From: Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-ONE
To: Chief of Naval Operations

Subj: Command History

Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 5750.7

Encl: (1) Command History Destroyer Squadron 21

1. In Compliance with reference (a) enclosure (1) is forwarded.

F.W. SILK

COMMAND HISTORY
DESTROYER SQUADRON TWENTY-ONE

  The Squadron insignia of Destroyer Squadron 21, a rampant lion with trident sweeping the seas under the Southern Cross, aptly describes the formation and early World War II history of the squadron.

See alternative initial organization and date.

  First formed at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides on 10 March 1943, under the command of Captain F. X. McINERNEY, DESRON 21 was the first squadron composed exclusively of the then new powerful 2100 ton destroyers. The Squadron was first organized with the following ships:

DESDIV 41 NICHOLAS (DD 449) O’BANNON (DD 450) CHEVALIER (DD 451) STRONG (DD 467) TAYLOR (DD 468) DESDIV 42 FLETCHER (DD 445) RADFORD (DD 446) JENKINS (DD 447) LA VALLETTE (DD 448)

NICHOLAS carried the Squadron Commander’s Broad Command Pennant and remained the flagship throughout World War II.

  The new Squadron went into action immediately. Operating under the Southern Cross in the Solomons area, DESRON 21 made anti-shipping and anti-submarine sweeps. 

RO-34 was detected by Strong and attacked by O’Bannon on 5 April, then finished off on 7 April by Strong.

The O’BANNON (DD 450) was the first to draw blood when she sank, on 5 April 1943, the Japanese submarine RO-34 by gunfire after forcing the submarine to the surface. During the months of March and April Squadron ships also bombarded Vila Stanmore in the Kula Gulf and Kolombangara.

  During May and June 1943 the Squadron operated from Espiritu Santo, conducting search and attacks against Japanese shipping, and convoy and escort duties. The tempo of action increased in July. On the 5th and 6th of this month Squadron ships bombarded Vila, Kolombangara and Bairoko; the Squadron suffered its first loss when USS STRONG (DD 467) was torpedoed and sunk on the night of 5 July. On 6 and 7 July DESRON 21 forces joined in the Battle of Kula Gulf. In a night battle with 10 enemy destroyers 2 enemy ships were destroyed. When the USS HELENA (CL 50) was sunk, NICHOLAS and RADFORD went to the aid of the stricken cruiser and rescued survivors under heavy attack of Japanese forces.

  After a short respite, the destroyers of DESRON 21 were again in action on 13 July in the Battle of Kolombangara (Second Battle of Kula Gulf). DESRON 21 ships helped sink the Japanese cruiser JINTSU, aided the badly damaged U.S. cruisers HONOLULU (CL 48) and ST. LOUIS (CL 49) and rescued survivors of the GWIN (DD 433), which was sunk by the enemy. During the last two weeks of July the Squadron continued on patrol and escort duty in the Solomons Slot and NICHOLAS, O’BANNON and RADFORD distinguished themselves by a dangerous, high speed run through enemy forces to pick up HELENA survivors on the Japanese held island of Vella La Vella.

  During a well-earned rest and upkeep at Nouméa, New Caledonia, Captain T. J. RYAN assumed command of the Squadron; and on 11 August DESRON 21 returned to anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols in the Slot. On 17 August 1943, four of the ships intercepted 4 enemy destroyer types escorting landing barges north of Vella La Vella. During this night action, two enemy ships were sunk and the barges destroyed. In September, the squadron returned to Nouméa for a three-week availability, interrupted from time to time by escort duty. On return to the Solomons area DESRON 21 operated from Purvis Bay on the now routine patrols and anti-shipping searches. From 29 September through 4 October, in successive night actions, Squadron ships sank many enemy landing barges attempting evacuation of Kolombangara.

  On 3 October Captain A. D. CHANDLER relieved Captain RYAN as Squadron Commander and took the squadron into action in the night battle of Vella La Vella. 

Chevalier was in fact scuttled following this engagement, which took place 7 October.

