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Today's classic warship, USS Kearny (DD-432)
Gleaves class destroyer
Displacement. 2,060
Lenght. 347'4"
Beam. 36'1"
Draft. 11'10"
Speed. 33 k.
Complement. 208
Armament. 4 5", 12 .50 car., 2 10" tt., 2 dct.
Kearny (DD-432) was launched 9 March 1940 by the Federal Ship Building & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Miss Mary Kearny; and commissioned on 13 September 1940, Comdr. A. L. Danis in command.
After shakedown and sea trials, Kearny got underway 19 February 1941 from New York Harbor for St. Thomas, V.I., where she took part in the "Neutrality Patrol" off Fort de France, Martinique, French West Indies, until 9 March. The new destroyer patrolled around San Juan, P.R., and escorted ships in the Norfolk area until August when she sailed for Argentia, Newfoundland, to escort North Atlantic convoys.
While Kearny was escorting a convoy in the North Atlantic before the United States entered the war, three convoy merchant ships were torpedoed 16 October. Kearny immediately began dropping depth charges and continued to barrage throughout the night. At the beginning of the midwatch 17 October, a torpedo struck Kearny on starboard side. The capable crew confined flooding to the forward fire room enabling the ship to get out of the danger zone with power from the aft fire room. Regaining power in the forward fire room, Kearny steamed to Iceland at 10 knots, arriving 19 October. Kearny lost 11 bluejackets and 22 others were injured in this attack. After temporary repairs Kearny got underway Christmas Day 1941, and moored 6 days later at Boston, Mass., for permanent repairs.
From 5 April to 28 September 1942, Kearny was busy escorting convoys to the British Isles, Panama Canal, and Galveston, Tex. Late in September, she sailed to act as a fire support unit in the North African invasion. There she screened Texas and Savannah on fire support missions, shot down an enemy plane, and escorted troop ships to Safi, French Morocco. Kearny departed the invasion theater and escorted a convoy back to New York, arriving 3 December 1942.
Kearny escorted ships to Port of Spain, Recife, Brazil, and Casablanca until 15 November 1943, then joined the Core hunter-killer task group 25 November. During the day of 1 January 1944, in coordination with antisubmarine planes from Core, Kearny fired a depth charge attack on a submarine resulting in a large oil slick, she returned to New York 18 January.
Next month Kearny joined the 8th Fleet in French Algeria. She reported to Brooklyn 10 March for duty in Italy, where both warships engaged in supplying fire support for the 5th Army. Due to their daily fire-support trips to the Anzio beachhead area, the warships became known as the "Anzio Express." They later were commended by General Mark Clark for the accuracy of this fire support.
Kearny was detached from the group the beginning of June and steamed to Anzio alone to give Allied troops their last naval fire support prior to their breakthrough and capture of Rome. The veteran destroyer saw more convoy duty before sailing for the invasion of Southern France.
Kearny was inner fire support ship tor Red Beach, Cavalaire Bay, France, and rendered counter-battery fire and pre-H-hour bombardment. She screened heavy fire support ships; laid smoke screens off Toulon; and, on 19 August 1944, began 2 months of duty screening transports carrying troops between Naples and southern France.
Afterward, Kearny made several cross-Atlantic voyages from New York to Oran. On 6 August 1945, Kearny transited the Panama Canal for duty in the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor late in August after hostilities had ended. She escorted a transport squadron carrying occupation troops to Japan via Saipan, arriving at Wakayama, Japan, 27 September. During the next month Kearny made voyages to Philippine Islands and Okinawa before returning to Japan in October. She sailed from Wakayama, Japan, 29 October 1945 for home via Pearl Harbor, San Diego, and the Panama Canal, arriving Charleston, S.C., 5 December 1945. She decommissioned there 7 March 1946, and went into reserve. Kearny was subsequently moved to Orange, Tex. where she remained until stricken June 1 1971, and sold October 6 1972 and broken up for scrap.
Kearny received three battle stars for service in World War II.
Let's Roll !!
The RATS are in disarray...eradicate the rodents !!
Fire Democrats, Hire Republicans !!
GWB Is The Man !!
Snuff Saddam, NOW !!
Death To all Tyrant's !!
The Second Amendment...
America's Original Homeland Security !!
Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!
Molon Labe !!
Dear Snow Bunny, I was on vacation and missed the Lovely, well deserved Tribute for you on 10/7. So today I Thank You for all you have done for our Military, the Canteen and for America. I am Blessed to know you. I am going to share with you today my yesterday, and Thank You for encouraging the support of our Troops and Veterans.Yesterday I went to the service station to have my car winterized, oil change, etc. I was reading the "Commieday" AKA Long Island Newsday, as hard as it is to read the left views, I force myself to do so. Need to know what they are thinking and writing about. A gentleman with a big smile walked into the waiting area. I immediately noticed his United States of America cap and I struck up a conversation with him.
He told me he was a Korean War Veteran. I Thanked him for his service, he appeared to be embarrassed by my thanking him and told me he was Proud to serve his country and he was just doing a job. I told him it was more then a job, that him and those who are serving now and in the past have given us all our Freedom and it is greatly appreciated. There was a gleam in his eyes when I thanked him and I knew he was grateful to hear those words.
Although we are from different generations, we had a lot in common. Both conservatives with a deep love for our country. We spoke of current events, and shared the same views. We both know of families that lost loved ones on 9/11. He then brought up the Clintons..Bill, Hillary and their antics, I think his blood pressure as well as mine was rising as we were discussing them. We both support President Bush, I told him that I attended the Inaugural Ceremony and how Proud I was to be there. Turns out he also attended, with his wife.
I told him about Free Republic and the Canteen. I try to recruit wherever I go :-) I told him about the wonderful deeds that Snow Bunny and all Canteeners do to support our Military, past and present. He was happy to hear about it and appreciative of all who contribute in the Canteen.
One of his wishes is that ALL Veterans ban together and let their voices be heard loud and clear. That all Veterans unite and become political. He spoke of the WW2 Veterans, and how they are dieing and leaving us every day. He is saddened about this, as we all are. I told him about my Dad and how Proud I am of my Dad's Military history.
The mechanic came in and told me my car was ready. I paid my bill. This kind Korean War Veteran shook my hand and told me that he enjoyed our chat, once again I thanked him. I got into my little black car (I really do have a small black car, not a convertible :-) As I was driving away, he waved to me. I smiled and waved back thinking this chore that I dread (going to the service station) turned into something wonderful that fine day.
After all that chatting, you would think we would have formally introduced ourselves, we didn't. We were just 2 Patriots chatting about the Country we Love.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND VETERANS
~~~Colleen~~~