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USS Dallas (DD-199)
Encyclopedia
USS Dallas (DD-199) was a Clemson-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during World War II
. She was the second ship named for Captain
Alexander J. Dallas
, and was later renamed Alexander Dallas.
Dallas was launched 31 May 1919 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company
; sponsored by Miss W. D. Strong, great granddaughter of Captain Dallas; and commissioned 29 October 1920, Lieutenant
E. H. Roach in temporary command. Lieutenant A. R. Early assumed command 10 November 1920.
. She arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12 April 1922 and was decommissioned there 26 June. Recommissioned on 14 April 1925, Dallas served with various destroyer squadrons, acting as flagship
for Squadrons 9, 7, and 1. Until 1931, she cruised on the east coast and in the Caribbean, engaging in gunnery exercises, battle torpedo practice, fleet maneuvers and problems; participating in joint Army
-Navy exercises; training members of the Naval Reserve
; and serving as experimental ship at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island
.
On 9 January 1932, Dallas sailed from Charleston, for the west coast, arriving at San Diego, California
, 21 March. She operated along the west coast and in the Hawaiian Islands
, conducting force practice and tactical exercises and participating in combined fleet exercises.
Dallas sailed from San Diego 9 April 1934 for the Presidential Review of the Fleet in June 1934 at New York City
, and tactical exercises on the east coast and in the Caribbean
. Returning to San Diego 9 November, Dallas continued to operate in the Pacific until 1938, cruising to Hawaii
and Alaska
.
Dallas operated in the Panama Canal Zone
area between May and November 1938, visiting ports of the Republic of Panama
; rendering service to Submarine Squadron 3; and making a good-will call at Buenaventura, Colombia
. On 17 November she weighed anchor for the east coast, arriving at Philadelphia 6 days later. She was again placed out of commission 23 March 1939.
With the outbreak of World War II in Europe, Dallas was recommissioned 25 September 1939 and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, serving as flagship for Destroyer Squadrons 41 and 30. She patrolled the Atlantic coast and conducted training exercises until 7 July 1941 when she got underway for NS Argentia
, Newfoundland
, arriving 4 days later. Between 11 July 1941 and 10 March 1942 she patrolled between Argentia and Halifax, Nova Scotia
and escorted convoys to Reykjavík
, Iceland
, and Derry
, Northern Ireland
.
From 1 April 1942 to 3 October, Dallas escorted coastal shipping from New York and Norfolk, Virginia
to Florida
, Texas
, Cuba
, Bermuda
, and ports in the Caribbean. On 25 October she cleared Norfolk to rendezvous with TP 34 bound for the invasion landings
on North Africa
. Dallas was to carry a U.S. Army Raider battalion, and land them up the narrow, shallow, obstructed river to take a strategic airport near Port Lyautey, French Morocco
. On 10 November, she began her run up the Sebou River
under the guidance of Rene Malavergne, a civilian pilot (who would later be the first foreign civilian to receive the Navy Cross
). Under cannon and small arms fire throughout, she plowed her way through mud and shallow water, narrowly missing the many sunken ships and other obstructions, and sliced through a cable crossing the river, to land her troops safely just off the airport. Her outstanding success in completing this mission with its many unexpected complications won her the Presidential Unit Citation. On 15 November, she departed the African coast for Boston, Massachusetts, arriving 26 November.
Dallas had convoy duty between Norfolk, New York and New London, Connecticut
making one voyage to Gibraltar
from 3 March to 14 April 1943, until 9 May when she departed Norfolk for Oran, Algeria, arriving 23 May. She patrolled off the North African coast, then on 9 July joined TF 81 for screening duty during the invasion of Scoglitti
, Sicily
, from 10 to 12 July. She returned to convoy and patrol duties until 7 September when she joined the escort for a convoy bound for the invasion of the Italian
mainland. Dallas screened the transport group during the landings at Salerno
9 September, and joined a south-bound convoy 2 days later, rescuing two downed British airmen on her way to Oran. She escorted reinforcements to Salerno, then served on escort and patrol in the Mediterranean until 11 December when she got underway for the east coast, arriving at Philadelphia on Christmas Eve.
Following a thorough overhaul at Charleston, Dallas escorted two convoys to North Africa between 23 February and 9 June 1944. On the second voyage, the escorts came under attack by enemy torpedo planes on 11 May, but successfully defended the convoy; Dallas shot down at least one plane, and damaged others. She served on the east coast on various training and convoy assignments until 7 June 1945, when she reported to Philadelphia. Her name was changed to Alexander Dallas 31 March to avoid confusion with cruiser
, then under construction. Alexander Dallas was decommissioned 28 July 1945 and sold for scrap 30 November 1945.
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She was the second ship named for Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
Alexander J. Dallas
Alexander J. Dallas (U.S. Navy officer)
Alexander James Dallas was an officer in the United States Navy....
, and was later renamed Alexander Dallas.
Dallas was launched 31 May 1919 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company
Northrop Grumman Newport News
Newport News Shipbuilding , originally Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company , was the largest privately-owned shipyard in the United States prior to being purchased by Northrop Grumman in 2001...
; sponsored by Miss W. D. Strong, great granddaughter of Captain Dallas; and commissioned 29 October 1920, Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
E. H. Roach in temporary command. Lieutenant A. R. Early assumed command 10 November 1920.
Service history
Dallas cruised on the east coast, participating in exercises and maneuvers from her base at Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. She arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
12 April 1922 and was decommissioned there 26 June. Recommissioned on 14 April 1925, Dallas served with various destroyer squadrons, acting as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
for Squadrons 9, 7, and 1. Until 1931, she cruised on the east coast and in the Caribbean, engaging in gunnery exercises, battle torpedo practice, fleet maneuvers and problems; participating in joint Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
-Navy exercises; training members of the Naval Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
; and serving as experimental ship at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
.