In this engagement, O’BANNON and CHEVALIER encountered nine enemy destroyers and sank the YUGUMO. O’BANNON and CHEVALIER were damaged. The rest of the month was quiet with routine upkeep, training and patrols. CHEVALIER was detached from the Squadron for repairs, being replaced by USS HOPEWELL (DD 681).

  November 1943 marked the end of eight months of almost constant action in the Solomons for DESRON 21. The squadron journeyed to the Fiji Islands and rested at Viti Levu for a few days then joined up with Carrier Task Force 50 (YORKTOWN and LEXINGTON) in raids on Jaluit, Milne, Making, Kwajalein, Wotje and Taroa. Following the month of task force operations DESRON 21 headed for home and overhauls at west coast shipyards.

  During the last week of January 1944 the Squadron reformed enroute to Pearl Harbor and conducted training and exercises in the Hawaiian area until the middle of March, interrupted by a convoy assignment to Kwajalein and carrier escort duty returning to Pearl. During this period NICHOLAS and RADFORD were presented Presidential Unit Citations for performance in the Battles of Kula Gulf and the rescue of survivors of HELENA.

  In early April 1944 DESRON 21 arrived off Milne Bay, New Guinea and spent two weeks of amphibious exercises and rehearsals. From 18 April until 12 May the Squadron returned to action with bombardment and gunfire support for the landings at Aitape, New Guinea; by escorting supply vessels to Cape Sudest, Aitape, Humbolt Bay and Tanemerah Bay, and in convoying LSTs and other landing craft to the Russell Islands.

  After a 10 day availability at Nouméa, the Squadron shifted base of operations to Blanche Harbor, Treasury Islands. From this base DESRON 21 ships bombarded targets on New Ireland Island and conducted anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols until the end of July 1944. During July USS HOWORTH (DD 592) joined the Squadron, and on 18 July Captain J.K.B GINDER took over as Squadron Commander. During the months of August and September, DESRON 21 shifted its base to Manus Island and Humbolt Bay. From these ports the ships performed anti-submarine patrols, escort duty and shore bombardment on New Guinea targets and assisted in another landing assault, this one on Morotai. In September, USS O’BANNON (DD 450) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for action in the Solomons, making three ships of DESRON 21 so honored.

  On 18 October 1944 DESRON 21 joined the force attacking Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. During the assault all ships were under heavy enemy air attack. The remainder of October and the months of November and December were spent in the Leyte Gulf area on patrols, in anti-shipping sweeps, shore bombardment, gunfire support and other varied tasks assigned the multi-purpose destroyer. On 27 November squadron ships fought off one of the heaviest air attacks yet encountered with but minor damage to some of the ships.

  On 4 January 1945 DESRON 21 joined a group of Task Force 77 for the drive up the Philippine Islands, aiding in the assault on Lingayen Gulf and screening the carrier force during air strikes on Luzon. For the next four months the Squadron operated from Subic Bay; in February the ships participated in almost daily bombardment and gunfire support in operations in the Manila Bay area, including bombardment of targets on Southern Bataan and on Corregidor Island. During this period HOPEWELL and FLETCHER were damaged by enemy gunfire and on 14 February both LA VALLETTE and RADFORD sustained damage from enemy mines during operations inside Manila Bay. On 24 February four ships of the Squadron bombarded targets on Palawan Island and covered landings on Palawan. At the end of February USS HOWORTH (DD 592) was detached from the Squadron and USS ROSS (DD 563) joined. In March ships protected minesweepers near Mindanao and participated in air strikes on Zamboanga, bombarding Caldera Point; and from 24 to 28 March squadron units covered the landings on Cebu Island. In April ships covered landings on Carabao Island, off Manila Bay, and from 24 April until 3 May participated with a cruiser force in providing gunfire support, bombardment and coverage of minesweeping operations in the attacks on Tarakan Island, Borneo.

  After availability as Subic and Leyte Gulf, in June 1945, the Squadron served briefly in the Okinawa Campaign, screening carrier task forces in support of the Okinawa landings. Following this, for the final two months of World War II, DESRON 21 was assigned to Task Force 38, screening logistic forces and operating out of Ulithi. On 29 July 1945 Captain H.B. HENEBERGER took command of the Squadron.

