USS Tingey (DD-539)

• Namesake: USS Tingey (DD-539) was named after Commodore Thomas Tingey, a distinguished early officer in the United States Navy and the first commandant of the Washington Navy Yard. • Class and Commission: Tingey was a Fletcher-class destroyer, commissioned on 25 November 1943, a class renowned for its versatility and effectiveness during World War II. • World War II Service: USS Tingey earned five battle stars for her service during World War II, participating in major Pacific operations including the Marianas, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa campaigns. • Surviving the "Great Typhoon": Tingey survived the infamous Typhoon Cobra (Halsey's Typhoon) in December 1944, a storm that sank three destroyers and damaged many other ships in the Third Fleet. • Kamikaze Defense: During the Okinawa campaign, Tingey was frequently attacked by Japanese kamikaze aircraft, but thanks to her crew's alertness and gunnery, she avoided serious damage. • Flagship Role: Tingey served as the flagship of Destroyer Division 112, leading her division in various operations, including anti-submarine and anti-aircraft warfare. • Rescue Missions: The crew of the Tingey rescued downed American aviators and survivors of stricken ships on multiple occasions, showcasing bravery and seamanship under fire. • Postwar Service: After World War II, Tingey participated in Operation Magic Carpet, helping to bring American servicemen back home from the Pacific. • Decommissioning: Tingey was decommissioned in 1947 and placed in reserve, but she was never recommissioned for active duty in subsequent conflicts like Korea or Vietnam. • Legacy: The ship's bell and other artifacts are preserved as memorials, and she remains a symbol of the valiant destroyer crews who served in the Pacific during World War II.