japanese center force from hitting our marines who were on their way to a beach assault in transports and landing craft they saved tens of thousands of lives
@dukecraig2402
Жыл бұрын
@@lenorevanalstine1219 Yes they did, two little destroyers wreaked havoc among the Japanese battle group. Banzai that beeoughtches.
@olliefoxx7165
Жыл бұрын
@@dukecraig2402 The USS Johnstons attack on the superior numbers and ships of the Japanese navy is the stuff of legends. Such bravery should never be forgotten.
@dukecraig2402
Жыл бұрын
@@olliefoxx7165 Those guys weren't just bad, they were bee aa double dd Badd.
As a 3rd generation tin-can sailor, this is history that is near and dear to my heart. Thank you for remembering it.
The Adm. Blandy referred to in the video was the same as the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance who earlier in the war insisted that the infamous Mark 14 torpedo was functioning properly and delayed the corrective study and testing which it required. He was also the same who. as chief of the atomic detonation tests at Bikini Atoll, celebrated with a cake shaped as a mushroom shaped cloud. He wasn't the brightest light on the Christmas tree.
My grandfather was on the picket line at Okinawa as well, USS Ingersoll DD-652. Tin Can Sailors were heroes all!
My father served on USS Pritchett during the Korean War. I was on USS Semmes DDG 18 1983-84 and USS Kinkaid DD 965 1987-89.
I spent 10 years on Leander/ River class Escorts in the Royal Australian Navy. Loved serving on DE’s HMAS Swan DE50 and HMAS Torrens DE53.
@oldmanriver1955
Жыл бұрын
My brother did the paying off tours in them!! Became the oldest LS Cook in the RAN.
I spent 5 years (1970-75) aboard the USS Knox (DE/FF 1052). Most of our time at sea was spent following carriers during flight ops off Vietnam. I really enjoyed this collection of episodes about the "tin cans" that served heroically in WWII.
@hotjob100
Жыл бұрын
I served aboard 1051. Uss Ocallahan. Your ship sound familiar 80 -84
My Dad's boat was the Douglas H. Fox DD779, a Sumner class destroyer. He was a radarman.
My second hitch was in the USN (first was USAF), and I spent a bit over three years onboard an ASW Frigate in the early 1980s. The Frigates had originally been classed as Destroyer Escorts, but in June 1975 the Navy revised many ship classifications. These Knox Class DE/FFs were nearly twice the displacement of the WWII Destroyers, and modern Destroyers are now the size of WWII Cruisers.
@hotjob100
Жыл бұрын
Uss ocallahan 1051. ASW. Missions 80-84
@davidcunico1673
Жыл бұрын
one of those little beasts moored up by us in Pearl with their SQS26 sonar pinging away in port, like to drove me nuts!!! Scrambled my brain!! that was in '65
@stevek8829
Жыл бұрын
I'm still trying to figure out "Fast Frigate." As opposed to a slow frigate I suppose? Frigate
@jacobdill4499
8 ай бұрын
@@stevek8829 FF is just Frigate. Like how DD is Destroyer & BB is Battleship.
To : THE HISTORY GUY . Dear Lance , I was very happy just now to have celebrated the full 49 min,54 sec “marathon” History Guy World War II Pacific campaign videos. As always, thanks very very much for bringing History to us “that deserves to be remembered”. Continued successes to you and Crew.
When I was a kid I had a plastic model of the Buckley. I am impressed by her service record. I also remembered the Ward from the movie "Tora, Tora, Tora.". The line uttered by Neville Brand in that movie was priceless, "You wanted confirmation, there's your confirmation...," As he pointed to the attack on Pearl Harbor just outside his window.
@chrismc410
7 ай бұрын
As in the destroyer escort?
You tell a wonderful story of real events. My dad was an E3 with Bombing3 on Saratoga in 1940 and an E7 after Yorktown and Hornet at the end of 1942. Those were the days of instant leadership development; they all rose to the challenge.
If not for the bravery and sacrifice of that generation what a different world it would be. Thank you and RIP.
