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USS Hopkins (DD-249)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Hopkins (DD-249)

USS Hopkins (DD-249) was launched 26 June 1920 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.; sponsored by Miss Sarah Babbitt, a descendant of Esek Hopkins; and commissioned 21 March 1921 at Philadelphia, Lt. Comdr. C. A. Bailey commanding.

After shakedown USS Hopkins (DD-249) arrived at Newport, R.I., 31 May for battle practice training during the summer. In November, she was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 for tactical training with the Atlantic Fleet along the East Coast. USS Hopkins (DD-249) sailed from Hampton Roads 2 October 1922, and reached Constantinople 22 October for duty in Turkish waters. She protected American interests and cooperated with the Relief Mission in the Near East, ranging to Beirut, Jaffa, and Smyrna. On 3 February 1932 USS Hopkins (DD-249) was one of the two naval ships rendering medical aid to earthquake victims at Santiago, Cuba. She departed 5 February to join the Pacific Fleet at San Diego. USS Hopkins (DD-249) returned to Norfolk in April 1939, and performed Neutrality Patrol from September 1939 until sailing for San Diego 37 May, thence to Pearl Harbor. She converted to a high-speed minesweeper (DMS-13) in the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

As the Navy moved farther across the Pacific in the long island-hopping campaign, USS Hopkins (DMS-13) arrived off Saipan 13 June 1944 to sweep the invasion approaches. She provided screen and fire support for the amphibious landings of 15 June 1944. USS Hopkins (DMS-13) departed the Philippines 15 January 1945 for a brief rest at Eniwetok, then swept the transport areas and channels off Iwo Jima to prepare for invasion 19 February 1945. She remained on patrol off Iwo Jima, emerging from heavy air and shore fire unscathed. Departing Iwo Jima 6 March, USS Hopkins (DMS-13) next headed into battle off Okinawa, the "last stepping stone to Japan." 

On 7 June 1945 USS Hopkins (DMS-13) steamed for overhaul at Leyte, Philippine Islands where she remained until cessation of hostilities. USS Hopkins (DMS-13) then rendezvoused with units of the Third Fleet headed for Tokyo Bay. After two days of sweeping the entrances to Tokyo Bay, USS Hopkins (DMS-13) anchored in sight of Mount Fujiyama 30 August 1945. USS Hopkins (DMS-13) arrived in Norfolk 28 November and decommissioned there 21 December 1945.

For a complete history of USS Hopkins (DD-249) please see its DANFS page.