The " U.S.S. Lansdale ( DD-426 ) " was a Benson-class destroyer built in the Boston Navy Yard and commissioned on September 17, 1940. She was named after " Lt. Philip Van Horne Lansdale ", who had three ships named in his honor: " U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-101) ", " U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) ", and " U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-766) ".
The " Lansdale " departed Oran on April 18, 1944 and joined convoy UGS 38 bound from Norfolk to Bizerte. Soon after twilight convoy UGS 38 was attacked by German planes that were flying close to shore and low over the water in an attempt to evaded radar detection which they did until they were almost upon the convoy.
The first wave of about nine Junkers Ju 88s attacked from dead ahead. Their torpedoes damaged the S.S. Samite and detonated high explosives aboard the " S.S. Paul Hamilton " ~ ( click for webpage ) blowing her out of the water and killing all " 580 " men on board who are " ALL " noted on the Hamilton's webpage !
The second wave of about seven Junkers hit the starboard flank of the convoy and damaged two more merchant ships. One of them, the " S.S. Royal Star ", was sunk however only 1 crew member was lost. And the third, consisting of about five Heinkel He 111s, bore down on the convoy's port bow, " Lansdale's " station.
Silhouetted by the explosion of the " S.S. Paul Hamilton " the " Lansdale " was attacked from both port and starboard by planes from two, and possibly, three waves.
As Heinkels approached on the port bow and launched two torpedoes that missed, " Lansdale " turned to starboard to repel five Ju 88s which had veered seaward from the convoy. Her guns hit one as it passed down the starboard side; but, as it crashed well astern, another launched a torpedo 500 yards on the starboard beam before passing over the forecastle under heavy fire and going down on the port quarter.
The torpedo struck the starboard side forward, wrecking the forward fireroom and opening both sides to the sea. Almost split in two, the " Lansdale " immediately took a 12 degree list to port. Her rudder jammed 22 degrees to starboard, and she steamed at 13 knotts in a clockwise circle.
The " Lansdale " again came under attack. Two bombers launched torpedoes on the beam and broad on the bow to port but both missed the still-turning ship. Despite the increasing list, her guns downed one of the planes as it turned away from the ship.
The course of the " Lansdale " then straightened out, but the list increased steadily. Within two minutes, it reached 45 degrees despite the efforts of her crew to control the battle damage.
Her skipper, Lt. Cdr. D. M. Swift, ordered her abandoned when he feared the stricken ship might roll " completely over. " Shortly the list had increased to 80 degrees and the destroyer began to break up.
Five minutes later the " Lansdale " broke in half, and the stern section quickly sank. The forward section sank 20 minutes later as destroyer escorts " U.S.S. Menges " and " U.S.S. Newell " began rescue operations.
The two destroyer escorts swept the water from 21:55 - 03:30 hours the next morning searching for survivors.
The " U.S.S. Menges " picked up 115 men, including two German fliers who were shot down either by " Lansdale " or Newell. The " U.S.S. Newell " rescued 119 survivors, including Lt. Cdr. Swift. Forty-eight officers and men were carried down with the " U.S.S. Lansdale ( DD-426 ) ".
= Photo of person shown on online memorial
= Photo of tombstone or listing shown on online memorial
