USS Sterett (DD-407)

USS Sterett (DD-407)

USS Sterett (DD-407) was a Sims-class destroyer commissioned in 1939 that served in the Atlantic and Pacific, participating in major Pearl Harbor aftermath operations, the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Marianas Campaign, before decommissioning after World War II. Built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation and named for Andrew Sterett, she earned multiple awards for convoy escort, shore bombardment, and anti-submarine actions while operating with task forces commanded by leaders such as Frank Jack Fletcher, William F. Halsey Jr., and Chester W. Nimitz.

Design and Construction

Sterett was one of the Sims-class destroyers designed under the London Naval Treaty limitations and laid down at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation yard in Kearny, New Jersey. The hull form and engineering followed developments pioneered in the Bagley-class destroyer, Benham-class destroyer, and Fletcher-class destroyer predecessors, incorporating 50,000 shp turbines and a high-pressure boiler arrangement derived from General Electric and Westinghouse designs. Armament centered on five 5 in/38 caliber guns in single mounts, a mainstay on ships also serving on USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Lexington (CV-2), and USS Saratoga (CV-3), with torpedo tube banks similar to those on USS Benson (DD-421) and anti-aircraft batteries enhanced after lessons from Spanish Civil War and pre-war fleet exercises. Launched on 6 February 1939 and commissioned on 15 June 1939, Sterett joined the United States Atlantic Fleet before transfer to the United States Pacific Fleet as tensions rose in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

Service History

Upon commissioning Sterett conducted shakedown cruises with the United States Fleet including port calls to Norfolk, Virginia and training with destroyer divisions operating alongside carriers such as USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Hornet (CV-8). She escorted convoys between Panama Canal Zone and San Diego, California and performed screening and plane guard duties during Fleet Problem XIV and subsequent exercises with commanders who would later lead forces at Midway and Coral Sea. At entry of the United States into World War II, Sterett was assigned to Task Force 11 and took part in high-tempo operations, coordinating with cruisers like USS Indianapolis (CA-35) and battleships including USS North Carolina (BB-55) for convoy defense and patrols across the Central Pacific.

World War II Operations

Sterett arrived in the active combat zone shortly after Pearl Harbor and was engaged in early war operations including escorting carriers during raids influenced by directives from Admiral Ernest J. King and Admiral Harold R. Stark. In the Guadalcanal Campaign Sterett screened transports and provided night-time torpedo attacks and gunfire support during operations coordinated with Henderson Field defense and task groups under Frank Jack Fletcher and William Halsey Jr.. She participated in actions around the Solomon Islands and engaged enemy aircraft during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands while operating with USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8), conducting anti-aircraft defense alongside destroyers such as USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) and USS Gwin (DD-433). In the Central Pacific campaigns Sterett escorted invasion convoys to the Gilbert Islands and Marshall Islands and later supported the Marianas Campaign, providing shore bombardment during Saipan operations and screening escort carriers like USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) and USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) for close air support. Anti-submarine patrols found Sterett coordinating with Submarine Force Atlantic doctrine and engaging suspected contacts with depth charges while operating in concert with cruisers such as USS Helena (CL-50) and USS Santa Fe (CL-60). Her wartime operations also involved logistic runs to Ulithi Atoll and escorting replenishment groups servicing Third Fleet and Fifth Fleet carriers during strikes on Philippines and Formosa targets.

Postwar Fate

After Japan's surrender following Surrender of Japan and Tokyo Bay formalities, Sterett assisted in occupation duties and repatriation movements connecting Leyte Gulf and Okinawa with Pearl Harbor and continental ports. Decommissioned on 14 June 1946, she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrapping amid postwar drawdowns affecting many contemporaries including USS Hammann (DD-412) and USS Sims (DD-409). Portions of her structure and equipment were salvaged under contracts managed by Maritime Commission disposal procedures before final dismantling.

Awards and Honors

For her wartime service Sterett received multiple awards including battle stars corresponding to campaigns such as the Guadalcanal Campaign, Aleutian Islands Campaign-adjacent patrols, and the Marianas Campaign, recognized by the Navy Unit Commendation procedures and campaign medals issued by the Department of the Navy. Crew members were eligible for individual decorations including the Purple Heart in cases of combat casualties, the Bronze Star Medal for valor in specific actions, and other campaign ribbons administered according to Naval Personnel Command criteria.

Category:United States Navy destroyers Category:Ships built in Kearny, New Jersey Category:Sims-class destroyers