USS Kenneth M Willett (DE-354)

• Namesake Hero: USS Kenneth M. Willett (DE-354) was named after Lieutenant (junior grade) Kenneth Martin Willett, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during World War II when he was killed in action aboard the USS Liscome Bay. • Class and Type: She was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort, built for anti-submarine warfare and convoy protection during World War II. • Commissioning Date: The ship was commissioned on 19 August 1944 at Orange, Texas, with Lieutenant Commander M. L. McCallum in command. • Pacific Service: USS Kenneth M. Willett served in the Pacific Ocean, escorting convoys between the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Admiralty Islands during the crucial final months of World War II. • Japanese Surrender: She was present in Manila Bay on 2 September 1945, the day the Japanese formally surrendered, marking the end of World War II. • Postwar Occupation Duty: After the war, Kenneth M. Willett helped support occupation forces in the Far East, including service in China, Korea, and the Philippines. • Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida, on 24 June 1946 and placed in reserve. • Korean War Reactivation: With the outbreak of the Korean War, Kenneth M. Willett was recommissioned on 27 February 1951, serving for several years in training and patrol duties along the U.S. Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. • Final Fate: She was finally decommissioned on 21 February 1958 and struck from the Navy list on 1 July 1972, later sold for scrap. • Battle Stars: For her World War II service, the USS Kenneth M. Willett received one battle star, recognizing her contributions to Allied victory.