Intro
Discover the USS Stewart DE-238, a World War II destroyer escort ship that played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater. Learn about its construction, combat history, and fate, as well as its significance in naval warfare and the role of destroyer escorts in convoy protection and anti-submarine warfare during WWII.
The USS Stewart (DE-238) was a destroyer escort ship that played a significant role in World War II. The ship was named after Rear Admiral Charles Stewart, a US Navy officer who served during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812.
Commissioned on May 31, 1944, the USS Stewart was one of the many destroyer escort ships built by the United States during World War II. These ships were designed to escort convoys of merchant ships and protect them from enemy submarines and surface raiders.
Design and Construction
The USS Stewart was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort, which was a class of destroyer escorts built by the US Navy during World War II. The ship was 306 feet (93 meters) long, with a beam of 36 feet 10 inches (11.2 meters) and a draft of 13 feet 4 inches (4.1 meters). It had a displacement of 1,350 tons and a crew of 186 officers and enlisted men.
The USS Stewart was powered by two diesel engines, which produced 6,000 horsepower. The ship had a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h) and a range of 5,500 nautical miles (10,186 kilometers).
Armament and Electronics
The USS Stewart was armed with two 5-inch (127mm) guns, three 21-inch (533mm) torpedo tubes, and eight 20mm anti-aircraft guns. The ship also had a Hedgehog anti-submarine projector and a depth charge projector.
The USS Stewart had a radar system, which consisted of a SG surface search radar and a SA air search radar. The ship also had a sonar system, which was used to detect and track submarines.
Service History
The USS Stewart was commissioned on May 31, 1944, at the Boston Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. After commissioning, the ship underwent a shakedown cruise in the Caribbean, during which it conducted exercises and drills to prepare for its upcoming deployment.
In August 1944, the USS Stewart departed Boston and sailed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where it joined the US Pacific Fleet. The ship then sailed to the Philippines, where it participated in the invasion of Leyte Gulf.
During the invasion, the USS Stewart provided gunfire support to the landing forces and helped to defend against enemy air attacks. The ship also participated in the Battle of Ormoc Bay, during which it helped to sink several enemy ships.
In 1945, the USS Stewart sailed to Okinawa, where it participated in the invasion of the island. The ship provided gunfire support to the landing forces and helped to defend against enemy air attacks.
Post-War Service
After the war, the USS Stewart returned to the United States and was decommissioned on November 2, 1946. The ship was placed in reserve and remained in mothballs for several years.
In 1951, the USS Stewart was recommissioned and assigned to the US Atlantic Fleet. The ship participated in several exercises and operations, including the NATO exercise "Mainbrace" in 1952.
In 1959, the USS Stewart was decommissioned again and placed in reserve. The ship was eventually sold for scrap in 1972.
Legacy
The USS Stewart (DE-238) played an important role in World War II, providing gunfire support and escorting convoys of merchant ships. The ship's service in the Pacific Theater helped to secure several key victories for the Allies, including the invasion of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Ormoc Bay.
The USS Stewart's legacy continues to be remembered today, with the ship's name and history serving as a reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the men and women who served on board.
USS Stewart DE-238 Image Gallery
What was the USS Stewart's primary mission during World War II?
+The USS Stewart's primary mission during World War II was to escort convoys of merchant ships and protect them from enemy submarines and surface raiders.
What was the USS Stewart's role in the invasion of Leyte Gulf?
+The USS Stewart provided gunfire support to the landing forces and helped to defend against enemy air attacks during the invasion of Leyte Gulf.
What was the USS Stewart's fate after World War II?
+The USS Stewart was decommissioned in 1946 and placed in reserve. The ship was eventually sold for scrap in 1972.
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