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USS Fanning (DD-385)
Encyclopedia
USS Fanning (DD-385), a Mahan-class
destroyer
, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy
to be named for Nathaniel Fanning
. She first saw action during World War II
immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor
. She continued to serve in the Pacific Theatre
throughout the war, and was decommissioned
soon thereafter. The USS Fanning was one of the last Mahan-class destroyers. It as well as the USS Dunlap
were modified slightly and are sometimes referred to as the Dunlap-class.
; sponsored by Miss Cora A. Marsh, great-great granddaughter of Lieutenant Fanning; and commissioned 8 October 1937, Lieutenant Commander
E. H. Geiselman, in command.
Trials, fitting out, shakedown, and minor repairs occupied Fanning until 22 April 1938 when she joined Philadelphia (CL-41)
at Annapolis, Maryland
, to escort the cruiser
as she carried Franklin D. Roosevelt
, President of the United States
on a Caribbean
cruise. After returning to New York on 11 May, she underwent overhaul, escorted MS Kungsholm with Gustaf VI Adolf
, the Crown Prince of Sweden
, embarked, then sailed for the west coast to join the Battle Force in September. Based in San Diego, California
the destroyer conducted antiaircraft gunnery, antisubmarine, and tactical exercises. In the next 3 years, Fanning's schedule took her back to the Atlantic once and to Hawaii
several times, all the while enhancing her battle readiness.
on 7 December 1941 found Fanning at sea with TF 8 returning to Pearl Harbor from Wake Island
where Enterprise (CV-6)
had delivered the squadron of Marine Corps
fighter planes which became Wake's only airborne defense. The force made a search, refueled at Pearl Harbor on 8 December, and the following day sortied to hunt submarines. They made several contacts. Aircraft from Enterprise sank Japanese submarine I-170 on 10 December in 23°45′N 155°35′W. Fanning sailed from Pearl Harbor with TF 8 on 19 December to relieve Wake Island
, however, the island fell before help could arrive, and the reinforcements were delivered to Midway
.
, she encountered a blinding rainstorm during which she collided with Gridley (DD-380)
, badly damaging both ships. After emergency repairs at Pago Pago she returned to Pearl Harbor where her bow was restored.
_and_uss_enterprise_(cv-6).jpg)
She was part of TF 16 which sailed on 8 April 1942 to rendezvous with TF 18. This combined force, commanded by Vice Admiral
William F. Halsey, Jr., and carrying the Doolittle raiders
, was charged with launching the first American offensive against the Japanese homeland. Returning safely to Pearl Harbor on 25 April after the successful mission, she escorted an Army
tug to Canton Island and returned to San Francisco for needed repairs.
The destroyer made two voyages along the west coast and escorted three convoys to Pearl Harbor before 12 November when she joined TF 11 for duty in the Solomon Islands
. The rest of the year was spent in convoy and patrol among the islands.
. From 20 to 25 February she assisted TF 64 in supporting an occupation force on the Russell Islands
, participated in exercises and patrol, and steamed with TG 36.3 to afford protection to troops occupying Munda Island.
In September she escorted a transport convoy from Noumea
to Guadalcanal. Late in the month she got underway with Case (DD-370)
, McCall (DD-400)
, and Craven (DD-382)
for San Francisco and a period of overhaul. She completed the year in patrol and in training and exercise operations off the Aleutian Islands.
struck at Wotje, Taroa
, Utirik, and Rongelap with a 4-day uninterrupted bombardment of Eniwetok which precursed a later all-out attack. For the remainder of the month Fanning and other units of the escort group shuttled between Kwajalein
and Eniwetok, making 25 strikes in 19 days, and providing support for the amphibious landings on the latter island.
In March 1944 Fanning, Saratoga, Dunlap (DD-384)
, and Cummings (DD-365)
were ordered to report to the British Eastern Fleet, primarily British
units reinforced with Australia
n, Dutch
and French
warships. The planned joint operations were intended to transfer operational expertise to the Fleet Air Arm
aircrews, divert Japanese attention from American activities elsewhere and cripple Japanese mobility in the south east Asia region. HMS Illustrious
and Saratoga launched air strikes against Sabang
, Sumatra
, (19 April) to destroy refineries, storage and transportation facilities. On 17 May this powerful force hit Soerabaja, Java, where harbor facilities and refineries presented the chief targets.