As a tin can sailor (USS Kirk, DE 1087) I thank you for my shipmates and fellow seamen. The stories were much appreciated.
USS Joseph Strauss DDG16 I was on a Guided Missile Destroyer, USS Joseph Strauss DDG16, in Vietnam 1968-1970. We were at anchor in the mouth of the Mekong River acting as a floating artillery battery for the Army. A spotter plane with a Colonel on board ordered us to shoot at a specified target. The Captain of my ship asked him for a clear description of the target. The Army Colonel said it was about 20 VC men, women, and children digging clams on the river bank about 2 miles away. I was on the bridge of the ship at the Lee Helm station and heard everything on the broadcast radio system. The Captain refused to fire at the target. The Colonel went above him to superior officers and the Captain was ordered by a Navy Admiral to fire on the target. I for one was sweating bullets and thought of leaving my post right then and there. The Captain ordered the crew of the gun mount to load “Wiley Peter” (white phosphorous) and fire a shot in a different direction, making it clear to the gun crew that their asses were on the line if they got within 3 miles of the target. We proceeded to fire 5-6 rounds which never were seen again and the spotter plane had to give up. Genocide is unacceptable to “most” military personnel! The Army Colonel and the Navy Admiral that ordered that genocide can live in Hell. The Captain and crew of my ship slept well that night.
@stephenland9361
Жыл бұрын
"The Army Colonel said it was about 20 VC men, women, and children digging clams on the river bank about 2 miles away." Twenty people, including women and children are digging clams. Talk about an "imminent threat". My God!! What if they had been seen actually having a clam bake?? VC my ass!!
@stevek8829
Жыл бұрын
Was the Captain busted for disobeying an Admiral's direct order?
@stephenland9361
Жыл бұрын
@@stevek8829 "Was the Captain busted for disobeying an Admiral's direct order?" So the Mỹ Lai massacre didn't teach you anything.
@stevek8829
Жыл бұрын
@@stephenland9361 the two instances are diametrically opposed. One is a direct order that was disobeyed. The other a war crime that didn't get punished enough, maybe. The troops were pissed and discipline broken, the officers may have lost control. But, there was an investigation and trial and conviction. So what's the connection?
@stephenland9361
Жыл бұрын
@@stevek8829 Okay, you didn't learn anything from the Mỹ Lai massacre.
The story of the Ward was amazing. I first heard about it from my Dad who served in both the Yorktown and the Enterprise. Synchronicity...
"sold for scrap"... Such an undignified end for such magnificent ships/"boats", especially the Enterprise 🥺😔😢
Great presentation. My grandfather served on a destroyer escort in the Pacific in WW2, so I enjoy content like this.
TY THG. My father was a Radarman on the USS Stephen Potter DD 538 during the Korean War.
I was in the Submarine Service (1964 -1970) but said the Tin Can guys were crazy. They spent more time underwater than we did. Anyway. Seen most of these separately but good to see then all wrapped up together. Thanks.
Right now I am reading a science fiction series about an American destroyer crew that gets transported from 1941 into an alternate universe where dinosaurs still roam the earth and the dominant sentient species are a reptilian predator that eats anything and an intelligent descendant of lemurs who are in a life or death struggle for dominance of the earth. The Destroyermen is the series, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves science fiction or WW2.
@stevenwiederholt7000
Жыл бұрын
Title? Thanks.
@briangarrow448
Жыл бұрын
@@stevenwiederholt7000 The Destroyermen by Taylor Anderson I believe the series has 15 different (books), installments.
@terryhiggins5077
Жыл бұрын
Destroyermen and it's sequel series Artillerymen are fantastic. Chak, and Silva are my favorites
@briangarrow448
Жыл бұрын
@@terryhiggins5077 I didn’t realize there was a sequel series! It is now on my list! Thanks for the heads up!
@stevenwiederholt7000
Жыл бұрын
@@briangarrow448 Oh, now I'm going to be Forced to buy some more books! Oh The Pain! 🙂 Thanks.
