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USS Kilty (DD-137/APD-15)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Kilty (DD-137/APD-15)

USS Kilty (DD-137) was launched 25 April 1918 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif.; sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Harrison Shapley; and commissioned 17 December 1918, Lt. Comdr. Timothy Jerome Keleher in command.

After a Caribbean shakedown and a European cruise during the summer of 1919, USS Kilty (DD-137) returned to San Diego and operated there until she decommissioned 5 June 1922. USS Kilty (DD-137) recommissioned 18 December 1939; and in April 1940 sailed on Neutrality Patrol out of San Diego. During the summer she conducted reserve training cruises and resumed her patrols early in September.

Reclassified APD-15 on 2 January 1943, USS Kilty (APD-15) cleared Mare Island 2 March for the South Pacific. After arriving Noumea 8 April with a Marine Raider battalion, the transport steamed toward Guadalcanal as an ASW screen 28 April. She made similar cruises until June when she reported for patrol and escort duty in the Solomons. USS Kilty (APD-15) played a vital role in the conquest of the Solomons, landing troops of the 37th Division on New Georgia Island 30 June and 4 July.

As Allied operations built up momentum, USS Kilty (APD-15) moved on to the Treasury Islands Campaign. She successfully landed New Zealand troops on Stirling Island 27 October and a Marine force on Bougainville 9 days later, enabling Allied Forces to take Rabaul. USS Kilty (APD-15) effectively aided this campaign in three more landings before sailing for Brisbane 21 November. Following an unopposed assault on Emiran Island 20 March, the transport prepared for the Hollandia campaign. Completing landings at Aitape 22 April, USS Kilty (APD-15) then participated in New Guinea landings, including Wakde 17 May and Biak 10 days later before putting into Humboldt Bay 28 May.

During another cruise to Leyte in mid-November, the transport splashed two "Vals" before they could crash into American LST's. Continuing operations in the strategic Philippines, USS Kilty (APD-15) landed troops 15 December in the invasion of Mindoro, and on 11 January 1945 supported the Luzon landings. USS Kilty (APD-15) made additional landings at Nasugbu 31 January and at Corregidor in mid-February before sailing for Ulithi 25 February for overhaul. With the Okinawa campaign well under way, USS Kilty (APD-15) departed Guam 17 May and arrived San Diego 18 June for overhaul. Redesignated DD-137 on 20 July 1945, USS Kilty (APD-15) was still in the yard as the war came to an end. The veteran destroyer decommissioned 2 November 1945, and was sold 26 August 1946 to the National Metal & Steel Corp. for scrapping.

For a complete history of USS Kilty (DD-137/APD-15) please see its DANFS page.