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.

Royal Navy Sloop HMS Hartland (American Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Pontchartrain)

HMS Hartland.

USCGC Pontchartrain (1928) was a Lake-class cutter belonging to the United States Coast Guard launched on 16 June 1928 and commissioned on 13 October 1928 . After 13 years of service in the Coast Guard, she was transferred to the Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease Act. She was sunk in 1942 off Oran Harbor.

After commissioning in November 1928, Pontchartrain was homeported in Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to the Bering Sea Patrol.

On 4 December 1940 Pontchartrain rescued the entire crew of the 70 foot tugboat Edwin Duke which was in danger of sinking in a storm south of Long Island.

As part of the Lend-Lease Act she was transferred to the Royal Navy where she was renamed HMS Hartland (Y00) and commissioned on 30 April 1941. In November 1942, while taking part in Operation Reservist, she was sunk by gunfire from the French destroyer Typhon off Oran Harbor taking 34 crew members with her.

United States

Name: USCGC Pontchartrain (1928)

Namesake: Lake Pontchartrain

Builder: Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation

Laid down: 29 November 1927

Launched: 16 June 1928

Commissioned: 13 October 1928

Decommissioned: 30 April 1941

Fate: Transferred to Royal Navy, 30 April 1941

United Kingdom

Name: HMS Hartland (Y00)

Commissioned: 30 April 1941

Fate: Sunk off Oran Harbor, 8 November 1942.

Class and type:

Lake-class cutter (USCG)

Banff-class sloop (RN)

Displacement: 2,075 long tons (2,108 t)

Length: 250 ft (76 m)

Beam: 42 ft (13 m)

Draft: 12 ft 11 in (3.94 m)

Propulsion:

1 × General Electric turbine-driven 3,350 shp (2,500 kW) electric motor

2 boilers

Speed:

14.8 kn (27.4 km/h; 17.0 mph) cruising

17.5 kn (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) maximum

Complement: 97

Armament:

1 × 5 inch gun

1 × 3 inch gun

2 × 6-pounder (57 mm)

 

USCGC Pontchartrain, pre-World War II.

Royal Navy Sloop HMS Walney (American Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Sebago)

HMS Walney, formerly USCGC Sebago, after refit. Underway in coastal waters. 6 June 1941.

USCGC Sebago (1930) was a Lake-class cutter belonging to the United States Coast Guard launched on 12 April 1930 and commissioned on 2 October 1930. After 11 years of service with the Coast Guard, she was transferred to the Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease Act.

She was originally the United States Coast Guard Cutter Sebago, a 250-foot Lake-class cutter. She was commissioned into Coast Guard service on 2 September 1930, originally serving in New York and participating in several Coast Guard Academy cadet cruises before being reassigned to Norfolk, Virginia. She was renamed HMS Walney when commissioned into the Royal Navy on 12 May 1941 under the Lend-Lease Agreement.

Walney joined the Londonderry Sloop Division in June, and was assigned to escort the passage of the Atlantic convoys. In July she was deployed in the Western Approaches and on 24 July was deployed as part of the escort for a convoy from St. John's, Newfoundland to the United Kingdom. On 14 August Walney put into a Liverpool shipyard to undergo modifications to fit her for service as an escort. She returned to the Western Approaches on 9 September and was transferred to the 41st Escort Group to help defend convoys between the United Kingdom and West Africa. Her first deployment came a few days later on 12 September, when she was deployed as an escort for Convoy OS-6, consisting of 29 merchants on passage to Bathurst, Gambia. Walney was detached during the convoy's passage through the Atlantic, and joined HMS Hartland in escorting the merged convoys SL-88 from Freetown and HG-74 from Gibraltar to Liverpool. This joint convoy comprised 37 ships. She was detached from this convoy on 18 October and sailed to Belfast. She arrived on 20 October and underwent a refit. On its completion on 31 October, Walney rejoined the 41st Group.

