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USS Griswold (DE-7) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Griswold (DE-7) 

USS Griswold (DE-7) was launched 28 April 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. Don T. Griswold, mother of Ens. Griswold; and commissioned the same day, Lt. Comdr. Charles M. Lyons in command.

After shakedown in Bermuda, USS Griswold (DE-7) headed for the Pacific, reaching Bora Bora, Society Islands, via Norfolk and the Panama Canal 23 July 1943. Immediately pressed into service, she escorted convoys through the South Pacific, until April 1944.

After overhaul at Mare Island, the USS Griswold (DE-7) returned to the Pacific theatre on 3 June 1944 to escort convoys and participate in training exercises out of Pearl Harbor well into 1945. From 12 March to 6 May 1945, she remained on station at Eniwetok as flagship for Commander Task Group 96.3 under Comdr. T. F. Fowler. The long Pacific campaign was moving into its final phase that spring as American forces invaded Okinawa, a short step from the Japanese home islands; and USS Griswold (DE-7) soon moved up to the front.

Reaching Okinawa on 27 May, USS Griswold (DE-7) immediately took up station on the ASW screen, and was shortly rewarded with two kamikaze kills, 31 May and 5 June. The second of those would-be kamikazes dived on USS Griswold (DE-7); but she evaded him and the marauder exploded into the ocean so close that fragments of the Japanese plane showered over her. On 29 June Griswold departed Okinawa, escorting a convoy to Leyte Gulf, Philippines, and continuing on to Ulithi for screening work. At war's end she sailed triumphantly into Japanesee waters, anchoring in Tokyo Bay on 10 September. Embarking passengers for stateside, USS Griswold (DE-7) cleared Tokyo 6 days later and arrived San Pedro, Calif., 8 October via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor. She decommissioned there 19 November 1945 and was struck from the Navy List 5 December.

For a complete history of USS Griswold (DE-7) please see its DANFS page.