Navy |
US Navy |
Type |
Destroyer |
Class |
Bristol |
Pennant |
DD 459 |
Built by |
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co. (San Francisco, California, U.S.A.) |
Laid down |
13 Jan 1941 |
Launched |
30 Oct 1941 |
Commissioned |
31 Mar 1942 |
Lost |
13 Nov 1942 |
Loss position |
off Savo, Solomon Islands |
History |
USS Laffey
(Lt Cdmr William Edwin Hank) fought
several battles as the Navy's youngest destroyer. At Guadalcanal, 14-inch
shells from the Japanese battleship Hiei ripped her open, starting fires.
The order to abandon ship was given as a torpedo came and tore her to
pieces, detonating her depth charges. 56 of the crew
died and 186 were rescued by higgin boats though 114 were wounded.
The Commanding officer was killed in the sinking and the Laffey earned a
Presidential Unit Citation for this action. |
Commander |
Lt.Cdr.
William Edwin
Hank, USN 31 Mar 1942---13 Nov 1942 |
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