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USS Fletcher (DD-445/DDE-445) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Fletcher (DD-445/DDE-445) 

USS Fletcher (DD-445) was launched 3 May 1942 by Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. F. F. Fletcher, widow of Admiral Fletcher; and commissioned 30 June 1942, Lt.Cmdr. W. M. Cole in command.

USS Fletcher (DD-445) arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia, 5 October 1942 from the east coast, and at once began escort and patrol duty in the Guadalcanal operation, bombarding Lunga Point 30 October. USS Fletcher (DD-445) played an important part in the surface action off Guadalcanal 13 November, firing guns and torpedoes in the general melee which sank two Japanese destroyers and damaged battleship Hiei, later sent to the bottom by carrier and Marine aircraft. USS Fletcher (DD-445) continued to operate in the Solomons, patrolling, bombarding shore targets, driving off Japanese air attacks, rescuing downed aviators, destroying Japanese landing barges, and covering new landings on the northern coast of Guadalcanal.

Between 23 April 1943 and 4 May, USS Fletcher (DD-445) was in Sydney, Australia, for a well-earned breather and a chance to put the ship in top condition for another month of general duty in the Solomons. She left Espiritu Santo 19 June for a stateside overhaul, returning to Noumea 27 September to resume her former activities until 31 October. USS Fletcher (DD-445) returned to Pearl Harbor 9 December 1943, and after a brief overhaul and training on the west coast, was ready for the attack on the Marshalls. On 4 January 1945, USS Fletcher (DD-445) sortied from San Pedro Bay to provide close cover for the Luzon Attack Force as it sailed toward its objective.

She was re-classified DDE-445 on 26 March 1949. Recommissioned 3 October 1949 as a specialist in antisubmarine warfare, USS Fletcher (DDE-445) sailed for San Diego 1 May 1950 for a tour of duty with the Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific. On 19 November 1951, USS Fletcher (DDE-445) cleared Pearl Harbor for another tour of duty screening the carriers of the 7th Fleet in Korean operations. Annually from 1954 through 1962 USS Fletcher (DDE-445) sailed to the Far East for duty with the Seventh Fleet, in 1955 providing antisubmarine screening for the evacuation of the Tachen Islands.

Decommissioned at San Diego on 1 August 1969, USS Fletcher (DDE-445) was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day, and custody of the ship was turned over to the U.S. Naval Ship Maintenance Facility, San Diego.

For a complete history of USS Fletcher (DD-445/DDE-445) please see its DANFS page.