USS Maddox (DD-622)

USS "Maddox" (DD-622), a "Gleaves"-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Captain William A. T. Maddox.

"Maddox" was laid down 7 May 1942 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey; launched 15 September 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Ellen-Venita Browning Wilhoit Gay, great granddaughter of Captain Maddox; and commissioned 31 October 1942, Lieutenant Commander Eugene S. Sarsfield in command.

After shakedown, "Maddox" departed New York 2 January 1943 for Norfolk, Virginia where she commenced escort duties. Following her first two convoy missions, safeguarding fleet oilers plying between Norfolk and the petroleum centers of Galveston, Texas and Aruba, "Maddox" began a series of trans-Atlantic voyages escorting convoys from New York and Norfolk to north Africa.

On 8 June 1943, "Maddox" departed Norfolk for Oran, Algeria, where she became a unit of Task Force 81 (TF81), the assault force for the Sicilian invasion. As the assault troops landed 10 July, "Maddox" was on antisubmarine patrol about 16 miles offshore. Steaming alone, the destroyer was attacked by a German dive bomber. One of the bombs exploded "Maddox"'s after magazine, causing the ship to roll over and sink within 2 minutes. Lt. Comdr. Sarsfield was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism displayed in supervising abandon ship. His action was responsible for saving the lives of 74 of the crew.

"Maddox" was struck from the Navy list 19 August 1943.

"Maddox" received two battle stars for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m1/maddox-ii.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Maddox"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/622.htm navsource.org: USS "Maddox"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd622txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Maddox"]