I'm rewatching McHale's Navy after 60 years and I really like torpedo boats.
@lookronjon
Жыл бұрын
You made my laugh.
1/22/2024 I am a Navy Aviation (AO) veteran (1965-1969). In an off handed way. sort of, Navy Destroyers helped me choose how I would serve. One day I saw a "News Reel" (?) in 1965 of a Navy Destroyer being refueled by an Aircraft Carrier, in heavy weather. After that, I had no trouble choosing the path of my Navy service. Although they're gone, they should never be forgotten. Thanks to The History Guy, they have become harder to forget. ;-)
Thank you. Our grandchildren, great grandchildren know nothing of US history. Your videos are helping fill the gap in their lack of knowledge.
Damn. That's 50 minutes of some of the finest content I've come across on KZread. Thank you.
I really like this channel, I love history and the way you present it, please keep up the good work !!
My Father-In-Law, John Tolich Sr, served aboard the USS Herndon, as a designated speartip Destroyer of the Utah Beach invasion. They were expected to be one of the first ships sunk, which instead not only survived, but served with distinction throughout those all-important morning and early afternoon hours, until their mission changed to body recovery of the floating deceased. It was only at that point they realized they conquered the mission of being more than their calculated position of sacrificial lamb.
Thank you for your episodes on the United States Navy. My Dad served on a destroyer escort in World War II and also became a "frogman." Frogmen were the precursors of the USN Seals.
loved the format of combining some older shows into a common theme
Pendleton and his crew on the ENGLAND had some serious skill. Luck only gets you so far. Love that last quip from their fellow vessel, "Damnit how do you do it?!"
Both my father and uncle were tin can sailors, one in the Atlantic and Med, the other in the Pacific. Both survived multiple combats. My third tour in Vietnam was aboard a Gearing class, DD-844, so I too am a proud tin can sailor. I love this series.
Good episode, thanks. I began in Army ROTC for armor, watched the 5 worst tanks episode. (I mentioned your shoes.) Retired from the Navy after 22 years serving on a destroyer, carrier, destroyer tender, and two submarine tenders. Then, 22 years as a middle and high school history teacher. My favorite ship, the destroyer, of course.
I always loved to watch the tin cans cut through the sea. I had been on a sub and a destroyer tender, then an ammo ship. We always deployed with a task force in support of a carrier group. My third group had USS America and USS Iowa.
Unbelievable! As a proud U.S. NAVY veteran I salute the Willie D and her crew. They performed their duties under fire and fought in the finest traditions of the U.S. NAVY. I would have been proud to serve aboard her. Four battle stars is certainly something to be proud of. ✌🇺🇸
I know they were the enemy, but as a submariner i gotta say it takes guts to try and take the surface ship thats pounding the hell outta your boat.
Former tin can sailor here. I served on two Knox class frigates (formerly classified as DE's), USS Badger, FF-1071and USS Lang, FF-1060. My experiences aboard these two helped me tremendously in my later professional years as a civil servant. As others had said, "Bravo Zulu " If I had a chance to serve again, I would prefer the "small boys." Best regards.
Lance must be a fun guy when sitting around the campfire. He was born to tell stories.
Nicely done salute to the destroyer and destroyer escort crews. The only well known incident left out was Taffy 3. Which you have done a separate video on. But the 3 ships in this video were equally well known.
My great grandfather served on both USS Wilkes (DD-411) and USS Riddle (DE-185). Can u talk about the truxton and pollux accident. My great grandfather was on the Wilkes when it happened.
My relative was a 1932 graduate of the USNA. He was the first commander of the Fletcher class destroyer USS Porter DD 800 from June 1944 to Dec 1945. I have an article from our Chattanooga paper dated July 5, 1945. The reporter got the Porter and the William D. Porter confused. The headline of the article read: “H. R. Prince Was Commander Of Warship Sunk By Japs”. CDR Prince was later promoted to Captain and retired in 1962.
