USS Fletcher Ship Photos
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1942 - 1949

Launching on May 3, 1942 in Kearny, New Jersey at the Federal Shipbuilding yard.  Fletcher has just begun to slide down the ways.  Beside her is USS Radford DD-446 which was launched later that same day.  National Archives
Launching May 3, 1942

May 3, 1942.  Fletcher is launched.
May 3, 1942

July 18, 1942. National Archives
July 18, 1942

The day before commissioning. National Archives
June 29, 1942

The day before commissioning
June 29, 1942

National Archives May 3, 1942

National Archives
July 15, 1942

National Archives
July 15, 1942

National Archives
July 15, 1942

National Archives.  View aft from the 01 level.  The cruiser in the background is the HMS Glasgow.
July 15, 1942

National Archives
July 15, 1942

National Archives
July 15, 1942

USS Radford and  USS Jenkins following CDD42 in Fletcher.  Photo courtesy of William Richardson. CDD42 following

National Archives
After Steering 1942

The hole created by a hit from a Japanese shore battery on Corregidor on February 14, 1945.  The shell exploded below decks killing 8 and wounding several men.  Photo courtesy of Jack Mills.
Shell hole in fo’c’sle
February 14, 1945

Photo courtesy of William Richardson
Starboard turn

Survivors from the USS De Haven DD-469 approaching Fletcher in an LCT after being rescued after Japanese planes sunk their ship. National Archives
Feb. 1, 1943
DD-469 survivors

Survivors from the USS De Haven DD-469 are transferred to Fletcher from an LCT. National Archives
Feb. 1, 1943
DD-469 survivors

National Archives August 19, 1943

Departing Mare Island after overhaul. National Archives
August 19, 1943

Photo courtesy of William Richardson Depth charge

Score card painted on the forward gun director in December 1944.  Photo courtesy of William Richardson.
Score Card

Circa 1944.  A censor has brushed out the radars. Photo courtesy of Marlon Piper
Profile 1944

Entering Subic Bay, Philippines in 1945.  Photo courtesy of William 'Skip' Richardson.
At sea

National Archives
Aft Control 1942

April 13, 1943, Admiral Ainsworth presents to CTF18 a cribbage board made from deck wood from a Japanese submarine sunk by Fletcher on February 11,. 1943. National Archives
April 13, 1943

Official U.S. Navy photo.  With USS Nicholas DD-449 in 1944
1944

A view from the mast of USS Jenkins DD-447 in 1944 or 1945.  Fletcher is on the left and Radford is on the right.  Photo courtesy of William Richardson
DD-445, 447, 446

Mare Island, August 13, 1943. National Archives
August 13, 1943

National Archives
Bridge 1942

Four days before commissioning. National Archives
June 26, 1942

Main engine control.  National Archives
Main Control 1942

Official U.S.Navy Photo.  At anchor, Purvis Bay, Florida Island, Solomon Islands, March 26, 1943. March 26, 1943

Gunnery practice before entering Espiritu Santo.  USS Strong DD-467 and USS O'Bannon DD-450 are following.  National Archives
April 10, 1943

Leaving Sydney, Australia after a 10 day rest May 4, 1943

April 13, 1943 Aft 40mm 1943

Official U.S. Navy photo, July 18, 1942
July 18, 1942

Official U.S. Navy photo, July 18, 1942
July 18, 1942

June 29, 1942, the day before Fletcher was commissioned
June 29, 1942

Official U.S. Navy photo, WWII
1944

Photo courtesy of William Richardson Friendly aircraft

August 1943 at Mare island. National Archives
Mare Island 1943

The switchboard in the after engine room.  Photo  courtesy of Linda Ayotte-Messner
Switchboard

circa November 1945 in San Diego, looking the worse for wear.  Photo couresty of Linda Ayotte-Messner 1945

Late 1945, photo courtesy of Linda Ayotte-Messner
Amidships 1945

Anchored near San Diego, late 1945 or early  1946
1946

 

 



1950 - 1959

Official U.S. Navy photo, leaving San Diego, 1950
San Diego 1950

Official U.S. Navy photo, early 1950s in Pearl Harbor
Early 1950s

Official U.S. Navy photo
1951

Refueling at Midway enroute to Korea.  Photo courtesy of Ed Patapas
Midway Island 1952

Official U.S. Navy photo, refueling in Korean waters from the USS Bremerton CA-130 , May 30, 1953. Photo donated by Navy photographer Marvin R Miller.
Near Korea 1954

Official U.S. Navy photo, refueling in Korean waters from the USS Bremerton CA-130 , May 30, 1953. Photo donated by Navy photographer Marvin R Miller.
Rough refueling 1954

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Bob McCurley
Screw damage 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Bob McCurley
Rudder damage 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Bob McCurley
Drydock 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Bob McCurley
Drydock 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Bob McCurley
Drydock 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Bob McCurley.
Drydock 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with starboard screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Gil Teclaw., photo by Al Nathe.
Screw damage 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with port screw damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Gil Teclaw., photo by Al Nathe.
Screw damage 1952

Drydock in Sasebo, Japan with rudder damaged after running aground near Yang Po, Korea on May 31, 1952.  Photo courtesy of Gil Teclaw, photo by Al Nathe.
Rudder damage 1952