DD-492 - Tin Can Sailors

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Hull Number: DD-492

Launch Date: 12/19/1941

Commissioned Date: 05/11/1942

Decommissioned Date: 05/02/1946

Voice Call Sign: DAYLIGHT (44)

Class: BENSON

BENSON Class

Data for USS Benson (DD-421) as of 1945

Length Overall: 347' 10"

Beam: 36' 1"

Draft: 13' 6"

Standard Displacement: 1,620 tons

Full Load Displacement: 2,525 tons

Fuel capacity: 2,912 barrels

Armament:

Four 5″/38 caliber guns
Two 40mm twin anti-aircraft mounts
Two 21″ quintuple torpedo tubes

Complement:

16 Officers
260 Enlisted

Propulsion:

4 Boilers
2 Bethlehem Turbines: 47,000 horsepower

Highest speed on trials: 36.7 knots

Namesake: THEODERUS BAILEY

THEODERUS BAILEY

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

Born at Chateaugay, NY, 12 April 1805, Theoderus Bailey was appointed a Midshipman in 1818. He was commended for energy, enterprise, and gallantry in the war with Mexico. During the Civil War he was Admiral Farragut’s second in command at the battle of New Orleans. Rear Admiral Bailey died at Washington, DC, 10 February 1877.

Disposition:

Sunk as target 29 deg 47.1 min N., 79 deg 52 min W.

USS BAILEY DD-492 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

The third Bailey (DD-492) was launched 19 December 1941 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Staten Island, NY; sponsored by Mrs. Mary de Peyster Charles, granddaughter of Admiral Bailey; commissioned 11 May 1942, Lieutenant Commander P. D. Karns, Jr., in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

In the Pacific, Bailey joined TF 8 on patrol in the Aleutian Islands. On 12 January 1943 she supported the unopposed invasion of Amchitka Island and on 26 March took part in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands. During a torpedo attack, in which she scored several gunfire hits on the Japanese heavy cruiser Nacki, Bailey received three direct hits from 8-inch shells which killed five and wounded six men, and caused major damage to the ship. For this action she was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. After undergoing temporary repairs at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Bailey arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard 8 April 1943 for permanent repairs.

Repairs completed, she arrived at Pearl Harbor 15 October 1943. Between November 1943 and October 1944 Bailey acted as a fire-support, picket, and patrol ship in the Invasions of Tarawa (20 November-7 December 1943), Maloelap and Kwajalein, Marshall Islands (30 January-29 February 1944) ; Saipan and Tinian, Marianas Islands (15 June-28 July) ; and Peleliu and Angaur, Palau Islands (15 September-2 October).

On the night of 1October 1944 she underwent two severe strafing attacks while on picket duty off the Palaus. Damage was extensive; 9 men were killed and 16 wounded. Following emergency repairs Bailey proceeded to Mare Island for permanent repairs, arriving 25 October.

Returning to Pearl Harbor 24 December 1944, she supported the landings on Mindanao (10 March-10 April 1945) and on Borneo (27 April-22 July). Between August and November 1945 she was engaged in training in Far Eastern waters.

On 11 December 1945 she arrived at Boston for inactivation and went out of commission in reserve at Charleston, SC, 2 May 1946.

Bailey received nine battle stars, in addition to the Navy Unit Commendation, for her services in the Pacific.