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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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USS Eldridge (DE-173)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Eldridge (DE-173)

USS Eldridge (DE-173) was launched 25 July 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newark, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. John Eldridge, Jr., widow of Lieutenant Commander Eldridge; and commissioned 27 August 1943, Lieutenant C. R. Hamilton, USNR, in command.

Between 4 January 1944 and 9 May 1945 USS Eldridge (DE-173) sailed on the vital task of escorting to the Mediterranean men and materials to support Allied operations in north Africa and on into southern Europe. USS Eldridge (DE-173) made nine voyages to deliver convoys safely to Casablanca, Bizerte, and Oran.

USS Eldridge (DE-173) departed New York 28 May 1945 for service in the Pacific. En route to Saipan in July, she made contact with an underwater object and immediately attacked but no results were observed. USS Eldridge (DE-173) arrived at Okinawa 7 August for local escort and patrol, and with the end of hositilities a week later, continued to serve as escort on the Saipan-Ulithi-Okinawa routes until November. USS Eldridge (DE-173) was placed out of commission in reserve 17 June 1946. On 15 January 1951 USS Eldridge (DE-173) was transferred under the Mutual Defense Assistance program to Greece.

For a complete history of USS Eldridge (DE-173) please see its DANFS page.