USS Jenkins (DD-447)

• Namesake Hero: USS Jenkins (DD-447) was named after Rear Admiral Thornton A. Jenkins, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served during the Mexican–American War and the Civil War. • Fletcher-class Destroyer: Jenkins was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most famous and numerous classes of destroyers built by the U.S. during World War II. • WWII Service: Commissioned on July 31, 1942, Jenkins served extensively in the Pacific Theater, earning a total of seven battle stars for her wartime service. • Guadalcanal Operations: The ship supported operations at Guadalcanal, including screening transports and providing antisubmarine patrols during the critical campaign. • Battle of Kula Gulf: Jenkins participated in the Battle of Kula Gulf in July 1943, where she helped rescue survivors from the USS Helena after it was sunk by Japanese torpedoes. • Survived a Near Miss: During air attacks in the Solomons, Jenkins narrowly avoided damage multiple times, including during intense Japanese air raids where nearby ships were hit. • Kamikaze Threats: In 1945, Jenkins operated off Okinawa, facing repeated kamikaze attacks while on radar picket duty, a highly dangerous assignment for destroyers. • Post-War Activities: After the war, Jenkins was involved in occupation duties in the Far East and helped with the repatriation of prisoners of war. • Korean War Service: Recommissioned in 1951, Jenkins served during the Korean War, providing gunfire support, patrol, and escort duties. • Final Fate: Jenkins was decommissioned in 1969 and eventually sunk as a target off the coast of California in 1971, ending her long and distinguished naval career.