VetFriends Members: 3,064,780

 
JOIN NOW

History of USS Collett (DD-730)

USS Collett (DD-730) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She saw significant action in the Pacific Theater during World War II, providing fire support at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and surviving a kamikaze attack. After the war, Collett served during the Korean War, conducting shore bombardments and screening aircraft carriers. The destroyer was later transferred to the Argentine Navy in 1974, where she was renamed ARA Piedrabuena (D-29) and served until 1988.

Members

Load More

Gallery

More Unit Photos

ABOUT USS Collett (DD-730)

  • Namesake: USS Collett (DD-730) was named after Lieutenant Commander John A. Collett, a naval aviator killed in action during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in 1942.
  • Class and Launch: USS Collett was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, launched on 5 March 1944 by Bath Iron Works in Maine.
  • World War II Service: Collett served in the Pacific Theater, participating in major operations such as the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the invasion of Okinawa.
  • Kamikaze Attack: On 9 April 1945, during the Okinawa campaign, Collett was hit by a kamikaze plane, causing casualties and damage but remained operational.
  • Korean War: Collett was recommissioned for the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers during the conflict.
  • Operation Crossroads: In 1946, Collett participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, serving as a support and observation vessel.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: In October 1962, Collett was deployed as part of the naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis, enforcing the blockade.
  • Vietnam War Service: Collett supported operations off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support for ground troops and carrier escort duties.
  • Collision Incident: On 19 August 1966, USS Collett collided with the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CV-34) in the South China Sea, resulting in significant damage but no fatalities.
  • Transfer to Argentina: After being decommissioned from the US Navy in 1970, Collett was sold to Argentina where she served as ARA Piedra Buena (D-29) until 1988.

Navy Best Sellers

Go To Store