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Photo # 80-G-12263:  USS Aaron Ward in the Solomon Islands area, August 1942

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), 1942-1943

USS Aaron Ward, a 1630-ton Gleaves class destroyer built at Kearny, New Jersey, was commissioned in March 1942. She had a brief shakedown in the western Atlantic and went to the Pacific in May. During the next month, she served as an escort for the escort aircraft carrier Long Island and several old battleships when they put to sea from the U.S. west coast at the time of the Battle of Midway. In July, Aaron Ward steamed to the south Pacific, where she served as an escort to both logistics shipping and warships during the difficult campaign to hold Guadalcanal. While engaged in this work, she was present when the carrier Wasp was torpedoed and sunk on 15 September 1942, and when the heavy cruiser Chester was damaged by a Japanese torpedo on 20 October.

Aaron Ward also was used in close proximity to the hotly-contested island battlefield. On 17 October, she fought off a Japanese air attack and then effectively shelled enemy positions ashore. She participated in another bombardment on 30 October as part of a task force centered on the light cruiser Atlanta. She escorted a convoy of transports to Guadalcanal on 11-12 November and protected them against hostile air attacks while they were off the island. On the night of 12-13 November, in the intial surface phase of the Naval battle of Guadalcanal, she was part of a group of cruisers and destroyers that intercepted and drove off a superior Japanese bombardment force that included two battleships. Hit several times in that action, the following morning the crippled Aaron Ward was fired on, but missed, by the Japanese battleship Hiei.

After repairs and overhaul at Pearl Harbor, Aaron Ward returned to the south Pacific war zone soon after the Japanese evacuated Guadalcanal in February 1943. She was in nearby Tulagi Harbor on 7 April when warning was received of a massive incoming Japanese air raid. Escaping into the relatively open waters of Iron Bottom Sound, she was attacked by several Japanese dive bombers, suffering one hit and several near misses that left her machinery spaces flooded. USS Aaron Ward sank near shore while under tow back to Tulagi.

Aaron Ward's wreck was discovered in some 240 feet of water during the middle 1990s. Extensively explored by divers since then, she is upright, with her bow and stern seriously distorted by impact with the sea floor. Otherwise, however, the old destroyer is in remarkably good condition, and still shows many signs of damage received in her last fight.

USS Aaron Ward was named in honor of Rear Admiral Aaron Ward, USN, (1851-1918), who served actively in the U.S. Navy from 1867 to 1913.

This page features all our views of USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), plus selected views of her construction.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 97809

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)


Probably photographed in New York Harbor, circa 15 May 1942.
This image has been retouched by wartime censors to remove radar antennas atop the gun director and foremast.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-12263

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)


Approaching USS Wasp (CV-7) on 17 August 1942, during operations in the Solomon Islands area.
Note that her port anchor is missing, probably removed as a weight-saving measure. Also note her pattern camouflage.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 19-N-30722

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)


View on board, looking aft from the bow, while the ship was in New York Harbor on 15 May 1942.
Note her forward 5"/38 gun mounts, with 5" powder canisters stacked on deck nearby; and Mark 37 gun director, with "FD" radar antenna, atop the pilothouse.
The tug Robert Aikman and a Navy covered lighter (YF) are alongside.
Fort Richmond, on Staten Island, is visible in the right distance.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 97810

Japanese "I" Operation, April 1943


Ships of Task Force 18 in Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands, shortly before departing hurriedly to avoid the large-scale Japanese air attack that marked the beginning of the "I" Operation, 7 April 1943.
Photographed from USS Fletcher (DD-445).
USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) is partially visible at left. She was fatally damaged in this air attack and sank near Tulagi during salvage attempts. Light cruiser in center is USS Honolulu (CL-48). USS Saint Louis (CL-49) is behind her, to the right, with a Fletcher class destroyer beyond.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 565 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 57702

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)
-- at left -- and
USS Buchanan (DD-484)

Ready for launching, at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, on 22 November 1941.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 143KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 57706

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)


Miss Hilda Ward, daughter of Rear Admiral Aaron Ward, christens the ship named in honor of her father, during launching ceremonies at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, 22 November 1941.
Assisting her is Lieutenant Commander George A. Holderness, Jr. Rear Admiral Harold G. Bowen is standing at left.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 57704

USS Aaron Ward (DD-483)


Afloat immediately after she was launched, at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, 22 November 1941.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 116KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 4 January 2002
Link added 26 May 2003