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USS Hobson (DD-464/DMS-26) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Hobson (DD-464/DMS-26) 

USS Hobson (DD-464) was launched by Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C., 8 September 1941; sponsored by Mrs. R. P. Hobson, widow of Rear Admiral Hobson; and commissioned 22 January 1942, Comdr. R. N. McFarlane in command.

Following extensive shakedown and training operations in Casco Bay, Maine, the new destroyer joined veteran carrier USS Ranger at Norfolk and sailed 1 July to escort her to Africa. Carrying a vital cargo of 72 P-40 aircraft. USS Ranger arrived safely via Trinidad, unloaded the planes and returned with USS Hobson (DD-464) 5 August 1942. The destroyer then conducted training exercises off Newport and Norfolk until 3 October, when, she departed Norfolk for Bermuda on escort duty.

Upon her return to Norfolk 27 November 1942, the destroyer took part in exercises in Casco Bay, later steaming with a convoy to the Canal Zone in December. The ship again joined USS Ranger in early 1943 and the antisubmarine patrol group sailed 8 January to patrol the western Atlantic. During the first 2 months of 1944, USS Hobson (DD-464) trained in Chesapeake Bay and operated with carriers between the East Coast and Bermuda. She joined escort carrier USS Bogue and other escorts at Norfolk, departing 26 February. These hunter-killer groups played a major part in driving German U-boats from the sea lanes, and this cruise was no exception. 

USS Hobson (DD-464)'s next duty took her to the Mediterranean; she arrived Mers el Kebir, Algeria, 11 July, and for a month performed convoy duties to and from Taranto, Italy. Joining Rear Admiral Rodgers Delta Assault Force, she sailed from Taranto 11 August for the invasion of Southern France. As the allied offensive in Europe gained momentum, USS Hobson (DD-464) steamed as a convoy escort between Algeria, Italy, and France protecting vital supplies and troops. She sailed for the United States 25 October 1944, and arrived Charleston via Bermuda 10 November. There she entered the Naval Shipyard and was converted to destroyer-minesweeper, and reclassifled DMS-26, 15 November 1944. Through December she underwent trials and shakedown training off Charleston and Norfolk.

The surrender of Japan came with USS Hobson (DMS-26) still undergoing repairs; and, after completing shakedown training, she spent February 1946 on minesweeping operations out of Yorktown, Va. The remainder of the year was spent in training and readiness exercises in the Caribbean and off Norfolk. Until 1950 the ship continued to operate off the East Coast and in Caribbean waters on amphibious and mine warfare operations. With the outbreak of the Korean conflict in June 1950, USS Hobson (DMS-26)'s schedule of training intensified. She took part in amphibious exercises off North Carolina and in Puerto Rico 1950-51 and took part in carrier operations as a plane guard and screening ship.

For a complete history of USS Hobson (DD-464/DMS-26) please see its DANFS page.