  On 23 August 1945 three ships of DESRON 21 joined the MISSOURI, with Admiral W.F. HALSEY aboard, for the triumphant entry into Tokyo Bay. After anchoring at Sagami Wan, the force entered Tokyo Bay on 29 August. During the Japanese surrender ceremony on MISSOURI, NICHOLAS ferried U.S. Army and Allied representatives from shore to the MISSOURI, and TAYLOR performed similar duty for press representatives. After the surrender other ships of the Squadron joined up and remained in Japanese waters until 1 October, aiding in the evacuation of Americans from Japanese prison camps and supporting the occupation forces.

  The job finished, the Squadron departed for home and arrived at various west coast ports in mid-October. Throughout the remainder of 1945 the ships underwent overhaul and inactivation, and on 31 December 1945, with the mothballing of the last ship, the original DESRON 21 ceased to exist.

  In the short 2 years and 10 months of its existence, the World War II Squadron 21 set a proud record, participating fully in the capture, occupation and consolidation of the Solomons, New Guinea, New Ireland and the Philippines, and aiding in the initial strikes on the enemy home island of Okinawa. Ships attached to the Squadron during this period earned three Presidential Unit Citations, 1 Navy Unit Commendation (USS TAYLOR) and a total of 168 battle stars on their Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbons.

  During the Fleet reorganization in January 1946, a new DESRON 21 was formed when DESRON 64 was redesignated. At the time of the change, the new Squadron 21 was operating with the SEVENTH Fleet on China patrol, operating on the North China mail run and similar duties. Squadron Commander at this time was Captain E.N. PARKER, and the ships of his squadron were the following new 2250 tonners:

DESDIV 211 HARRY E. HUBBARD (DD 748) ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM (DD 752) JOHN R. PIERCE (DD 753) FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) DESDIV 212 LOFBERG (DD 759) JOHN W. THOMPSON (DD 760) BUCK (DD 761) JOHN A. BOLE (DD 755)

The Squadron Commander’s Flagship was the HARRY E. HUBBARD. In April 1946 the Squadron returned to the west coast for overhaul, demobilization and inactivation.

  During overhaul, in September 1946, Captain J.F. GALLAHER took command of the Squadron, and on 16 December 1946, Destroyer Squadron 21 was again erased from the Fleet organization with the inactivation or transfer of all DESDIV 211 ships. DESDIV 212 remained in service for another six months until July 1946. During this period, two division commanders, Captain J.B. GRAGG and Captain J. ANDREWS, Jr., were assigned for short periods.

  For almost eight years there was no Destroyer Squadron 21 in the Fleet organization. Then on 9 December 1954, DESRON 18 arrived in San Diego from the east coast, reported to COMCRUDESPAC, and was redesignated Destroyer Squadron 21. The newly formed squadron was under the command of Captain B.A. FUETSCH and was composed of the following ships:

  

DESDIV 211 BRAINE (DD 630) (Flagship) ISHERWOOD (DD 520) MULLANY (DD 528) STODDARD (DD 566) DESDIV 212 AMMEN (DD 527) COGSWELL (DD 651) INGERSOLL (DD 652) KNAPP (DD 653)

and again, a Squadron 21, of all 2100 tonners, was operating in the Pacific Fleet.

  One month after formation, on 9 January 1955, the third DESRON 21 departed San Diego for employment with the SEVENTH Fleet in WESTPAC. During this tour squadron ships aided in the evacuation of the Tachen Islands and kept a watchful patrol in the Formosa Straits. The Squadron returned to its homeport of San Diego for upkeep and routine operations with the FIRST fleet.

  In December 1955 Captain. M.A. PETERSON assumed command of the Squadron and in February 1956 took his squadron to the Far East for another tour of duty with the SEVENTH fleet, returning to San Diego in August 1956. In October 1956, KNAPP (DD 565) was detached from the Squadron and in January 1957 the new USS McCAIN (DL 3) joined the squadron and replaced BRAINE as flagship, BRAINE moving to Division 212. In the same month, Captain C.A. JOHNSON moved aboard the new flagship as squadron commander.

