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USS Grayson (DD-435)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Grayson (DD-435)

USS Grayson (DD-435) was laid down 17 July 1939 by the Charleston Navy Yard, S.C.; launched 7 August 1940; sponsored by Mrs. Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson Harrison (Mrs. George Leslie Harrison), widow of Rear Admiral Grayson; and commissioned 14 February 1941, Lt. Comdr. Thomas M. Stokes in command.

After shakedown along the New England coast and in Chesapeake Bay, USS Grayson (DD-435) joined Destroyer Division 22 of the Atlantic Fleet. After 10 months patrolling and protecting convoys in the icy North Atlantic, USS Grayson (DD-435) was ordered to the Pacific to join an American fleet battered but resolutely carrying the war to the enemy. The task group sailed into Pearl Harbor 25 April. USS Grayson (DD-435) departed almost immediately for repairs in California, but soon returned to the Pacific war.

The battle-proven ship and crew remained in the bitterly contested waters around Guadalcanal for nearly 8 months in a variety of duties. The versatile USS Grayson (DD-435) convoyed troop transports loaded with reinforcements from Noumea and other staging areas to Guadalcanal, patrolled in "The Slot", served as a radar picket ship, and performed valuable rescue work. Returning to Pearl Harbor 15 April 1943 for overhaul, USS Grayson (DD-435) continued on to the States for further repairs and finally sailed to New Caledonia, arriving 24 September.

USS Grayson (DD-435) returned to Pearl Harbor 1 September 1945, the day of the signing of the Articles of Surrender in Tokyo Bay. After brief training she sailed for the United States. Transiting the Panama Canal 8 October, she put in at Charleston, S.C., 16 October. USS Grayson (DD-435) remained at Charleston until decommissioned, 4 February 1947, and was placed in reserve. At present she is berthed at Orange, Tex.

For a complete history of USS Grayson (DD-435) please see its DANFS page.