@Cha-y412
Жыл бұрын
My long time neighbor growing up in NJ was Cecile Toft US Naval Academy class of 32. Lt Commander Toft also was the skipper of a Fletcher in WW2.
@TheCarnivalguy
Жыл бұрын
@@Cha-y412 Very interesting! I have the 1930 - 1932 USNA yearbooks, The Lucky Bag. I’ll be sure to look for his bio in the 1932 volume. Thanks for sharing.
@Cha-y412
Жыл бұрын
@@TheCarnivalguy Mr Toft was a humble, nice and very comical man . In the late 1970s when he retired from his civilian job during warm weather he would get dressed in short pants, white silk socks, and white shoes at 4 Pm on the dot and sit out on his deck overlooking the Barnaget Bay. I mean every day. It was Cocktail hour. Such a classy gentleman.
@TheCarnivalguy
Жыл бұрын
@@Cha-y412 Great story! I just looked at his bio in the 1932 USNA yearbook. His photo shows a nice looking young fellow in his early twenties, ready to sail the seven seas.
USN IS3, only a carrier billet or shore billet at the time, but always appreciated the tin cans for their commitment and purpose. One of your best, HG! Long live the USS Saratoga!
My father, Carleton Pollock, age 18, was on the USS Mahan when it was hit by that kamikaze. He said it was horrible, metal flying everywhere, his best friend was killed right next him. He was shaking so bad someone stuck a cigarette in his mouth. Next thing he remembered was being pulled out of the water. The truly frightening thing is that, 4 days prior to this, my dad was on the Cooper when it sank. Other ships were within range of the enemy and couldn’t stop long enough to pick them up so they dropped floats for them instead. They were in the water and targets for sharks for 2 days before a PBY picked them up. It was so full that they never took off, just skimmed along the surface. A few days after that he was transferred to the Drayton and saw even more action. It’s incredible that he even survived.
My father worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding when they were redoing the Iowa in the early 80s as a ship theater he has a picture of him and two other workers sitting in the bathtub that is on the Iowa for President Roosevelt
There at 37:37... the U.S.S Tern was the mine sweeper my grandfather was on right at the end of WW 1. He served as a cook onboard it. He suffered a broken jaw when a freezer door swung open and hit him hard during during heavy seas. They never really repaired it correctly back then. He suffered with that injury until he passed away in 1973. He was a great cook! I have a picture of the Tern he proudly hung in my grandparents house. Interestingly, he also served aboard the U.S.S Medusa a purpose built repair ship as a cook. Both the Tern and the Medusa were in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. My grandfather was out of the Navy by then working for Douglas Aircraft. I still have a menu from the Medusa from a Christmas dinner on board. Thank you History Guy! You do a fantastic job of having history remembered!
"Damn it, how do you do it?" I love it!
This set of episodes brought back memories of my father's service. Ens Arthur E Carlson, SC, USNR spent the bulk of his service on board the Everts Class USS John J Powers (DE-528).
Having served on 3 Destroyers and Commanded one, I found your stories most informative and well presented. Bravo Zulu and keep up the great work ! H.J. Evans III CDR. USN (Ret.)
My father, MM3c Walter Michael Crawford, Sr., served onboard the USS Oliver Mitchell. Laid down by the Brown Shipbuilding Company of Houston, Texas, on 3 January 1944, Oliver Mitchell (DE-417) was launched on 8 February of that year, sponsored by the mother of her namesake, 2nd Lieutenant Oliver Mitchell, a Marine pilot who posthumously received the Silver Star for his attack on a Japanese destroyer during the Guadalcanal campaign. She received five battle stars for World War II service, one each for her participation in the Luzon attacks, the Formosa attacks, the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, and the 3rd Fleet operations against Japan. GREAT VIDEO!!!
My father served on USS Raymond, a Butler-class Destroyer Escort (DE) after WWII.