  The tour of duty in the Far East from April 1957 to October 1957 was a routine and quiet deployment, featured by the visit of several of the squadron ships to Australia and the Fiji Islands. During the 8 month period before the next WESTPAC assignment, DESRON 21 participated in ASWEX, STRIKEX and other fleet exercises. In April 1958 McCAIN (DL 3) was transferred from the Squadron and BRAINE (DD 630) was again shifted to DESDIV 211 and became Squadron Flagship. In May 1958 Captain T.M. FLECK relieved as Squadron Commander.

  In June 1958 the Squadron departed for a busy WESTPAC tour, with the routine Formosa Patrol, carrier task group operations, and in addition, assignment of ships to nuclear weapons tests in mid-Pacific, and port visits to Singapore and other Malayan ports. The Squadron returned to her home port in time for Christmas, December 1958. In January 1959, the USS ORLECK (DD 886) joined DESRON 21 and became Squadron Flagship, BRAINE shifting back to DESDIV 212. In May 1959 the Squadron Commander’s job passed to Captain T.R. VOGELEY, and in July 1959 Captain VOGELEY was relieved by Captain R. C. MORTON. In August 1959 Squadron 21 departed for its fifth tour of WESTPAC, returning to San Diego in January 1960.

  In March 1960, ORLECK was detached from the Squadron and USS GREGORY (DD 802) joined as Flagship. In July 1960 the AMMEN (DD 527) was seriously damaged in a collision and was inactivated, and USS STODDARD was shifted from DESDIV 211 to DESDIV 212. In August 1960 Captain W.M. KAUFMAN took command of DESRON 21 and led the squadron through a tour of duty with the SEVENTH Fleet in the Far East. This tour was marked by continuous alerts and much time at sea due to conditions in Southeast Asia. DESDIV 211 returned to San Diego in April 1961 and DESDIV 212, delayed by conditions in Laos, returned in May.

  On return to the United States in 1961, ISHERWOOD (DD 520) was detached from the Squadron for loan to the Peruvian Navy. USS UHLMANN (DD 687) and USS McDERMUT (DD 677) were then assigned to DESDIV 211. At this time the squadron organization was:

DESDIV 211 GREGORY (DD 802) (Flagship) MULLANY (DD 528) UHLMANN (DD 687) McDERMUT (DD 677) DESDIV 212 BRAINE (DD 630) INGERSOLL (DD 652) COGSWELL (DD 651) STODDARD (DD 566)

  During shipyard overhaul, in June 1961, the Squadron was under the acting command of Captain O.D. COMPTON, COMDESDIV 212. Captain COMPTON was relieved in July 1961 by Captain S.T. ORME, who was acting Commodore until relieved in August by Captain W.K. ROGERS. Captain ROGERS commanded DESRON 21 through its seventh tour of duty in WESTPAC, departing from San Diego on 6 January 1962 and returning home in July. This tour was marked by alerts and high readiness due to communist activity in Southeast Asia and China.

  In August 1962 Captain D.L. HARRIS took over Squadron command, and in October 1962 UHLMANN (DD 687) was detached from DESRON 21. The Squadron participated in routine exercises; with an upkeep period in San Diego interrupted by the Cuban crisis in October. On short notice Squadron 21 was ready for sea and escorted a large amphibious force to the Panama Canal Zone. When the tension slackened, DESRON 21 returned to San Diego in late November 1962. In April, May and June of 1963, units of the Squadron paid Armed Forces Week visits to Eureka, Concord and Stockton, California; were guests at the Maritime Festival in Vancouver, B.C. and visited Portland, Oregon during their Rose Festival.

  In early 1963 USS FLOYD B. PARKS (DD 884) joined DESRON 21. In July 1963, the present Commodore, Captain F.W. SILK, took command and shifted flagships to the FLOYD B. PARKS. In September 1963, GREGORY and McDERMUT suffered damage in a collision and were transferred from the squadron and inactivated in November. COGSWELL (DD 651) was transferred to DESDIV 211 from DESDIV 212.

