USS Cassin Young

USS Cassin Young was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy named for Cassin Young, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Commissioned in late 1943, the ship served with distinction in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, surviving two separate kamikaze attacks. Following a period in reserve, she was reactivated for service during the Korean War and later served in the Atlantic Fleet before final decommissioning. Today, she is preserved as a museum ship at the Boston National Historical Park, berthed near USS Constitution.

History

The vessel was constructed as part of the massive Emergency Shipbuilding program undertaken by the United States during World War II. Her keel was laid at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation yard in San Pedro, California. Following her launch and commissioning, she joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet and was immediately deployed to the combat zones of the Central Pacific Area. The destroyer's operational history is marked by extensive participation in major naval campaigns, providing vital anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare screening for fast carrier task forces and amphibious invasion forces. After the war, like many Fletcher-class destroyers, she was placed in reserve before being modernized and returned to active service.

Design and description

As a Fletcher-class destroyer, USS Cassin Young embodied the design principles refined for frontline fleet destroyers during the war. These ships featured a length of 376 feet 6 inches and a standard displacement of over 2,000 tons. Primary armament consisted of five single-mounted 5"/38 caliber guns in dual-purpose mounts, capable of engaging both surface targets and aircraft. For close-range anti-aircraft warfare, she was originally equipped with numerous Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and Bofors 40 mm guns. The ship's anti-submarine warfare suite included depth charge projectors and racks, along with Hedgehog projectors added later. Propulsion was provided by four Babcock & Wilcox boilers powering two General Electric steam turbines, generating 60,000 shaft horsepower for a top speed exceeding 35 knots.

Service history

After shakedown cruise training off California, Cassin Young transited to the Pacific Theater of Operations in early 1944. She served with Task Force 38 during the Philippines campaign, participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and subsequent operations in the South China Sea. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, she was assigned to radar picket duty, a perilous role defending the fleet from airstrikes. On April 12, 1945, a kamikaze struck the ship, causing severe damage and casualties; after repairs at Ulithi and Guam, she returned to the picket line. On July 30, 1945, a second kamikaze hit caused further damage. Following repairs at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the war ended. Decommissioned in 1946, she was recommissioned in 1951 for the Korean War, serving with the United States Seventh Fleet on patrol and naval gunfire support missions. Post-Korea, she operated with the Atlantic Fleet, conducting exercises with NATO allies and serving as a naval reserve training ship before final decommissioning in 1960.

Awards and legacy

For her World War II service, USS Cassin Young was awarded seven battle stars. Her crew was also recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Okinawa. Following her decommissioning, the ship was transferred to the National Park Service in 1978. She is now a central feature of the Boston National Historical Park, permanently berthed at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Harbor. Maintained by the park service in partnership with the USS Cassin Young Volunteers, the ship serves as a memorial to all destroyers and their crews of the World War II era, offering public tours and educational programs about United States naval history.

See also

* List of museum ships * Boston Navy Yard * Fletcher-class destroyer * Pacific War * Museum ships in Massachusetts

Category:Fletcher-class destroyers Category:Museum ships in Massachusetts Category:World War II destroyers of the United States Category:Ships built in California