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Photo # 80-G-K-417:  USS Buchanan at sea in the south Pacific, circa August 1942

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

USS Buchanan (DD-484), 1942-1949

USS Buchanan, a 1630-ton Gleaves class destroyer, was built at Kearny, New Jersey. Commissioned on 21 March 1942, she transited the Panama Canal a few months later and saw considerable action in the south Pacific during the following two years. During this time, Buchanan participated in the landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi on 7-9 August 1942, the rescue of survivors of the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August, the Battle of Cape Esperance on 11-12 October, the early phases of the complex Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 12 November 1942, the invasion of Rendova and New Georgia in June-July 1943, the Battle of Kolombangara on 13 July, the Bougainville campaign in November 1943-January 1944 and the Bismarcks operation in February-March 1944. She was twice damaged in action, on 12 November 1942 and 13 July 1943, and once by grounding on 30 April 1943, but was repaired locally. The destroyer was also credited with sinking the Japanese submarine RO-37 on 22 January 1944.

Following a west coast overhaul, Buchanan took part in the invasion of the Palaus in September-October 1944 and in carrier operations against enemy targets in the Philippines, Formosa and South China Sea areas in December 1944 and January 1945. During the remainder of the Pacific War, she participated in the Iwo Jima operation in February and March, the Okinawa campaign in March-May and strikes by the Fifth Fleets against the Japanese home islands. After Japan capitulated in mid-August, Buchanan operated in support of the surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay and the occupation effort.

Buchanan returned to the United States in October 1945 and soon steamed around to the east coast. Decommissioned at Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1946, she remained in the Reserve Fleet for over two years. In preparation for transfer to Turkey, Buchanan was placed back in commission in December 1948 and formally changed hands in late April 1949. She served as the Turkish Navy destroyer Gelibolu until 1976.

USS Buchanan was named in honor of Admiral Franklin Buchanan (1800-1874), who was an important figure in the United States and Confederate States Navies.

This page features all the views we have of USS Buchanan (DD-484) and provides links to selected photographs of her construction.

For other images related to USS Buchanan, see:

  • USS Buchanan (DD-484) -- 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 #: 80-G-K-417 (Color)

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)

    Steaming near USS Wasp (CV-7) in the South Pacific, circa August 1942, during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
    Note her camouflage scheme.

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

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 570 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-424 (Color)

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)

    Alongside USS Wasp (CV-7) to refuel, while en route to the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion area, 3 August 1942.
    Note her camouflage scheme, and the heavy line rigged between the two ships.

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

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-420 (Color)

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)

    Refueling from USS Wasp (CV-7) while en route to the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion area, 3 August 1942.

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

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 575 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-423 (Color)

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)

    Refueling from USS Wasp (CV-7) while en route to the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion area, 3 August 1942.
    Note her camouflage scheme, depth charges in stern racks and on K-Guns, fenders rigged along her sides, and the red refueling flag flying from her foremast.

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

    Online Image: 101KB; 585 x 765 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-31372

    Guadalcanal-Tulagi Operation, 7-9 August 1942


    Brigadier General William H. Rupertus, USMC, (center) on board USS Neville (AP-16) during the landings on Tulagi, circa 7-8 August 1942.
    BGen. Rupertus, Assistant Division Commander of the First Marine Division, was in charge of combat operations on Tulagi and the other nearby Japanese-held islands.
    Note landing craft moving past in the background. The destroyer in the center distance is probably USS Buchanan (DD-484).

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

    Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-342513

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)


    At Tulagi, Solomon Islands, with a damaged bow, 31 July 1943.
    She had collided with USS Woodworth (DD-460) while avoiding torpedoes during the Battle of Kolombangara on 13 July 1943.

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

    Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: NH 97772

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, after overhaul, 19 June 1944.
    The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 31 Design 3d.

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

    Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97773

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, after overhaul, 19 June 1944.
    The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 31 Design 3d.

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

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97774

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, after overhaul, 19 June 1944.
    Note the color division line in the center of the stern for her Measure 31 Design 3d camouflage. Also visible at the stern are depth charge tracks and smoke generating tanks.

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

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97771

    USS Buchanan (DD-484)


    In Kossol Passage, Palau, on 8 October 1944, after having completed the rescue of eight of eleven crewmen of a PBM patrol seaplane that had suffered a forced landing and crack-up at sea.
    Photographed by CPhoM D.S. Fruchey, of USS Chandeleur (AV-10).

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

    Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: SC 304314

    Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945


    A U.S. Army honor guard presents arms as representatives of the Allied Powers arrive at pierside to be taken to USS Missouri for the surrender ceremonies, 2 September 1945.
    Uniform patches and unit flag indicate that the honor guard is from the 11th Airborne Division Reconnaissance Battalion.
    USS Buchanan (DD-484) is alongside the pier. She carried some of the dignitaries out to the Missouri.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

     

    For other images related to USS Buchanan, see:

  • USS Buchanan (DD-484) -- Construction.


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 20 November 2001