About this Unit
USS McGinty (DE-365) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. During World War II, she served primarily in the Pacific Theater, performing convoy escort, anti-submarine, and patrol duties, notably supporting operations in the Philippines and Okinawa. After the war, McGinty was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War, continuing her escort and patrol roles. She remained active during the Cold War era, participating in various training and support missions before her final decommissioning in 1969.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake: USS McGinty (DE-365) was named in honor of Seaman First Class Frank Thomas McGinty, who was killed in action during the Battle of Savo Island in World War II and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
•
Class: She was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort, a class known for their anti-submarine and convoy escort capabilities during World War II.
•
World War II Service: Commissioned in October 1944, McGinty served in the Pacific theater, escorting convoys, performing patrol duties, and supporting operations in the Philippines and Okinawa.
•
Kamikaze Threats: While operating off Okinawa, the ship frequently faced kamikaze attacks, a major threat to American naval vessels during the latter stages of World War II.
•
Typhoon of 1945: In June 1945, the USS McGinty survived a dangerous Pacific typhoon, demonstrating the durability and seamanship of her crew amid towering waves and high winds.
•
Post-War Operations: After the Japanese surrender, McGinty participated in occupation duties and the repatriation of Allied prisoners of war from Japan.
•
Korean War Reactivation: The ship was decommissioned in 1946 but recommissioned in 1951 for service during the Korean War, where she performed patrol, escort, and training duties.
•
Far East Deployments: During the 1950s, McGinty conducted several deployments to the Western Pacific, supporting United Nations operations and exercises with allied navies.
•
Project Mercury Support: In the early 1960s, McGinty served as a recovery ship for the Project Mercury manned space flights, standing by to recover astronauts and capsules from the Pacific Ocean.
•
Final Disposition: The ship was decommissioned in 1969 and struck from the Navy List. In 1972, she was sunk as a target during naval exercises, ending her nearly 30-year naval career.