  DESRON 21 departed its home port for its 8th tour of Far East duty on 17 October 1963, and at the start of the New Year 1964 is with the SEVENTH Fleet, participating in carrier task group operations, patrolling the Formosa Straits, and spreading good will to the people of Japan and Taiwan with an active and imaginative People to People program.

COMPOSITION OF DESTROYER SQUADRON 21
MARCH 1943 – JANUARY 1964

10 MAR 1943: Squadron formed:   DESDIV 41 NICHOLAS (DD 449) O’BANNON (DD 450) CHEVALIER (DD 451) STRONG (DD 467) TAYLOR (DD 468) DESDIV 42 FLETCHER (DD 445) RADFORD (DD 446) JENKINS (DD 447) LA VALLETTE (DD 448) 5 JUL 1943: STRONG (DD 467) sunk by enemy action at Kolombangara, Solomons. OCT 1943: Chevalier was in fact scuttled following this engagement. CHEVALIER (DD 451) damaged on 7 October in Battle of Vella La Vella; detached from squadron. HOPEWELL (DD 681) assigned to squadron (DESDIV 41). JUL 1944: HOWORTH (DD 592) assigned to Squadron. FEB 1945: HOWORTH (DD 592) detached from Squadron. ROSS (DD 562) assigned to Squadron. 31 DEC 1945: All ships inactivated. 1 JAN 1946: DESRON 64 redesignated DESRON 21. Composed of:   DESDIV 211 HARRY E. HUBBARD (DD 748) ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM (DD 752) JOHN R. PIERCE (DD 753) FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) DESDIV 212 LOFBERG (DD 759) JOHN W. THOMPSON (DD 760) BUCK (DD 761) JOHN A. BOLE (DD 755) 16 DEC 1946: DESDIV 211 inactivated. DESRON 21 disestablished. JUL 1946: DESDIV 212 inactivated. 9 DEC 1954: DESRON 18 redesignated DESRON 21. Composed of:   DESDIV 211 BRAINE (DD 630) (Flagship) ISHERWOOD (DD 520) MULLANY (DD 528) STODDARD (DD 566) DESDIV 212 AMMEN (DD 527) COGSWELL (DD 651) INGERSOLL (DD 652) KNAPP (DD 653) OCT 1956: KNAPP (DD 653) detached from Squadron. JAN 1957: McCAIN (DL 3) assigned to DESDIV 211. Squadron Flagship. BRAINE (DD 630) shifted to DESDIV 212. APR 1958: McCAIN (DL 3) detached from Squadron. BRAINE (DD 630) shifted to DESDIV 211 as Squadron Flagship. JAN 1959: ORLECK (DD 886) assigned to DESDIV 211 as Flagship. BRAINE (DD 630) shifted to DESDIV 212. MAR 1960: ORLECK (DD 886) detached from Squadron. GREGORY (DD 802) assigned to Squadron (DESDIV 211) as Flagship. JUL 1960: AMMEN (DD 527) damaged in collision and detached from Squadron. STODDARD (DD 566) shifted to DESDIV 212. JUN 1961: ISHERWOOD (DD 520) detached from Squadron. AUG 1961: UHLMANN (DD 687) assigned to DESDIV 211. SEP 1961: McDERMUT (DD 677) assigned to DESDIV 211. OCT 1962: UHLMANN (DD 687) detached from Squadron. JUN 1963: FLOYD B. PARKS (DD 884) assigned to DESDIV 211. AUG 1963: FLOYD B. PARKS (DD 884) designated Squadron Flagship. NOV 1963: GREGORY (DD 802) and McDERMUT (DD 677) detached from Squadron. COGSWELL (DD 651) shifted to DESDIV 211. JAN 1964: Present composition of DESRON 21:   DESDIV 211 FLOYD B. PARKS (DD 884) (FF) MULLANY (DD 528) COGSWELL (DD 651) DESDIV 212 BRAINE (DD 630) INGERSOLL (DD 652) STODDARD (DD 566)