On 9 January 1932, Dallas sailed from Charleston, for the west coast, arriving at San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, 21 March. She operated along the west coast and in the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, conducting force practice and tactical exercises and participating in combined fleet exercises.
Dallas sailed from San Diego 9 April 1934 for the Presidential Review of the Fleet in June 1934 at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and tactical exercises on the east coast and in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. Returning to San Diego 9 November, Dallas continued to operate in the Pacific until 1938, cruising to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
Dallas operated in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
area between May and November 1938, visiting ports of the Republic of Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
; rendering service to Submarine Squadron 3; and making a good-will call at Buenaventura, Colombia
Buenaventura, Colombia
Buenaventura is a port city and municipality located in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia . Buenaventura is the main port of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean....
. On 17 November she weighed anchor for the east coast, arriving at Philadelphia 6 days later. She was again placed out of commission 23 March 1939.
With the outbreak of World War II in Europe, Dallas was recommissioned 25 September 1939 and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, serving as flagship for Destroyer Squadrons 41 and 30. She patrolled the Atlantic coast and conducted training exercises until 7 July 1941 when she got underway for NS Argentia
Naval Station Argentia
Naval Station Argentia is a former base of the United States Navy that operated from 1941-1994. It was established in the community of Argentia in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland, which later became the tenth Canadian province .-Construction:Established under the British-U.S...
, Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
, arriving 4 days later. Between 11 July 1941 and 10 March 1942 she patrolled between Argentia and Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
and escorted convoys to Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, and Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
From 1 April 1942 to 3 October, Dallas escorted coastal shipping from New York and Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, and ports in the Caribbean. On 25 October she cleared Norfolk to rendezvous with TP 34 bound for the invasion landings
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
on North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. Dallas was to carry a U.S. Army Raider battalion, and land them up the narrow, shallow, obstructed river to take a strategic airport near Port Lyautey, French Morocco
French Morocco
French Protectorate of Morocco was a French protectorate in Morocco, established by the Treaty of Fez. French Morocco did not include the north of the country, which was a Spanish protectorate...
. On 10 November, she began her run up the Sebou River
Sebou River
Sebou is a river in northern Morocco. The river is 458 kilometres long and has an average water flow of 137 m3/s, which makes it the largest North African river by volume. The source is in the Middle Atlas mountains. It passes near the city of Fes and discharges to the Atlantic Ocean in Mehdia...
under the guidance of Rene Malavergne, a civilian pilot (who would later be the first foreign civilian to receive the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
). Under cannon and small arms fire throughout, she plowed her way through mud and shallow water, narrowly missing the many sunken ships and other obstructions, and sliced through a cable crossing the river, to land her troops safely just off the airport. Her outstanding success in completing this mission with its many unexpected complications won her the Presidential Unit Citation. On 15 November, she departed the African coast for Boston, Massachusetts, arriving 26 November.
Dallas had convoy duty between Norfolk, New York and New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
making one voyage to Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
from 3 March to 14 April 1943, until 9 May when she departed Norfolk for Oran, Algeria, arriving 23 May. She patrolled off the North African coast, then on 9 July joined TF 81 for screening duty during the invasion of Scoglitti
Scoglitti
Scoglitti is a small fishing village near the town of Vittoria on the south coast of Sicily.In addition to its fishing industry, the village derives a substantial part of its income from tourism...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, from 10 to 12 July. She returned to convoy and patrol duties until 7 September when she joined the escort for a convoy bound for the invasion of the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
mainland. Dallas screened the transport group during the landings at Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
9 September, and joined a south-bound convoy 2 days later, rescuing two downed British airmen on her way to Oran. She escorted reinforcements to Salerno, then served on escort and patrol in the Mediterranean until 11 December when she got underway for the east coast, arriving at Philadelphia on Christmas Eve.
Following a thorough overhaul at Charleston, Dallas escorted two convoys to North Africa between 23 February and 9 June 1944. On the second voyage, the escorts came under attack by enemy torpedo planes on 11 May, but successfully defended the convoy; Dallas shot down at least one plane, and damaged others. She served on the east coast on various training and convoy assignments until 7 June 1945, when she reported to Philadelphia. Her name was changed to Alexander Dallas 31 March to avoid confusion with cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
, then under construction. Alexander Dallas was decommissioned 28 July 1945 and sold for scrap 30 November 1945.
Convoys escorted
| Convoy | Escort Group | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HX 150 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
17-25 Sept 1941 | from Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland... to Iceland Iceland Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population... prior to US declaration of war |
|
| ON 22 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
7-15 Oct 1941 | from Iceland to Newfoundland prior to US declaration of war | |
| HX 157 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
30 Oct-8 Nov 1941 | from Newfoundland to Iceland prior to US declaration of war | |
| ON 35 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
15-27 Nov 1941 | from Iceland to Newfoundland prior to US declaration of war | |
| HX 164 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
10-19 Dec 1941 | from Newfoundland to Iceland | |
| ON 49 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
27 Dec 1941-5 Jan 1942 | from Iceland to Newfoundland | |
| HX 171 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom... |
22-30 Jan 1942 | from Newfoundland to Iceland | |
| ON 63 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:... |
7-13 Feb 1942 | from Iceland to Newfoundland |