USS Metcalf (DD-595)

USS ''Metcalf'' (DD-595), was a of the United States Navy named for James Metcalf, who served on the schooner during the First Barbary War.

Namesake

James Metcalf, also spelled Medcalf in records, boarded schooner as a seaman at Malta on 16 May 1803. On 19 September 1804 he was promoted to boatswain's mate and transferred the next day to the brig . He also served on the frigates and . On 16 February 1804 Metcalf was one of 84 handpicked volunteers from ''Enterprise'' to join Lieutenant Stephen Decatur's expedition into Tripoli Harbor on 16 February 1804 to destroy , a United States frigate captured by Tripolitan pirates in the First Barbary War.

Construction and commissioning

''Metcalf'' was laid down by Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, 10 August 1943; launched 25 September 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Harold C. Pound; and commissioned 18 November 1944.

History

Following shakedown off San Diego, California, ''Metcalf'' was assigned to the Pacific Fleet for duty. The destroyer departed Bremerton, Wash., 19 February 1945 for the Carolines via Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, arriving at Ulithi on 16 March.

Just in time to join the armada of warships staging there for the Okinawa campaign, ''Metcalf'' operated with escort carrier Group 3. From 27 March her group furnished close air support for the landings at Kerama Retto (26 March) and Okinawa (1 April), and made raids on the neighboring Japanese-held islands until 20 April. During this period the ship rescued half a dozen pilots and crewmembers of downed carrier planes. She also performed radar picket and screen operations.

''Metcalf'' departed on the 20th for the Philippines via Guam, reporting to commander, 7th Fleet, at Leyte 30 April. The destroyer spent May and June convoying the fast cruisers and transports being assembled for the Borneo invasion.

On 9 June ''Metcalf'' arrived off Brunei Bay, Borneo, for 2 days patrol of the South China Sea before beginning shore bombardment in support of the Australian landing at Brunei Bay the 10th. After action off Miri-Lutong, south of Brunei Bay, from 19 to 21 June, she reached Balikpapan on the 27th for operations with Task Force 74 (TF 74) prior to the main landing by Australian troops 1 July.

''Metcalf'' reported to commander, Philippine sea frontier, 4 August for duty escorting convoys between the Philippines and Okinawa. She was one day out of Okinawa in antisubmarine formation for Convoy 10K-204 when the Japanese capitulated.

Assigned to the newly formed North China Force, the destroyer departed Okinawa 4 September to participate in the landing of Army occupation forces at Korea. ''Metcalf'' joined , , and in leading Task Unit 78.1.15 (TU 78.1.15) into Jinsen 8 September through the mine-infested Yellow Sea. She stood ready to provide fire support for the landing troops the next day if needed.

On 12 September ''Metcalf'' got underway through the Yellow Sea for operations supporting the occupation of China. Her ports of call included Dairen, Qinhuangdao, Taku, Yantai, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

In early 1946 ''Metcalf'' steamed for the west coast, via Pearl Harbor, arriving San Diego to report in March to the 16th (Inactive Reserve) Fleet. She decommissioned March 1946, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet there. After berthing at Long Beach, California, from 1 July 1951 into 1960, ''Metcalf'' moved to Stockton, California.

''Metcalf'' was stricken 2 January 1971; she was sold 6 June 1972 and broken up for scrap.

''Metcalf'' received three battle stars for World War II service.

References

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External links

navsource.org: USS ''Metcalf''ussmetcalf.com: USS "Metcalf"

{{DEFAULTSORT:Metcalf (DD-595)
World War II destroyers of the United States
Ships built in Bremerton, Washington
1944 ships
Fletcher-class destroyers of the United States Navy