Thank you, fore your time you put in
The last two Fridays, Drachinafel did videos with graphs showing the US output of ships spanning from just before the war (beginning 1938) to just after the war (end 1947). In particular, was thr video from last week showing the number detroyers, destroyer escorts, and submarines of built and in service per quarter during that time. It was quite interesting. The week prior, he notes that by the middle to end of the war. There were actually more US Navy airplanes flying off the decks of escort carriers than were doing so off fleet carriers. This includes flying off all the Essex Class carriers.
Thanks so much for making this video. My father, Alvin Elmer Grieger served as a Motor Machinist on a Fletcher Class destroyer USS Dortch (DD-670). I remember all of his stories and have his dogtags, medals, his WWI trench lighter, and his good luck charm. I also have a diary he kept (forbidden, but invaluable since the records building burned).
This is one of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite You Tube channels. I didn't know this specific story (about the U.S.S. Ward DD 139), but it was stories similar to this that sparked my desire as a kid to join the U.S. Navy, and to be a destroyer sailor in particular. On a similar note, one of my profs in college, a man who was not only a prof, but a friend and mentor, was one of the Pearl Harbor survivors of the U.S.S. Oklahoma.
Love the extended format, dare I say even better than the podcasts???? Brilliant stuff, my stalwart go to channel for the last 4+ years - imprecise I know, but have no idea when I first subbed, its just you seem have ALWAYS been around!!
Amazing combat account for the Buckley! More riveting engagements like that deserve to be told! Thank you so much. My father was a radioman and gunner on an SBD (Dauntless Dive Bomber) and even though he was in training in Pensacola Florida, in June of 1944, he faced the potential of losing his life. The SBDs were in training doing dive bombing exercises. After making their run at the target, the pilot went to rejoin the other SBDs back in formation, but the engine knocked out and they declared an emergency. They began looking for an emergency field and headed towards one they found. Upon coming down on the runway, the plane broke in half between the pilot and dad. Once Emergency Personnel reached them, both had to be cut out of the wreckage. Dad suffered injury to his legs and feet. He was pretty lucky! The pilot suffered greater injuries. After a few days in the hospital, some officers came around and asked if he would fly again? Dad said, “I will if I can be put in a plane with more than one engine”. He was assigned to PBYs, and flew as a radioman and gunner, spending most of his time in “the blister” doing Patrol, Search and Rescue operations on the East Coast of the United States.
Superb, as always.
My ship (USS Jouett DLG29) was of the same class as the England you referred to in your final piece. I had no idea of the spectacular history of the tin can. Thanks.
my first assignment was DeHaven DD-727. DeHaven wouldn't be my last greyhound to ride, but god, it was a floating antique, even by 1970 standards--and like the ship, many of the crew were WW2 vets. what incredible people went through the most vicious, desperate war ever, in these things!
I had the privilege to serve aboard two Benner Class DDs, USS Perkins (DD-877) & USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830). In July 1970 I reported aboard Perkins the day before we left for a combat cruise to Vietnam. We were assigned targets up and down South Vietnam and once off of Cambodia (don’t tell anyone 😄). In February 1972, I reported aboard Larson the day before she headed to Vietnam, this time we spent our time off of North Vietnam shooting at targets along their highway 1. Mixing it up with shore batteries was very interesting off of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. My two DDs had all three 5” .38 caliber gun mounts intact, so the forward spotters loved us! We could give you SIX rounds on target! Larson shot so much, we had to go down to Singapore and get ‘regunned’ because our rifling was wearing out. Both ships were decommissioned in 1972, Perkins to Argentina Navy and Larson to South Korean Navy. Both served with distinction in their new countries. Too much fun being on those two tin cans built at the end of WWII. I slept in a ‘rack’ with a canvas bottom, 4 high under the after mount. I was a yeoman seaman, then yeoman 3rd class petty officer. I went on to serve for 20.5 years active naval service aboard USS Juneau (LPD-10), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and USS Ranger (CV-61). Retired as a Senior Chief Yeoman, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Yes, I was aboard Kitty Hawk when she rammed the Soviet sub off South Korea in March 1984 (see THG’s excellent video on that incident). 🫡🇺🇸😀 Go Navy, Beat Army!
