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USS Henry A. Wiley (DM-29)
Encyclopedia
USS Henry A. Wiley (DD-749/DM-29/MMD-29) was a Robert H. Smith-class
destroyer minelayer in the United States Navy
. She was named for Admiral Henry A. Wiley
.
Henry A. Wiley was launched 21 April 1944 as DD-749 by Bethlehem Steel Company, Staten Island, New York; sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth W. Robb, daughter of Admiral Henry A. Wiley; reclassified DM-29 20 July 1944 and commissioned 31 August 1944, Commander Robert Emmett Gadrow in command.
After shakedown in the Caribbean Sea
, the new minelayer rendezvoused with the battleship
s , , and and sailed 8 November for the Pacific to earn her nickname "Hammering Hank." Henry A. Wiley reached Pearl Harbor
9 December to prepare for the impending Iwo Jima campaign
. As escort to the battleship , she rendezvoused with other ships of the Gunfire and Covering Force off the rocky Japan
ese island on 16 February 1945, 3 days before the initial landings. She remained there until 9 March, to provide fire support and screen ships often operating a mere 400 yards from Mount Suribachi. The minelayer poured some 3,600 rounds into the Japanese fortress.
A second and even more arduous campaign followed for Henry A. Wiley—Okinawa
, the largest amphibious operation of the Pacific war. Reaching her position 23 March, D-day minus eight, she began to screen minesweepers as they cleared channels for transports and support ships. Japanese resistance was fierce and air attacks were almost unceasing. On 28 March, Henry A. Wiley downed two kamikaze
planes, and the next morning in 15 hectic minutes saw a bomb explode 50 yards astern, downed two more kamikazes, and rescued a downed fighter pilot. While screening transports on 1 April, D-day at Okinawa, Henry A. Wiley destroyed her fifth kamikaze.
The battle-tried ship then shifted to radar picket duty and spent a total of 34 days on this important task, alerting other ships of enemy air attacks. During this period, Henry A. Wiley took 64 Japanese aircraft under fire, destroying several of them. The morning of 4 May proved especially eventful. She began by downing a Betty
at 0307. When her sister ship, , was reported sinking, Henry A. Wiley proceeded to her aid, but came under heavy air attack. In less than a quarter hour of heavy fighting, the valiant ship splashed three kamikazes and two Baka
bombers, one of which was closing from the starboard quarter when it was hit by Henry A. Wiley's accurate fire. It hit the water, bounced over the fantail, and exploded just off the port quarter. Having expended nearly 5,000 rounds of 5-inch and AA ammunition, the minelayer then proceeded to rescue survivors from Luce. For her intrepid actions off Okinawa, which resulted in the destruction of 15 Japanese planes, Henry A. Wiley received the Presidential Unit Citation, and her skipper the Navy Cross
and Legion of Merit
.
From Okinawa, Henry A. Wiley sailed for the East China Sea
, entering 12 June to screen minesweepers attempting to clear that vast body of water. She remained on this duty, with brief respites at Buckner Bay, until peace came. Even this duty was ushered in to the sound of "Hammering Hank's" guns, as on the night of 14 August, 24 hours before final orders to cease offensive operations against the Japanese were received, she went to General Quarters 6 times at the approach of aircraft, finally opening fire on the 6th run as an attack run commenced. Henry A. Wiley remained in the Pacific to screen and guide minesweepers through the end of 1945. She streamed her homeward bound pennant 17 January 1946 and on 7 February reached San Francisco, California
via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor. Henry A. Wiley decommissioned at San Francisco 29 January 1947 and went into reserve at San Diego, California
. Henry A. Wiley was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
on 15 October 1970 and sold for scrapping on 30 May 1972.
In addition to the Presidential Unit Commendation, Henry A. Wiley received four battle stars for her participation in World War II.
As of 2009, no other ship has been named Henry A. Wiley.
Robert H. Smith class destroyer
The Robert H. Smith class of destroyer minelayers was built by the United States during World War II.These vessels were all originally laid down as Allen M. Sumner class destroyers and converted during construction throughout 1944. In that time the United States produced 12 Robert H. Smith class...
destroyer minelayer 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...