Detached from the Eastern Fleet late in May, Fanning set course for San Francisco with calls at Fremantle
and Sydney
, Australia
, and Noumea
in passage. On 17 July she stood out for San Diego with Baltimore (CA-68)
and on the 21st escorted President Roosevelt, embarked in the cruiser, north to Adak
and Kodiak, Alaska
. On 7 August the President shifted to Cummings who got underway for Bremerton in company with Fanning and Dulap.
The destroyer engaged in shore bombardment and other exercises until 17 September when she again steamed for the forward areas. After escorting SS Antigua to Eniwetok, she patrolled with TG 57.7 off Tinian
and performed escort duty with TG 30.2 for a diversionary strike against Marcus Island on 9 October.
Fanning sortied with TG 38.1 on 16 October to screen a carrier group which launched two strikes against Luzon
before moving in to support the Leyte
landings. 22 October found the group underway for refueling and replenishment at Ulithi but word of an advancing Japanese fleet caused them to reverse course and the destroyer sped to participate in the action at San Bernardino Strait.
After logistics were completed at Ulithi, Fanning moved to Saipan
to rejoin TG 30.2 for a series of assaults on Iwo Jima
, the first of these on 11–12 November. An assignment as radar picket occupied her until 4 December when she returned to bombard Iwo on the 8th. During the third attack (24 and 27 December) she set a patrol vessel on fire.
Fanning rejoined the group for the bombardment of Chichi Jima, but was soon detached to escort David W. Taylor (DD-551)
damaged by a mine, to Ulithi. She returned to the tenacious force once again off Iwo Jima on 24 January and teamed with Dunlap to sink three small cargo ships. She then assumed station as radar picket and air rescue ship, operating also in local escort duty and in training exercises with a submarine wolfpack through 22 March.
The remainder of the war was occupied with patrol and escort activities among the islands of Eniwetok, Iwo Jima, and Guam
. On 19 September 1945 Fanning set course for the United States, arriving at Galveston, Texas
, on 23 October 1945.
Fanning was decommission under the command of Commander
Earnest "Bud" Conant at Norfolk, Virginia
, on 14 December 1945 and later sold.
Fanning received four battle stars for World War II service.
Mahan class destroyer
The Mahan-class destroyers served in the United States Navy before and during World War II. The lead ship of the class was named for Alfred T. Mahan, a US Naval officer and influential theorist on sea power....
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...
, was the 2nd ship of 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...
to be named for Nathaniel Fanning
Nathaniel Fanning
Nathaniel Fanning was an officer in the Continental Navy and later the United States Navy, who served on board Bonhomme Richard during its 1779 battle with HMS Serapis....
. She first saw action 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...
immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
. She continued to serve in the Pacific Theatre
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
throughout the war, and was decommissioned
Ship decommissioning
To decommission a ship is to terminate her career in service in the armed forces of her nation. A somber occasion, it has little of the elaborate ceremony of ship commissioning, but carries significant tradition....
soon thereafter. The USS Fanning was one of the last Mahan-class destroyers. It as well as the USS Dunlap
USS Dunlap (DD-384)
USS Dunlap was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named after Brigadier General Robert H. Dunlap, USMC.-History:...
were modified slightly and are sometimes referred to as the Dunlap-class.
History
Fanning was launched 18 September 1936 by United Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corporation, New York CityNew 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...
; sponsored by Miss Cora A. Marsh, great-great granddaughter of Lieutenant Fanning; and commissioned 8 October 1937, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant commander (United States)
Lieutenant commander is a mid-ranking officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade of O-4 and NATO rank code OF-3...
E. H. Geiselman, in command.
Trials, fitting out, shakedown, and minor repairs occupied Fanning until 22 April 1938 when she joined Philadelphia (CL-41)
USS Philadelphia (CL-41)
USS Philadelphia , a Brooklyn class light cruiser of the United States Navy. She was the fifth ship named for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the 1950s, she was commissioned into the Brazilian Navy as Almirante Barroso....
at Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, to escort the 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...
as she carried Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
on a 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...
cruise. After returning to New York on 11 May, she underwent overhaul, escorted MS Kungsholm with Gustaf VI Adolf
Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden
Gustaf VI Adolf - Oscar Fredrik Wilhelm Olaf Gustaf Adolf - was King of Sweden from October 29, 1950 until his death. His official title was King of Sweden, of the Goths and of the Wends. He was the eldest son of King Gustaf V and his wife Victoria of Baden...
