USS George A. Johnson Destroyer Escort DE-583

George A. Johnson (DE-583) underway. National Archives 80-G-245444.

USS George A. Johnson (DE-583) was a Rudderow-class destroyer escort serving with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. From 1946 to 1957, she was used as a Navy Reserve training ship. She was scrapped in 1966.

George Alfred Johnson was born on 26 September 1922 in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 28 January 1942. He served at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Base Quantico, before sailing for the Pacific in April 1942. Attached to the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Private Johnson participated in the invasion of Tulagi, Solomon Islands on 7 August 1942. During mopping-up operations 2 days later, his squad came under rifle fire from a sniper's nest in a nearby cave. He rushed to the mouth of the cave and continued to throw in grenades until he was killed, allowing his squad to advance. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

George A. Johnson was laid down by Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, Massachusetts, 24 November 1943; launched 12 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Alfred R. Johnson, Private Johnson's mother; and commissioned 15 April 1944.

After shakedown off Bermuda, George A. Johnson departed New York 24 June 1944 to escort a convoy bound for Bizerte, Tunisia. Despite several encounters with German aircraft off the North African coast, the convoy reached Bizerte 14 July. She then returned to New York for exercises and upkeep before departing Norfolk 2 September and joining another Mediterranean-bound convoy. This time the ships steamed to Palermo, Sicily, arriving 23 September. She next joined a westbound convoy 28 September and arrived New York 17 October.

After preparing for duty in the Pacific, she departed New York 3 November and steamed via the Panama Canal to Hollandia, New Guinea, where she arrived 24 December. George A. Johnson escorted supply convoys from New Guinea to Allied bases in the Philippines. Departing Mois Woendi 4 January 1945, she joined cargo ships bound for Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. Four kamikaze planes attacked the convoy 12 January; but, under the cover of antiaircraft fire of George A. Johnson and other escorts, the entire convoy reached Lingayen Gulf the next day.

George A. Johnson engaged in patrol and convoy duties in the Philippines until 26 January 1945, when she supported landings at San Antonio, Luzon. After this operation, she resumed convoy escort duty out of Leyte Gulf, steaming to Ulithi, Hollandia, and Manus. Arriving Hollandia from Leyte Gulf 27 April, she remained there until August.

Returning to the Philippines after the Japanese surrender, George A. Johnson departed Manila 4 September for Jinsen, Korea, to join Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in USS Rocky Mount (AGC-3). The force then set course for the Yangtze River 15 September and on 19 September were the first American ships since 1941 to enter this river. Continuing to Shanghai, George A. Johnson and other units of the 7th Fleet aided in the reoccupation of Shanghai and establishment of the Yangtze Patrol.

Her war service completed, George A. Johnson departed for Okinawa 11 October. From there she steamed via Pearl Harbor to San Diego, arriving 5 November. She remained at San Diego and decommissioned 31 May 1946.

In August, however, she was assigned to the 12th Naval District as a training ship. She served out of commission in this capacity until 29 September 1950 when she was placed in commission in reserve as a training ship. Until late 1957 George A. Johnson trained reservists, making occasional cruises off the California coast. She decommissioned in September 1957 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island, California. Her name was struck from the Navy Directory 1 November 1965 and she was sold for scrap.

While being towed to San Diego for scrapping on the night of 12/13 October 1966, the George A. Johnson broke free from her tow cable and ran aground at Sharp Park Beach, Pacifica, California. After attempts to refloat her proved unsuccessful, she was cut up and scrapped onsite over a period of six months.

Details

Name: USS George A. Johnson

Namesake: George A. Johnson

Builder: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard

Laid down: 24 November 1943

Launched: 12 January 1944

Sponsored by: Mrs. Alfred R. Johnson, mother of Private Johnson

Commissioned: 15 April 1944

Recommissioned: 29 September 1950

Decommissioned: September 1957

Stricken: 1 November 1965

Fate: Sold for scrap

Class and type: Rudderow

Type: Destroyer escort

Displacement: 1,450 tons

Length: 306 feet

Beam: 36 feet, 10 inches

Draft: 9 feet 8 inches

Speed: 24 knots

Complement: 186

Armament:

2 × 5 in/38 cal (127 mm) (2x1)

4 × 40-mm (2x2)

10 × 20 mm (10x1)

3 × 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (1x3)

1 Hedgehog depth bomb thrower

8 depth charge projectors (8x1)

2 depth charge racks

USS George A. Johnson DE-583.

 

George Alfred Johnson was born in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, on 26 September 1922 and was the first of seven children: George, Gloria, Mary Jane, Don, Gary, Edna Mae, and William. He was a member of the YMCA, worked part time as a pin-boy at the Y bowling alleys, and later as a welder at Lukens Steel. He is remembered as a very hard worker, and really gave himself to his family and friends. George attended Scott High School in Coatesville, Class of 1942. He left school his senior year to enlist in the Marine Corps on 28 January 1942. He went through basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and advanced infantry training at Quantico, Virginia before sailing for the Pacific in April 1942. Attached to the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Private Johnson participated in the invasion of Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 7 August 1942. During mop-up operations two days later, his squad came under rifle fire from a sniper’s nest in a nearby cave. Private Johnson rushed to the mouth of the cave and continued to throw in grenades until he was killed, allowing his squad to advance. For his indomitable fighting spirit and outstanding bravery, Private Johnson was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

George A. Johnson (DE-583) enters the water for the first time, 12 January 1944.

USS McNulty (DE-581) on the far side of a pier at Brooklyn, New York, with USS George A. Johnson (DE-583) on the near side. Both are wearing Measure 33a/26d camouflage scheme.. Two other unidentified DEs are tied to this pier. Both Johnson and McNulty were assigned to Escort Division 67, which left for the Pacific the same day these photos were taken. 4 November 1944. National Archives 80-G-287712.

USS George A. Johnson in the Whangpoo River at Shanghai. Many naval vessels were arriving that week as TF70.1, for occupation and service duties. Initially she was moored with USS Waller (DD-466). 19 September 1945. National Archives SC221171.

George A. Johnson (DE-583) soon after Johnson’s return to San Diego on 5 November 1945.

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS George A. Johnson (DE-583) underway at sea, in the 1950s. From September 1950 to September 1957, George A. Johnson trained reservists of the 12th Naval District, making occasional cruises off the California coast.

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS George A. Johnson (DE-583) underway at sea, in the 1950s. From September 1950 to September 1957, George A. Johnson trained reservists of the 12th Naval District, making occasional cruises off the California coast.

The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS George A. Johnson (DE-583) laid up at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, on 16 June 1950. In August 1946, she was assigned to the 12th Naval District as a stationary training ship. She served out of commission in this capacity until 29 September 1950 when she was placed in commission in reserve as a training ship.

Beached after breaking tow en route to San Diego, just prior to being broken up.

The decommissioned U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS George A. Johnson (DE-583) after it ran aground in October 1966. She decommissioned in September 1957 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California. Her name was struck from the U.S. Navy List on 1 November 1965 and she was sold for scrap. While being towed to San Diego for scrapping on the night of 12-13 October 1966, George A. Johnson broke free from her tow cable and ran aground at Sharp Park Beach, Pacifica, California. After attempts to refloat her proved unsuccessful, she was cut up and scrapped onsite over a period of six months.