@scottfw7169
Жыл бұрын
Talking about doing shore bombardment off Vietnam brings to mind a couple 1970s US Naval Institute Proceedings magazine articles by Robert F. Sumrall where he writes about the ship camouflage paint used in WW1 and WW2 and at end of WW2 article mentions that some ships standing for shore bombardment runs in Vietnam had been hit by shore batteries which used optical rangefinding since radar rangefinding would have given their positions away in advance of firing, so maybe disruptive camouflage paint should be examined again. Was mostly DDs and cruisers which took the hits from Vietnamese shore batteries. The original magazines I saved after Dad retired were lost long ago but I have photocopies obtained from USNI in 1990s. Had thought those copies were long gone but found then a couple days ago while looking for something else. Let's see, the Vietnam shore bombardment, ships getting hit, and camouflage paint, comment was on page 70 of the February 1973 issue right at end of text before photo pages. Oh, I had forgotten it said "... and the Naval Research Laboratory continues to conduct studies in anticipation of the operational requirements which may become realities in the combat environments of the future."
CQB was one thing I engaged in more than a few times. I have scars on my arms from deflecting knife blades. My opponents had run out of ammo and had even throes their empty firearms at me. Crazy, right? I do enjoy these films, they're done so well. The History Guy has my sincere thanks.
A fitting tribute the the Tin Cans of the U.S. Navy. To this day - the backbones of the fleet! Nicely done sir.
A wonderful video for us old guys who remember "the greatest generation", if not the war itself. Thank you for doing this one. I recently read a great novel based roughly on the England's activity by P T Deutermann, a retired navy captain, and was glad to learn its actual history.
I was on the USS Somers, a converted 947 Destroyer, to a DDG. Great duty. I loved the extended video as I am an intense Naval History freak, and especially Destroyers of all sizes and shapes. Our ship was a part of a distinguished line from (USS) Somers, DD381, DD947 and DDG34. Thanks for the history class on Destroyers.
Thank you for the reminder that tough times create times for heroes , and they were heroes .
I will always be proud of the fact that I was lucky enough to have been an officer in the USN. Not because I was any great hero but because of the men, and women , that I served with ,and those that came before me. The legacy of their bravery is awesome.
Another great channel to quench the unquenchable thirst for history.
My uncle, Carl K Greene was on board the USS Morrison DD 560 when it was attacked and sunk by at least four kamikazes at the Battle of Okinawa on May 4th 1945. He did not survive.
I'm a Navy Man (AZ2) who stood my watch for 4yrs. I love and respect any Sailor who sails into harm's way, for they are my brothers. But this...this should be a comedy movie, but nobody would believe it.
I have been to the number 3 gun of the Ward a number of times over the years. The first time was on December 7 1971. My teacher was a Navy veteran of WW2.
Love your historic story telling ‘history guy’ .. a diamond in the otherwise nonsense on KZread.
These videos are the superior form of a playlist
My father, still alive in 2022, served on DE 766, the USS Slater, as a radioman. She is still afloat as a museum ship in Albany NY. They did an amazing restoration of her after she served in the Helenic navy until the early 1990’s. If you get a chance, honor those greatest generation sailors by visiting her on the Hudson. And please donate a few $$$ so future generations can tour the last DE.
@MikeDacosta-ge3io
Жыл бұрын
A.ngie hicks fake nudes
Absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed every one of these stores (some for the 2nd time). Thanks for sharing.
Awesome content as alway, tho I'm honestly kinda surprised the USS Johnston, or Samuel B Roberts weren't include in the video. For me at least, they are the default winners for the "best of american destroyers and destroyer escorts"
@mainiac4pats
Жыл бұрын
I worked on the Roberts after it was damaged. It was a beautiful frigate. We had t-shirts that said, “Frigate isn’t a swear word”. That’s not exactly what they said, but I am sure it’s close enough to get the humor.