Walney deployed again with Hartland on 7 November, when they escorted the 41 merchants of convoy OS-11 on their passage to Bathurst. They were detached on arrival and sailed to Freetown. By 30 November they were escorting the 29 merchants of convoy SL-94 from Freetown to Liverpool. Again, after arriving in the UK on 20 December, Walney sailed for Belfast. She arrived two days later on 22 December and underwent another refit, this time involving the fitting of Huff-Duff equipment. She deployed again on 4 January, rejoining the Western Approaches Command. The following day she departed as an escort to Bathurst for the 56 merchants of convoy OS-16, and on arrival sailed to Freetown and together with Hartland departed on 27 January escorting the 26 merchants of convoy SL-99 to the UK. Arriving on 16 February, she was under repair at Belfast from 17 February and resumed convoy escort duties on 26 February.

On 3 March Walney was involved in a minor collision with the SS Empire Dolphin. The Walney was damaged above the waterline, but remained operational. She deployed the next day with the Hartland as an escort for the 54 merchants of convoy OS-21 on passage from West Africa to Liverpool. She was detached after the arrival of the local escort at Freetown, and the two sloops escorted the 30 merchants of convoy SL-104 to Liverpool. They arrived on 12 April, with Walney being detached to sail to Chatham Dockyard. She was under refit there from 20 April, which lasted until 10 July. On the completion of refit trials she rejoined the 41st Group at Londonderry. She was then assigned to escort the 40 merchants of convoy OS-32 to West Africa from Liverpool. She was detached at Freetown on 8 July, and again with Hartland, escorted the 33 merchants of convoy SL-116 back to the UK. Again with Hartland she escorted convoy OS-38 to Africa, followed by the returning SL-122 back to Liverpool, arriving on 6 October. During Walney's deployment, no merchants had been lost in transit through the Atlantic. In recognition of her efforts, Walney was awarded the battle honor ATLANTIC 1941-42.

After her arrival in Londonderry, she was nominated for special duties during the planned North African landings (Operation Torch). From 13 October she was prepared for the task of breaking into Oran harbor. She sailed from the Clyde on 26 October, in company with the Hartland, as part of the escort for the military convoy MKF-1 to Gibraltar. On arrival in November, the two sloops embarked troops to carry out a landing inside the harbor (Operation Reservist). The operation commenced on 8 November, but rapidly ran into trouble. The Walney, leading the Hartland into the harbor, came under heavy fire from French shore defenses and warships. She rammed the outer, and then the inner booms but was sunk. On board Walney at the time were 200 men of the American 2nd Battalion 6th Armored Infantry Regiment and a 35-strong US Naval contingent, with six US Marines. The Walney was struck repeatedly by shells from the French sloop Surprise, setting the Walney on fire and finally capsizing her. Only 14 of her crew survived, one officer and 13 ratings. 81 of her crew and most of the troops being carried went down with the ship.

United States

Name: USCGC Sebago

Namesake: Sebago Lake

Builder: General Engineering and Drydock Company

Launched: 10 February 1930

Commissioned: 2 September 1930

Fate: Transferred to Royal Navy, 12 May 1941

United Kingdom

Name: HMS Walney (Y04)

Launched: 10 February 1930

Commissioned: 12 May 1941

Fate: Sunk during Operation Reservist

Sunk: 8 November 1942

Class and type:

Lake-class cutter (USCG)

Banff-class sloop (RN)

Displacement: 2,075 long tons (2,108 t)

Length: 250 ft (76 m)

Beam: 42 ft (13 m)

Draft: 12 ft 11 in (3.94 m)

Propulsion:

1 × General Electric turbine-driven 3,350 shp (2,500 kW) electric motor

2 boilers

Speed:

14.8 kn (27.4 km/h; 17.0 mph) cruising

17.5 kn (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) maximum

Complement: 97

Armament:

1 × 5 inch gun

1 × 3 inch gun

2 × 6-pounder (57 mm)

 

USCGC Sebago underway, pre-World War II.

Model of ex-US Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Sebago, built in the late 1920s, and supplied to the Royal Navy under Lease-Lend as HMS Walney.