USS Hall (DD-583)

USS "Hall" (DD-583) was a "Fletcher"-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Lieutenant Elijah Hall (1742–1830), who served in the Continental Navy under John Paul Jones.

"Hall" was laid down by the Boston Navy Yard 16 April 1942; launched 18 July 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Williams Greenleaf, great-granddaughter of Lt. Hall; and commissioned 6 July 1943, Commander J. F. Delaney in command.

World War II

"Hall" departed Boston, Mass. 11 August 1943, for shakedown training off the East Coast, then reported for duty at Norfolk, Va. 28 September. As escort for French transport "Richelieu", she sailed for Boston 2 October, returning 3 days later. She continued escort duties in the Norfolk and Boston areas until departing 5 November for special duty with "Halligan" (DD-584) and "Macomb" (DD-458). The three destroyers rendezvoused at sea with battleship "Iowa" (BB-61), carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt and other dignitaries to the historic Teheran Conference. After a safe crossing, the escorts were relieved of their duties near Gibraltar 17 November. They performed escort and antisubmarine search duties off western Africa until 6 December, then rejoined "Iowa" for the return voyage of the President and his party.

1944

Ordered to the Pacific, "Hall" departed Charleston, S.C. 21 December arrived Pearl Harbor 11 January 1944. She cleared Hawaii 22 January with Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner's Expeditionary Force bound for the capture and occupation of the Marshall Islands, a giant step across the Pacific toward Japan. Sent with three cruisers and three other destroyers on a special mission to wreck the airfields on Tarao Island during the invasion, "Hall" joined in the devastating bombardment of that island 30 January. Her guns knocked out a gasoline dump with a tremendous explosion, hit several gun emplacements, and then screened the larger ships during the remainder of the firing. Tarao effectively neutralized, the ships then sailed for Kwajalein and the main assault.

"Hall" carried out varied duties during the month-long invasion of the Marshalls. She supported the landing of troops on Burnet Island 4 February in the Battle of Kwajalein. During the Battle of Eniwetok, she covered the landings of Engebi Island and supplied gunfire support 18 February; and furnished starshell illumination for landings 22 to 23 February on Parry Island. After an escort voyage with transports to Pearl Harbor and back between 29 February and 26 March, "Hall" was assigned patrol and lifeguard duties in the Kwajalein area. While searching for a downed Marine flyer 4 April near Wotje she received two 6 inch shells close aboard from an enemy shore battery. Suffering one sailor killed, she returned the fire, continued her search, and finally rescuing the airman. "Hall" continued her effective role in the overwhelming amphibious victory until departing Majuro atoll 12 May for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 18 May.

"Hall" next joined the escort for a group of 12 fleet oilers whose job it was to supply vital fuel to units of the 5th Fleet during the Marianas operations. She made two fueling voyages from Majuro to the Marianas, then shifted her base to Seeadler Harbor, Admiralty Islands, 26 August to screen refueling and' replacement units during the operations for the capture of the Carolines. "Hall" continued this duty until 24 November.

Getting underway from Manus Island 29 November, "Hall" steamed to Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, to join 7th Fleet for the developing invasion of the Philippines. Convoying troop-laden amphibious ships, she arrived Leyte Gulf 7 December 1944, and 4 days later steamed out of San Pedro Bay for Mindoro Island with the Mindoro Attack Group. As the ships passed through Surigao Strait and into the Sulu Sea, they underwent frequent severe air attack, but the escort ships succeeded in downing four aircraft 13 December. "Hall" and the other escorts supported the landings at Mangarin Bay 15 December; and, as Japanese planes bombed and strafed the first wave of assault troops, "Hall" patrolled and fired from her station to seaward of the landing craft. The gunfire and covering aircraft splashed 15 dive-bombers during the initial landings.

1945

After two escort voyages to Leyte Gulf, "Hall" joined Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf's support force for the landings at Lingayen Gulf. Sailing 30 December, she steamed via the Sulu Sea for Luzon. On 3 January 1945, the group encountered desperate, but determined, enemy air strikes, which were repelled by tight air cover and effective gunfire. The Japanese attacks intensified, however; and the ships remained at nearly continuous battle stations for more than 4 days. Brave men in these gallant ships inflicted heavy damage on the attackers. Japanese kamikazes, in turn, fatally hit "Ommaney Bay" (CVE-79) 4 January, and the burning, abandoned escort carrier was sunk by American torpedoes. The next 2 days brought even heavier Japanese attacks. Despite the withering curtain of fire laid down by "Hall" and other ships of the group, the suicide raiders crashed more than 16 ships, including "California" (BB-44) and "New Mexico" (BB-40). Undaunted, the valiant ships bore the brunt of the kamikazes with resolute courage and determination. In doing so, they repelled the menace of the suicide planes and saved the transport and assault forces from certain destruction.

Following the successful amphibious assaults in Lingayen Gulf 9 January, "Hall" continued to operate in the Gulf where she served as an escort and screen ship. Later in the month she returned to Leyte before departing for Ulithi 29 January. At Ulithi "Hall" joined in the preparations for the upcoming Iwo Jima operation. On 15 February she joined a fire support unit, which included flagship "Texas" (BB-35), west of Saipan and set course for Iwo Jima. The force arrived off Iwo the next day; and, after joining in a heavy shore bombardment, "Hall" covered underwater demolition teams and furnished close fire support for minesweepers until the troops stormed ashore 19 February. After performing additional patrol and close fire support missions during this fiercely fought and strategically important invasion, "Hall" returned to Ulithi 12 March to prepare for the invasion of Okinawa, the last step on the long, bloody road to the heart of the Japanese Empire.

"Hall" departed for Okinawa 21 March with Task Force 54 (TF 54). She began patrolling off that fiercely contested island 25 March. Her gunfire drove off two Japanese torpedo boats 30 March, and shot down two aircraft 6 April. Continuing her operations she covered minesweepers with gunfire, screened heavy units of the fleet, and provided close support gunfire until steaming to Leyte 28 May. She soon returned to the scene of the action, arriving back at Okinawa 13 June. Her lookouts observed "Twiggs" (DD-591) strike a mine off the beach 16 June. "Hall" immediately came to the rescue, pulling 48 survivors from the water.

Detached from duty off Okinawa 23 June, "Hall" sailed for the United States. She was in overhaul status at San Pedro, Calif., when news of the Japanese surrender came. She reported to San Diego for inactivation, and decommissioned 10 December 1946, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Long Beach. The destroyer was taken out of reserve 2 December 1959, and, after a training period was loaned to Greece under the Military Assistance Program 9 February 1960.

HNS "Lonchi" (D-56)

The ship was accepted on 9 February 1960 by Cdr C. Moschos HN. She served in the Hellenic Navy as HNS "Lonchi" (D-56).

Decommissioned on 1 October 1990, "Lonchi" was stricken 10 October 1990. She was scrapped in 1997 at Aliaga, Turkey.

Awards

"Hall" received eight battle stars for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://history.navy.mil/danfs/h1/hall.htm

External links

* [http://history.navy.mil/danfs/h1/hall.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Hall"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/583.htm navsource.org: USS "Hall"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd583txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Hall"]
* [http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/logxi60_90_en.asp hellenicnavy.gr: HNS "Lonchi"]