@JoshuaTootell
Жыл бұрын
I'm guessing they were not included because they were battleships, not destroyers 😉
@pearidgefarmer
Жыл бұрын
My Uncle Bill was radar officer on uss Gambier Bay cve 73 sunk by Japanese battle ship Yamato. I also served on ww2 carrier, USS Boxer. 60-65
@braddblk
Жыл бұрын
@@JoshuaTootell The USS Johnston (DD-557) was a Fletcher-class destroyer and USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort. All battleships were named after states,
@Celebmacil
Жыл бұрын
@@braddblk "The USS Samuel B Roberts became known as The Destroyer Escort That Fought Like a Battleship for her time in World War 2." It was a humorous reference to the history of Taffy 3's action in the Battle off Samar, not a misidentification: note the winking face. Anyway, the fact that they knew the reference would probably indicate they're also reasonably well versed in the naming conventions, and likely the histories, of US warships.
Enjoyed this episode 🇺🇸
The combined US Navy and US Coast Guard *FLEETS* of Destroyers are the most underrated aspect for anyone serious about the study of World War 2 and why the outcome of said War against that particular variant of ahem *"Axis Powers"* ahem was never in doubt. It wasn't just the quality and quantity of these Warships all there certainly was that it was how these Warships were used...always attacking, always out ahead of the Fleet and acting literally as the spear itself despite almost always being just one ship. In effect the D's and DE's *WERE* the Fleet and represented complete domination of Oceans and Seas where they operated and still do today.
My great uncle Clifton Moore was on Ward during Pearl. He survived the war and finished his engineering degree. He would go on to manage LAX airport through the 50s-70s. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lancaster CA in 2003.
In the Navy we don’t call them shifts, they’re known as watches. Just a minor issue considering how awesome your videos are. Thanks!
@lancerevell5979
Жыл бұрын
I was on Third Watch, also called the "Third Herd". 😄
@mainiac4pats
Жыл бұрын
If you took of from watch, you were “skating”
@kaptainkaos1202
Жыл бұрын
I always loved what the Airedale’s called mid check, 3rd watch. I LOVED watching the sunrise from the flight line or the cockpit of one of our aircraft, the P-3 Orion or early in my career the EA-3B, the Whale.
@mainiac4pats
Жыл бұрын
@@kaptainkaos1202 loved to hear your story about the EA-3B. As a child, when a herc or a galaxy would cast its shadow over us while playing baseball ⚾️ I would just fall over watching it amazed. The whale 🐳! Had a friend who was stationed at BNAS and he flew A3 during his time in the Gulf. I saw many Blue Angel shows over decades. Watched from my tailgate at Fat Boy Drive In sometimes. See if you can find any pics of the drive in restaurant in Brunswick. Legendary A3 I m honored to speak with you. Thanks
@kaptainkaos1202
Жыл бұрын
@@mainiac4pats what is so coincidental is my son is a union ironworker. He is staying near Brunswick adding onto some hospital up there. I had the good luck to fly on both the P-3 and the EA-3B at the beginning of my career in VQ-1 NAS Agana Guam. I had to make a choice and chose to specialize on the P-3. I’m now at the end of my career as a flight test engineer. I just had a flight clearance request for new smoke masks on the P-3. I want my last approval of my career to be a P-3. BTW I’m at NAS Patuxent River Maryland.
Congrats on the 1m subs
Over a million subscribers now! Wow! I remember when this channel came about… Great to see that good hard working people get their just rewards! 🎉
You forgot to mention that the hours and hours of boredom is quickly forgotten, but the few moments of shear terror has a way of containing instants that never leaves you even momentarily.
It always makes me smile when I hear the retelling of USS England. Truly a remarkable patrol and service.
