USN · DE
AfloatJohn C. Butler-class destroyer escort, DE-343, named for Ensign William Warner Abercrombie of Torpedo Squadron 8, killed at Midway on 4 June 1942. Consolidated Steel Corporation, at Orange, Texas, laid her down on 8 November 1943 and launched her on 14 January 1944. Commissioned on 1 May 1944. Lieutenant Commander Bernard H. Katschinski, USNR, had her until 29 May 1945, when John R. Hicks, USNR, relieved him. She screened escort carriers at Leyte, was flagship of Task Group 79.9 at Lingayen Gulf, and spent the Okinawa campaign on radar picket, escort, and antisubmarine duty. Four battle stars. Decommissioned at San Diego on 15 June 1946. Struck on 1 May 1967 and sunk as a target off California on 7 January 1968.
| Class | John C. Butler class |
|---|---|
| Type | Destroyer escort (DE) |
| Hull | DE-343 |
| Builder | Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas |
| Launched | 1944-01-14 |
| Commissioned | 1944-05-01 |
| Fate | Afloat. Decommissioned at San Diego on 15 June 1946 and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Later moved to Bremerton. Struck on 1 May 1967. On 7 January 1968 she was sunk as a target off California by gunfire, missiles, and aircraft of a task group centered on Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). |
| Armament (class) | Destroyer escort. Two 5-inch guns and one funnel, on a shorter hull. |
| Command |
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Laid down, displacement, length, beam, draft, speed, and complement are not stored for each hull, so this table leaves them out.
The armament line is the class drawing, not a measurement of this hull.
Abercrombie underway in disruptive camouflage, about 1944. The hull number 343 is on the bow. U.S. Navy photograph. Public domain.
The pictures on this page are the originals.
No color version yet. Colored pictures and film will be added here.
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