USS DRAYTON DD-366

A Tin Can Sailors Destroyer History

USS DRAYTON DD-366

The Tin Can Sailor, April 1997

The first of the Navy-designed single stackers, USS BAGLEY, was launched on September 3, 1936 at Norfolk Navy Yard and commissioned ten months later. Her first assignment was with the Atlantic Squadron.

BAGLEY was the third vessel to bear the name of Ensign Worth Bagley, who gave his life during an attack on the shore batteries of Cardenas, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The ensign had been serving aboard USS WINSLOW (TB-5), a vessel type considered the ancestor of the modern destroyer. Bagley was the first naval officer to die in action during the war. The ensign would have been very proud of his namesake.

USS BAGLEY, like most “new construction”, initially cruised the warm waters of the Caribbean as a member of DESDIV 7, Battle Force. Fleet maneuvers took her to the coast of Florida, the seas off Panama, and, ultimately, to the West Coast.

DD-386 was moored in East Loch, Pearl Harbor, when Japanese forces attacked the American naval anchorage on December 7, 1941. The valiant destroyer opened fire immediately and contributed to the downing of several raiders. Later in the morning, she broke free of the harbor and supported the meager forces available to defend the Hawaiian Islands against the invasion that everyone expected immediately. It didn’t happen.

For the next six months, BAGLEY served in various patrol and escort roles, interrupted with raids on Bouganville and Salamaua-Lae. She steamed into the maelstrom of Guadalcanal in August. Her accurate anti-aircraft fire splashed at least one Japanese engaged during the battle of Savo Island and she was credited with saving the lives of several hundred when USS ASTORIA (CA-34), USS VINCENNES (CA-44), and USS QUINCY (CA-39) suffered under the enemy attack.

As the fleet moved up the Solomon chain, forcing the Japanese back toward the Home Islands, BAGLEY screened major fleet units as well as reverting to her original role as convoy escort. With her duties around Bouganville at an end, she was assigned to Mare Island Navy Yard for a major refit.

DD-386 returned to the Pacific fleet in time for the major actions in the final thrust toward Japan. Her accurate gunfire contributed to the bombardments of Tinian and Saipan, soon to become major bases in the aerial bombardment of Japan. Within weeks, she was providing the same services at Yap, in the Bonin Islands, and during raids in the central Philippines. Her yeoman services during the battle Leyte Gulf, the invasion of Iwo Jima, and the Okinawa campaign earned her mention in campaign reports.

On August 31, 1945, USS BAGLEY carried RADM F.E.M. Whiting to Marcus Island to receive the surrender of the Japanese forces on the island. Her final assignment was on occupation duty in the Nagasaki area.

DD-386 returned to the United States in November 1945 and was decommissioned on June 14, 1946. She was sold for scrapping in 1947.

USS DRAYTON DD-366 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

The third Bagley (DD-386) was launched 3 September 1936 by Norfolk Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss Bella Worth Bagley, sister of Ensign Bagley; commissioned 12 June 1937, Lieutenant Commander E. W. Morris in command; and reported to the Atlantic Squadron.

Bagley operated along the east coast and in Cuban waters during the first year following her commissioning. Assigned to Destroyer Division 7, Battle Force, in June 1938, she participated in fleet maneuvers in the Canal Zone, Haitian-Cuban-Florida area, and later on the west coast.

On 7 December 1941 Bagley was moored at Pearl Harbor and when the Japanese planes attacked, she opened fire immediately and assisted in the destruction of several enemy airplanes. Between December 1941 and 30 May 1942, when she arrived in Brisbane, Australia, Bagley performed patrol and escort duties in the Central and Eastern Pacific, taking part in raids on Bougainville (20 February 1942) and Salamaua-Lae (10 March). Between 7 and 30 August 1942 she was at Guadalcanal and took part in the First Battle of Savo Island (9 August) splashing one plane. Following the battle she rescued approximately 450 survivors of Astoria (CA-34), Vincennes (CA-44), and Quincy (CA-39).

From September 1942 until December 1943 Bagley escorted convoys in the South Pacific, except for a brief period supporting the invasion of Woodlark Island (1-2 July 1943). Between 15 December 1943 and 10 February 1944 she performed screening, picket, and escort duties during the invasion of New Britain. Returning to Mare Island Navy Yard 27 February she underwent a complete overhaul and returned to the Pacific 5 May 1944.

Between 13 June 1944 and 24 May 1945 Bagley took part in the bombardment of Tinian and Saipan Islands (13 June-20 July 1944); Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June); bombardment of the Bonin and Volcano Islands (1-2 September); bombardment of Yap Island (7-8 September); invasion of the Southern Palau islands (9 September-6 October); raids on Nansei Shoto, Formosa, and the Northern and Central Philippines (10-21 October); Leyte invasion (22-31 October); Battle of Leyte Gulf (25 October); invasion of Lingayen Gulf (1-23 January 1945); invasion of Iwo Jima (16 February-12 March); and the invasion of Okinawa (25 March-24 May).

On 31 August 1945 Bagley, with Rear Admiral F. E. M. Whiting embarked, arrived at Marcus Island and received the surrender of the island. Between 2 September and 1 November 2945 she served in the Sasebo-Nagasaki area on occupation duty, a fitting end to her distinguished war service.

Bagley returned to the United States in November 1945 and was decommissioned 14 June 1946. She was sold 3 October 1947.