USS Borie (DD-215)

The first USS "Borie" (DD-215) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie.

History

"Borie" was launched 4 October 1919 by William Cramp and Sons; sponsored by Miss Patty Borie, great-grandniece of Secretary Borie; and commissioned 24 March 1920, Lieutenant Commander E. F. Clement in command.

In April 1920 "Borie" joined the United States Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters for service in the Black Sea. The following year she reported to Destroyer Division 38, Asiatic Fleet, and for the next four years alternated between the Philippine Islands, during the winter and Chefoo and Shanghai, China, during the summer. She then returned home and patrolled in the Caribbean until the spring of 1927 when she made a cruise to Europe. "Borie" remained with the Atlantic Fleet until 1929 when she began a three-year tour with the Asiatic Fleet.

Fate

Following conversion to a Squadron Leader at San Diego (1932-33) she joined Destroyer Squadron 2, Battle Force. She remained in the Pacific on normal destroyer duty until late 1939 and then transited the Panama Canal to join the Neutrality Patrol. After the breakout of hostilities between the US and the Axis powers, she served first on the Inshore Patrol, 15th Naval District, in Panama Bay, and later on patrol and escort in the Caribbean. On 26 June 1943 the destroyer departed the Caribbean and on 30 July put to sea as a member of the offensive antisubmarine group built around "Card" (CVE-11). "Borie" completed three patrols with the "Card" group. On 1 November 1943, during the next patrol, she engaged the German submarine U-405 at 49°00' N., 31°14' W. The destroyer initially fired depth charges, after which the submarine came (was probably forced) to the surface. "Borie" then rammed U-405. After the ramming the Borie was high-centered on top of U-405, and until they separated exchanges of small arms fire took place. Finally, U-405 and "Borie" separated and the submarine sank with the loss of all 49 crew members. "Borie" lost 27 crew members and was too badly damaged by the collision to be towed to port; she was sunk by "Barry" (DD-248) the next day.

Borie received three battle stars for her World War II service as well as the Presidential Unit Citation (US) for her actions in the "Card" group.

See USS "Borie" for other ships of this name.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b8/borie-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/ussborie/index.html USS "Borie" home page] at [http://www.destroyerhistory.org/index.html Destroyer History Foundation]
* [http://www.uboat.net/boats/u405.htm U-405]
*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/215.htm