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History of uss harveson der316

USS Harveson (DE-316) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in February 1943 and commissioned in September 1943, she was named in honor of Ensign William Harveson, who was killed in action during the Battle of Midway. Throughout her service, Harveson performed vital convoy escort duties across the Atlantic, protecting Allied shipping from German U-boats, and later participated in patrol and training operations in the Pacific. After the war, the ship was decommissioned in 1946 and ultimately scrapped in 1974.

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ABOUT uss harveson der316

  • Namesake: USS Harveson (DE-316) was named in honor of Lieutenant (junior grade) Dixie Kiefer Harveson, who was killed in action during the Battle of Savo Island in 1942.
  • Class and Type: Harveson was an Edsall-class destroyer escort, designed for anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, and protection duties during World War II.
  • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 22 February 1944, at Orange, Texas, after being launched on 9 December 1943.
  • Atlantic Service: USS Harveson served mainly in the Atlantic Ocean, escorting convoys between the United States and Europe, providing crucial protection from German U-boats.
  • Convoy Escort: She completed eleven transatlantic convoy escort missions between April 1944 and May 1945, helping to safeguard vital supplies and personnel.
  • U-boat Defense: On several occasions, Harveson engaged in anti-submarine actions, using sonar and depth charges to deter or attack suspected enemy submarines.
  • Pacific Deployment: After Germany’s surrender, Harveson was transferred to the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor in July 1945, but the war ended before she saw combat in this theater.
  • Post-War Service: The ship assisted in the occupation of Japan and repatriation of Allied prisoners of war before returning to the U.S. and being decommissioned in June 1946.
  • Awards: For her service in World War II, USS Harveson received one battle star, recognizing her valuable contributions to the Allied victory.
  • Legacy: After decommissioning, Harveson remained in the reserve fleet until she was struck from the Navy list in 1972 and sold for scrap in 1974, marking the end of her distinguished service.

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