, the Crown Prince of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, embarked, then sailed for the west coast to join the Battle Force in September. Based in 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...
the destroyer conducted antiaircraft gunnery, antisubmarine, and tactical exercises. In the next 3 years, Fanning's schedule took her back to the Atlantic once and 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...
several times, all the while enhancing her battle readiness.
1941
The attack on Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
on 7 December 1941 found Fanning at sea with TF 8 returning to Pearl Harbor from Wake Island
Wake Island
Wake Island is a coral atoll having a coastline of in the North Pacific Ocean, located about two-thirds of the way from Honolulu west to Guam east. It is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior...
where Enterprise (CV-6)
USS Enterprise (CV-6)
USS Enterprise , colloquially referred to as the "Big E," was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Launched in 1936, she was a ship of the Yorktown class, and one of only three American carriers commissioned prior to World War II to...
had delivered the squadron of Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
fighter planes which became Wake's only airborne defense. The force made a search, refueled at Pearl Harbor on 8 December, and the following day sortied to hunt submarines. They made several contacts. Aircraft from Enterprise sank Japanese submarine I-170 on 10 December in 23°45′N 155°35′W. Fanning sailed from Pearl Harbor with TF 8 on 19 December to relieve Wake Island
Wake Island
Wake Island is a coral atoll having a coastline of in the North Pacific Ocean, located about two-thirds of the way from Honolulu west to Guam east. It is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior...
, however, the island fell before help could arrive, and the reinforcements were delivered to Midway
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
.
1942
In mid-January 1942 while underway for TutuilaTutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
, she encountered a blinding rainstorm during which she collided with Gridley (DD-380)
USS Gridley (DD-380)
The second USS Gridley was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy. She was named for Charles Vernon Gridley.-History:...
, badly damaging both ships. After emergency repairs at Pago Pago she returned to Pearl Harbor where her bow was restored.
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
William F. Halsey, Jr., and carrying the Doolittle raiders
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
, was charged with launching the first American offensive against the Japanese homeland. Returning safely to Pearl Harbor on 25 April after the successful mission, she escorted an 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...
tug to Canton Island and returned to San Francisco for needed repairs.
The destroyer made two voyages along the west coast and escorted three convoys to Pearl Harbor before 12 November when she joined TF 11 for duty in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. The rest of the year was spent in convoy and patrol among the islands.
1943
In January 1943 she deployed with TF 11 against the Japanese on GuadalcanalGuadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
. From 20 to 25 February she assisted TF 64 in supporting an occupation force on the Russell Islands
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands are two small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. They are located approximately 48 km northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at...
, participated in exercises and patrol, and steamed with TG 36.3 to afford protection to troops occupying Munda Island.
In September she escorted a transport convoy from Noumea
Nouméa
Nouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...
to Guadalcanal. Late in the month she got underway with Case (DD-370)
USS Case (DD-370)
USS Case was a in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the second ship named for Augustus Ludlow Case.Case was launched 14 September 1935 by Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts; sponsored by Miss M. R. Case; commissioned 15 September 1936, Commander J. S...
, McCall (DD-400)
USS McCall (DD-400)
The second USS McCall was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Edward R. McCall.-History:McCall was laid down 17 March 1936 at the Union Plant, Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California; launched 20 November 1937; sponsored by Miss Eleanor Kempff; and commissioned...
, and Craven (DD-382)
USS Craven (DD-382)
The third USS Craven was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Tunis Augustus Macdonough Craven.-History:Craven was launched 25 February 1937 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts; sponsored by Mrs. F. Learned, daughter of Commander Craven; and commissioned 2...
for San Francisco and a period of overhaul. She completed the year in patrol and in training and exercise operations off the Aleutian Islands.
1944
On 19 January 1944 Fanning sailed with TG-58.4 for operations in the Marshalls where planes from Saratoga (CV-3)USS Saratoga (CV-3)
USS Saratoga was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the fifth ship to bear her name. She was commissioned one month earlier than her sister and class leader, , which is the third actually commissioned after and Saratoga...
struck at Wotje, Taroa
Taroa
Taroa, also known as Tarawa, is an island in the east of Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands. During World War II, it was the site of a major Japanese airfield...
, Utirik, and Rongelap with a 4-day uninterrupted bombardment of Eniwetok which precursed a later all-out attack. For the remainder of the month Fanning and other units of the escort group shuttled between Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
and Eniwetok, making 25 strikes in 19 days, and providing support for the amphibious landings on the latter island.
