DE-721 - Tin Can Sailors

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Hull Number: DE-721

Launch Date: 02/19/1944

Commissioned Date: 05/28/1945

Call Sign: NZTE

Other Designations: APD-118

Class: RUDDEROW

RUDDEROW Class

Namesake: DON OTIS WOODS

DON OTIS WOODS

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, July 2015

Don Otis Woods, born 19 May 1922 in Kearney, Nebr., enlisted in the Navy 12 June 1940 and died of wounds received in enemy action 8 August 1942. Hospital Apprentice First Class Woods was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroism in braving the fire of enemy snipers to rescue injured Marines in the assault on Gavutu, Solomon Islands, until he himself was mortally wounded.

Ship History

USS DON O. WOODS DE-721 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, July 2015

Don O. Woods (APD-118) was launched as DE-721 9 February 1944 by Dravo Corp., Neville Island, Pittsburgh, Pa.; sponsored by Mrs. H. R. Woods, mother of Hospital Apprentice First Class Woods; reclassified APD-118, 17 July 1944; floated to Orange, Tex., for completion as a high speed transport by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Tex.; and commissioned 28 May 1945, Lieutenant Commander L. H. Crosby, USNR, in command.

Don O. Woods sailed from Norfolk 9 August 1945 and was making her transit of the Panama Canal on the day hostilities ended between Japan and the United States. She called at San Diego and proceeded to Pearl Harbor, arriving 7 September. Five days later she got underway with Army and Navy passengers for Saipan, continuing to Leyte, P.I., where she arrived 7 October. She served in the Philippines until 23 January 1946 when she departed Manila for the west coast. Arriving at San Pedro, Calif., 13 February she was placed out of commission in reserve 18 June 1946.