A retired Chief and proud tin can sailor - I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of history "that deserves to be remembered". Not that I'd ever forget, of course, but these stories are the stuff of legend. In the early years of my career there were still many serving veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic.... I have heard countless stories from these men - some were probably even true! 🤣🤣 In any case, the men who served in the RN, the RCN and the USN from 1939 through 1945 were definitely men of iron and hearts of oak - every one! Bravo Zulu to them all! 👏 And BZ too, to the History Guy for putting this excellent show together! Finally - yes, every great story has pirates! Aaaarrrgh! 🤣
@em1osmurf
Жыл бұрын
i had one old quartermaster Chief (navy for navigations) that participated in the original White Sands atom bomb testing. he loved to go around during GQ and black out peoples' TLDs (radiation film). he was literally hot. our skipper enlisted after PH, retired as a bird CAPT in 1973. he actually told a DesRon21 Commodore to get on the flag bridge, or he'd beat his a$$ in front of god and everyone. your "old navy". the greatest generation to have lived, and they're nearly all gone. bless them all.
@haggis525
Жыл бұрын
@@em1osmurf Captains don't threaten Commodores - depending on the era a flag officer or senior Captain in charge of a flotilla - with a beat down. In fact - Captains (0-6 or NATO equivalent) don't threaten anyone with a beat down. Sorry, mate - I'm calling BS on this part of your sea story. Also - Army/Chair Force/Marine Colonels are "Birds" as 0-6's.... Navy Captains are Captains... no birds, mate even though the insignia of rank (on US Navy collar) is an eagle.
When men are in a desperate struggle of life and limb we use what is at hand, even if it's a coffee cup against a U-boat.
@landtuna8061
Жыл бұрын
There is another story of 'combat' between an American destroyer and a German U-boat where, out of ammunition, the Yanks hurled potatoes at the Germans. True! Note: The potato locker was outside on the weather deck so easily accessible to the sailors looking for 'weapons'.
I was on FF1050 - USS Albert David from 1977 to 1980. Our ship was named after the officer that captured the U505 Submarine that is on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Fast Frigates (FF) were basically Destroyer Escorts. Our ship had Top Secret listening equipment designed to detect submarines at long distances.
Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing these great pieces of history that deserves to be remembered.
My Uncle Isi, Uncle Zeke, & my dad Adolfo were veterans of WWII. 2 in the Pacific Theatre, & 1 in Europe. We heard this story about the Aztecas through the family orals, but we knew since the news was announced over the radio news at the times on Mexican radio air waves & passed on through families & friends.
As always, great presentation! You bring history to life.
Fantastic as always! Love these compilations. Great to sit back and play a chill game while I listen to you speak on interesting topics!
My older brother joined the Navy in 1962, signed up for "ship electronics" assignment to the Shelton DD214, last few months on a tender ship at Subic Bay. Even in the '60s destroyers were a nonstop duty & sent a different person home when he signed out!
Outstanding video. Thank you for your effort in making it.
Excellent. Thank you for sharing.
Another remarkable and satisfying episode. You sir are an inspiration and a living treasure of History!
My Grandfather was a Fireman onboard a Fletcher Class destroyer, the USS Dashiell DD 659 during WWII and had stories about Leyte, Phillipines and Typhoons... i so miss that man, my hero.
Thanks, History Guy for this fascinating and educational video. Regarding the USS Buckley, during the 1957 movie "The Enemy Below," which is about a duel to the death between a fictional U.S. destroyer, the USS Haynes, captained by a fictitious Captain Murrell, played by Robert Mitchum, and a German u-boat piloted by Kapitän zur See von Stolberg, played by Curt Jurgens, the U-Boat captain. The u-boat captain, peering through his periscope at the Haynes, is told by one of his officers, played by the very Nordic-looking actor Kurt Kreuger (also seen as a vicious Nazi villain in the Bogart war movie "Sahara' ) after the Krueger character leafs through a printed illustrated catalog of U.S. destroyer designs , that the USS Haynes is a "Buckley-class" destroyer. The Kreuger character then recites (for his captain's information) the specific charateristics of a Buckley class destroyer - depth-charge capability, torpedo and gunnery capability, and that the Haynes had a "turboelectric" engine. The "turboelectric" engine specification seemed to me to be a new-fangled type of propulsion, but Wikipedia says it was used on American warships as far back as 1923.