USS Kleinsmith (DE-376)

USS "Kleinsmith" (DE-376) would have been a "Rudderow"-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, the first Navy ship named for Chief Watertender Charles Kleinsmith (1904–1942), who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism during the Battle of Midway.

The name "Kleinsmith" was assigned to DE-376 on 31 May 1944, but construction of the ship was cancelled on 6 June 1944. Subsequently, the name was reassigned to another destroyer escort, "Kleinsmith" (DE-718), which was converted into a "Crosley"-class fast transport and launched in January 1945.

References

*DANFS|http://history.navy.mil/danfs/k4/kleinsmith.htm