In March 1944 Fanning, Saratoga, Dunlap (DD-384)
USS Dunlap (DD-384)
USS Dunlap was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named after Brigadier General Robert H. Dunlap, USMC.-History:...
, and Cummings (DD-365)
USS Cummings (DD-365)
The second USS Cummings was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Andrew Boyd Cummings.-History:...
were ordered to report to the British Eastern Fleet, primarily British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
units reinforced with Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n, Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
warships. The planned joint operations were intended to transfer operational expertise to the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
aircrews, divert Japanese attention from American activities elsewhere and cripple Japanese mobility in the south east Asia region. HMS Illustrious
HMS Illustrious (R87)
HMS Illustrious , the fourth Illustrious of the British Royal Navy, was an aircraft carrier which saw service in World War II, the lead ship of the Illustrious-class of carriers which also included Victorious, Formidable, and Indomitable.-Construction:Illustrious was built by Vickers-Armstrongs at...
and Saratoga launched air strikes against Sabang
Sabang
Sabang is a city consisting of several islands in Aceh, Indonesia. The metropolitan area is located on Weh Island, 17 km north of Banda Aceh. The city covers an area of 118 square kilometres and according to the 2000 census had a population of 23,654 people...
, Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
, (19 April) to destroy refineries, storage and transportation facilities. On 17 May this powerful force hit Soerabaja, Java, where harbor facilities and refineries presented the chief targets.
Detached from the Eastern Fleet late in May, Fanning set course for San Francisco with calls at Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and Noumea
Nouméa
Nouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...
in passage. On 17 July she stood out for San Diego with Baltimore (CA-68)
USS Baltimore (CA-68)
The fifth USS Baltimore , the lead ship of a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, was launched 28 July 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Company, Fore River, Massachusetts, sponsored by Mrs. Howard W. Jackson, wife of the Mayor of Baltimore, commissioned 15 April 1943, Captain Walter C...
and on the 21st escorted President Roosevelt, embarked in the cruiser, north to Adak
Adak Island
Adak Island is an island near the western extent of the Andreanof Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Alaska's southernmost town, Adak, is located on the island...
and Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak is one of 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline...
. On 7 August the President shifted to Cummings who got underway for Bremerton in company with Fanning and Dulap.
The destroyer engaged in shore bombardment and other exercises until 17 September when she again steamed for the forward areas. After escorting SS Antigua to Eniwetok, she patrolled with TG 57.7 off Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
and performed escort duty with TG 30.2 for a diversionary strike against Marcus Island on 9 October.
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
before moving in to support the Leyte
Leyte Island
Leyte is an island in the Visayas group of the Philippines.The island measures about 180 km north-south and about 65 km at its widest point. In the north it nearly joins Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2 km in some places...
landings. 22 October found the group underway for refueling and replenishment at Ulithi but word of an advancing Japanese fleet caused them to reverse course and the destroyer sped to participate in the action at San Bernardino Strait.
After logistics were completed at Ulithi, Fanning moved to Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
to rejoin TG 30.2 for a series of assaults on Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
, the first of these on 11–12 November. An assignment as radar picket occupied her until 4 December when she returned to bombard Iwo on the 8th. During the third attack (24 and 27 December) she set a patrol vessel on fire.
1945
In the strike on 5 January 1945 Fanning made contact with a small freighter who tried to ram her and raked her decks before taking a torpedo which sent her to the bottom.Fanning rejoined the group for the bombardment of Chichi Jima, but was soon detached to escort David W. Taylor (DD-551)
USS David W. Taylor (DD-551)
USS David W. Taylor , a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Rear Admiral David W. Taylor ....
damaged by a mine, to Ulithi. She returned to the tenacious force once again off Iwo Jima on 24 January and teamed with Dunlap to sink three small cargo ships. She then assumed station as radar picket and air rescue ship, operating also in local escort duty and in training exercises with a submarine wolfpack through 22 March.
The remainder of the war was occupied with patrol and escort activities among the islands of Eniwetok, Iwo Jima, and Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. On 19 September 1945 Fanning set course for the United States, arriving at Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
, on 23 October 1945.
Fanning was decommission under the command of Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
Earnest "Bud" Conant at 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....
, on 14 December 1945 and later sold.
Fanning received four battle stars for World War II service.