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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 83213:  USS Aaron Ward, photographed 17 November 1944

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

USS Aaron Ward (DM-34), 1944-1946

USS Aaron Ward, a 2200-ton Robert H. Smith class light minelayer, was built at San Pedro, California. Originally intended to be a destroyer (DD-773) of the Allen M. Sumner class, she was converted to a mine warfare ship after launching and entered commissioned service in late October 1944. Aaron Ward arrived in the Pacific war zone in February 1945, and in March took part in the invasion of Okinawa. For the next several weeks, she supported minesweeping operations, performed escort, patrol and radar picket duties, and helped fight off constant Japanese air raids.

On 3 May 1945, while on picket station west of Okinawa, Aaron Ward was the target of intense attacks by Kamikaze suicide planes. She shot down several, but was hit and near-missed by many more. Her crew managed to keep their badly-damaged ship afloat, an effort that was recognized by the award of a Presidential Unit Citation, and she was towed to an anchorage the next day. Following temporary repairs, she was able to steam across the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, to arrive at New York in August 1945. With World War II now nearly at an end, Aaron Ward was not worth the expense of renovation. She was decommissioned in late September 1945 and sold for scrapping in July 1946.

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 the views we have related to USS Aaron Ward (DM-34).


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 83213

USS Aaron Ward (DM-34)


Photographed on 17 November 1944.
The ship is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 11a.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1975.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 62571

USS Aaron Ward (DM-34)


In the Kerama Retto anchorage, 5 May 1945, showing damage received when she was hit by several Japanese suicide planes off Okinawa on 3 May.
Note three-bladed aircraft propeller lodged in her superstructure, just forward of the after 5"/38 twin gun mount.

Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 62572

USS Aaron Ward (DM-34)


In the Kerama Retto anchorage, 5 May 1945, showing damage received when she was hit by several Kamikazes off Okinawa on 3 May.

Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-330107

USS Aaron Ward (DM-34)


Damage amidships received during Kamikaze attacks off Okinawa on 3 May 1945. View looks down and aft from Aaron Ward's foremast, with her greatly distorted forward smokestack in the lower center.
Photographed while the ship was in the Kerama Retto on 5 May 1945.
A mine is visible at left,on the ship's starboard mine rails.

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

Online Image: 169KB; 590 x 765 pixels

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

 


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


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Page made 26 May 2003