Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945

DD-469 USS De Haven

Fletcher Class Destroyer:
Displacement: 2,700 tons
Length: 376'6"
Beam: 39'4"
Draft: 17'9"
Speed: 35 knots
Armament: 5 5"/38 DP, 4x2 40mm, 10 20mm, 2 depth charge tracks + 2 extensions, 6 depth charge projectors, 2x5 21" torpedo tubes
Complement: 329
High-pressure super-heated boilers, geared turbines with twin screws, 60,000 h.p.
Built at Bath Iron Works, and commissioned 21 September 1942

DeHaven served as part of the "Cactus Striking Force" based at Purvis Bay near Tulagi, bombarding Japanese positions on Guadalcanal and New Georgia. On 1 Feb 43, the "Cactus Striking Force" escorted 2d Battalion 132d Infantry to Verahue on the northwest coast of Guadalcanal -- the same night the Japanese began their evacuation. Reacting to the threat, 14 "Vals" (JNAF dive-bombers) attacked the force on its return from Verahue.

DeHaven was struck by three bombs and one near miss, sinking within 2 minutes with 167 of her crew.

Additional Links:

"Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships" -- USS De Haven
USS De Haven Home Page
For additional photos, see the Main Page.
For crew lists, and reunions see the Veterans Info Page.
For ship's logs and personnel records, see the Reference Page.

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Last updated: January 14, 2001

Compiled and formatted by Patrick Clancey
(see the Main Page for sources and methodology)