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USS Drayton (DD-366)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Drayton (DD-366)

USS Drayton (DD-366) was launched 26 March 1936 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Miss B. E. Drayton, great-grandniece of Captain Drayton; and commissioned 1 September 1936, Commander R. G. Pennoyer in command.

After her shakedown cruise to Europe from 6 October to 5 December 1936, USS Drayton (DD-366) underwent final trials and acceptance, then sailed from Norfolk 6 June 1937 to join the Scouting Force, at San Diego 19 June. On 4 July she got underway to take part in the fruitless search for the lost aviatrix Amelia Earhart, participating in maneuvers at Pearl Harbor before her return to San Diego 30 July.

USS Drayton (DD-366) exercised along the west coast, in the Hawaiian Islands, and in the Caribbean for the next 2 years. Drayton sailed from Pearl Harbor 17 November 1942 for action in the Solomon Islands. USS Drayton (DD-366) continued to operate in the Solomons campaign, bombarding Munda, New Georgia, and protecting transports bound for the Russell Islands. 

After brief overhaul at Brisbane, Australia, USS Drayton (DD-366) returned to the New Guinea area, escorting transports to Arawe, New Britain, for the landings of 15 December, and covered the Marine landings near Cape Gloucester 26 December. USS Drayton (DD-366) bombarded Pityilu Island 12 March then sailed for Seadler Harbor, Manus, escorting an LST convoy before returning to New Guinea. Following an overhaul at San Francisco, USS Drayton (DD-366) trained out of Pearl Harbor before arriving at Eniwetok 8 August. 

USS Drayton (DD-366) sailed from Manus 26 December 1944 for the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 9 January 1945. Continuing to operate in the Philippines, USS Drayton (DD-366) participated in the landings at Mangarin Bay, Puerto Princesa. Cebu, Ormoc Bay, and Masbate City.

On 23 April 1945 USS Drayton (DD-366) stood out of San Pedro Bay for the invasion of Borneo, screening the actions at Tarakan from 1 to 27 May, and at Balikpapan from 1 to 21 July. Returning to Manila 29 July she got underway 7 August, and arrived at New York 12 September. USS Drayton (DD-366) was decommissioned 9 October 1945 and sold 20 December 1946.

For a complete history of USS Drayton (DD-366) please see its DANFS page.