USS Cassin (DD-372)

The second USS "Cassin" (DD-372) was a "Mahan"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Stephen Cassin.

History

"Cassin" was launched 28 October 1935 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. H. C. Lombard; and commissioned 21 August 1936, Lieutenant Commander A. G. Noble in command.

"Cassin" underwent alterations until March 1937, then cruised to the Caribbean and Brazil. In April 1938 she joined forces at Pearl Harbor for the annual fleet exercises in the Hawaiian Islands and the Panama Canal Zone. During 1939, she operated on the west coast with torpedo and gunnery schools, and on 1 April 1940 was assigned to the Hawaiian Detachment. "Cassin" sailed on maneuvers and patrol in the Pacific, cruising from February to April 1941 to Samoa, Australia, and Fiji. Fall of 1941 found her calling at west coast ports.

"Cassin" was in drydock with "Downes" (DD-375) and "Pennsylvania" (BB-38) at Pearl Harbor during the attack on 7 December 1941. In the Japanese attack, an incendiary bomb exploded "Downes"' fuel tanks, causing uncontrollable fires on board both "Downes" and "Cassin". "Cassin" slipped from her keel blocks and rested against "Downes". Both ships were considered lost, and "Cassin" was decommissioned as of 7 December 1941. However, salvage saved "Cassin", and she was towed to Mare Island Navy Yard for rebuilding.

World War II

Recommissioned 5 February 1944, "Cassin" reported at Pearl Harbor 22 April, and was assigned escort duty from Majuro until August. By shooting out caves and bombarding Aguijan Island, she aided in the consolidation of Tinian from 15 to 25 August, and then assumed escort duties out of Saipan. She took part in the bombardment of Marcus Island on 9 October. With the same force which had struck at Marcus, "Cassin" sailed on to join TG 38.1 on 16 October. "Cassin" steamed northeast of Luzon during the Leyte landings, and when the landings had been successfully launched, was dispatched with her group to refuel and replenish at Ulithi. However, when TF 38 made contact with the Japanese Center Force rounding the southern cape of Mindoro, bound for its part in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, "Cassin's" group was recalled to join the approaching action. In the afternoon of 25 October, her group at last reached position to launch aircraft which attacked the Japanese ships in one of the longest-range carrier strikes of the war.

"Cassin's" next assignment was to the preparations for the assault on Iwo Jima. On the night of 11-12 November 1944, and again on 24 January 1945, she bombarded the island, and otherwise engaged in patrol, escort, and radar picket duties around Saipan. On 23 February, she sailed from Saipan to escort an ammunition ship to newly invaded Iwo Jima, returning to Guam 28 February with a hospital ship. She returned to Iwo Jima in mid-March for radar picket and air-sea rescue duty. With periods at Guam and Saipan for replenishment and repairs, she continued on this duty through most of the remainder of the war.

"Cassin" endured a typhoon on 6 June 1945, losing one of her men overboard, as well as a motor whaleboat. On 20 July, she bombarded Kita, Iwo Jima, and on 7 August, she boarded and searched a Japanese hospital ship to insure compliance with international law. Since there were no violations, she allowed the Japanese ship to proceed on its way. With the war over, she continued air-sea rescue off Iwo Jima, guarding the air evacuation of released prisoners of war from Japan.

Fate

She returned to Norfolk, Virginia, 1 November 1945, and was decommissioned there 17 December 1945. "Cassin" was sold 25 November 1947.

"Cassin" received six battle stars for World War II service.

References

*Daniel Madsen "Resurrection-Salvaging the Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor". U. S. Naval Institute Press. 2003
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c4/cassin-ii.htm

External links

*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/372.htm