. She was named for Admiral Henry A. Wiley
Henry A. Wiley
Admiral Henry Aristo Wiley was an officer in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II.-Biography:...
.
Henry A. Wiley was launched 21 April 1944 as DD-749 by Bethlehem Steel Company, Staten Island, New York; sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth W. Robb, daughter of Admiral Henry A. Wiley; reclassified DM-29 20 July 1944 and commissioned 31 August 1944, Commander Robert Emmett Gadrow in command.
After shakedown in the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
, the new minelayer rendezvoused with the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
s , , and and sailed 8 November for the Pacific to earn her nickname "Hammering Hank." Henry A. Wiley reached Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
9 December to prepare for the impending Iwo Jima campaign
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
. As escort to the battleship , she rendezvoused with other ships of the Gunfire and Covering Force off the rocky Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese island on 16 February 1945, 3 days before the initial landings. She remained there until 9 March, to provide fire support and screen ships often operating a mere 400 yards from Mount Suribachi. The minelayer poured some 3,600 rounds into the Japanese fortress.
A second and even more arduous campaign followed for Henry A. Wiley—Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, the largest amphibious operation of the Pacific war. Reaching her position 23 March, D-day minus eight, she began to screen minesweepers as they cleared channels for transports and support ships. Japanese resistance was fierce and air attacks were almost unceasing. On 28 March, Henry A. Wiley downed two kamikaze
Kamikaze
The were suicide attacks by military aviators from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, designed to destroy as many warships as possible....
planes, and the next morning in 15 hectic minutes saw a bomb explode 50 yards astern, downed two more kamikazes, and rescued a downed fighter pilot. While screening transports on 1 April, D-day at Okinawa, Henry A. Wiley destroyed her fifth kamikaze.
The battle-tried ship then shifted to radar picket duty and spent a total of 34 days on this important task, alerting other ships of enemy air attacks. During this period, Henry A. Wiley took 64 Japanese aircraft under fire, destroying several of them. The morning of 4 May proved especially eventful. She began by downing a Betty
Mitsubishi G4M
The Mitsubishi G4M 一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Isshiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikkō was the main twin-engine, land-based bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allies gave the G4M the reporting name Betty...
at 0307. When her sister ship, , was reported sinking, Henry A. Wiley proceeded to her aid, but came under heavy air attack. In less than a quarter hour of heavy fighting, the valiant ship splashed three kamikazes and two Baka
Ohka
The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka was a purpose-built, rocket powered human-guided anti-shipping kamikaze attack plane employed by Japan towards the end of World War II...
bombers, one of which was closing from the starboard quarter when it was hit by Henry A. Wiley's accurate fire. It hit the water, bounced over the fantail, and exploded just off the port quarter. Having expended nearly 5,000 rounds of 5-inch and AA ammunition, the minelayer then proceeded to rescue survivors from Luce. For her intrepid actions off Okinawa, which resulted in the destruction of 15 Japanese planes, Henry A. Wiley received the Presidential Unit Citation, and her skipper 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...
and Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
.
From Okinawa, Henry A. Wiley sailed for the East China Sea
East China Sea
The East China Sea is a marginal sea east of China. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 1,249,000 km² or 750,000 square miles.-Geography:...
, entering 12 June to screen minesweepers attempting to clear that vast body of water. She remained on this duty, with brief respites at Buckner Bay, until peace came. Even this duty was ushered in to the sound of "Hammering Hank's" guns, as on the night of 14 August, 24 hours before final orders to cease offensive operations against the Japanese were received, she went to General Quarters 6 times at the approach of aircraft, finally opening fire on the 6th run as an attack run commenced. Henry A. Wiley remained in the Pacific to screen and guide minesweepers through the end of 1945. She streamed her homeward bound pennant 17 January 1946 and on 7 February reached San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor. Henry A. Wiley decommissioned at San Francisco 29 January 1947 and went into reserve 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...
. Henry A. Wiley was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 15 October 1970 and sold for scrapping on 30 May 1972.
In addition to the Presidential Unit Commendation, Henry A. Wiley received four battle stars for her participation in World War II.
As of 2009, no other ship has been named Henry A. Wiley.
External links
- Photo gallery at Navsource.org