Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 44311:  USS Glennon after she hit a mine off Normandy on 8 June 1944

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

USS Glennon (DD-620), 1942-1944

USS Glennon, a 1630-ton Gleaves class destroyer, was built at Kearny, New Jersey. After commissioning in October 1942, she shook down off New England and, during much of 1943, protected convoys carrying men and supplies for the campaign in Italy. Following Atlantic escort missions in late 1943 and the first four months of 1944, Glennon went to Northern Ireland to prepare for the impending invasion of France. On 6 June 1944, "D-Day" of the Normandy landings, she operated off "Utah" Beach, providing protection for invasion shipping and naval gunfire support for assault troops.

Her guns were also active off "Utah" Beach on 7 June, and Glennon was scheduled to deliver more fire support on the following day, but struck a mine that morning that destroyed her stern and left her immobilized. While attempting to help, the escort ship Rich hit two more mines and sank. For two days Glennon's crew, assisted by other ships, tried to salvage the damaged destroyer, whose wrecked after structure locked her to the shallow sea floor. As this work continued on the morning of 10 June, she was hit by German artillery fire, which cut her power and forced her abandonment. USS Glennon capsized and sank that evening. Twenty-five of her crew lost their lives during her ordeal.

USS Glennon was named in honor of Rear Admiral James H. Glennon, USN, (1857-1940).

This page features the only view we have concerning USS Glennon (DD-620).


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 44311

USS Glennon
(DD-620), at right

After her stern was blown off by a mine, off Normandy on 8 June 1944.
USS Rich (DE-695), a U.S. PT boat, a British motor launch, and a U.S. "Auk" class minesweeper are standing by. Rich soon hit another mine, which also destroyed her stern, and was then sunk by a third mine.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 


In addition to the view referenced above, the National Archives appears to hold at least one other photograph of USS Glennon (DD-620). The following listing describes this image:

The image listed below is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • Photo #: 80-G-46072
    USS Glennon (DD-620) underway. The photograph was released for publication on 1 August 1944, probably in connection with the announcement of Glennon's loss.
    Starboard broadside surface view, rather toward the stern. Glennon is painted in horizontal two-tone camouflage (possibly Measure 22). Wartime censors have painted over her gun director radar antenna in this image.


    Reproductions of this image should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The image listed above is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • 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 17 January 2004