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Photo # 80-G-48564: USS Spence underway in Iron Bottom Sound, off Guadalcanal, 23 March 1944

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

USS Spence (DD-512), 1943-1944

USS Spence, a 2050-ton Fletcher class destroyer built at Bath, Maine, was commissioned in January 1943. After a Caribbean shakedown cruise and escort service between the U.S. and North Africa, she went to the South Pacific in mid-year and soon began operations in the Solomon Islands area as part of Destroyer Squadron 23. During late September and October 1943 Spence participated in patrols off Kolombangara and Vella Lavella that destroyed several Japanese barges, and supported the Treasury Islands landings. In connection with the invasion of Bougainville, she conducted shore bombardments at the beginning of November. Spence then took part in the night Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, helping to sink the Japanese destroyer Hatsukaze. She was heavily engaged in combat action during the rest of the month, fighting off enemy air attacks, performing escort and patrol missions, and, on 25 November, taking part in the Battle of Cape St. George, in which three Japanese destroyers were sunk.

Spence remained active in the Solomons area for the rest of 1943 and the first three months of 1944, shelling enemy targets ashore and afloat as the Allied offensive reached northwards. Late in March she shifted to the central Pacific to escort the fast aircraft carriers as they raided the Caroline Islands and covered landings at Hollandia, New Guinea. In June 1944, as part of the Marianas Campaign, Spence bombarded Saipan, Guam, and Rota, as well as escorting the carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Following an overhaul at San Francisco, California, she went to the western Pacific in early November, escorting Task Force 38's carriers as they delivered air attacks in the Philippines. On 18 December her unit encountered a powerful typhoon. Spence, low on fuel and therefore less stable than normally, suffered electrical and steering casualties, rolled deeply to port, capsized and sank. Just 24 of her crew survived her loss.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Spence (DD-512).


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 99103

USS Spence (DD-512)

In San Francisco Bay, California, 24 July 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 625 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-48564

USS Spence (DD-512)

Steaming in Iron Bottom Sound, off Guadalcanal, with her crew manning the rails, 23 March 1944.
Photographed from USS Montpelier (CL-57).
Savo Island is visible in the distance.
Wartime censors retouched this image to delete the fire control radar antenna atop Spence's Mark 37 gun director.

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

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 99102

USS Spence (DD-512)

In San Francisco Bay, California, circa early October 1944.
The ship is wearing Camouflage Measure 31, Design 2c.
Wartime censors retouched this image to delete the radar antennas atop the Spence's gun director and foremast.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-14999 (Color)

Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia

Destroyers alongside one of the base's piers, during the spring or early summer of 1943.
They are (from left to right):
USS Edison (DD-439);
USS Schroeder (DD-501);
USS Spence (DD-512); and
USS Foote (DD-511).
Photographed by Kerlee.

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

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 505 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 59855

Captain Arleigh A. Burke, USN,
Commander Destroyer Squadron 23 (seated, right center)

With other officers of the squadron, during operations in the Solomon Islands, circa 1943.
Those present are (seated, left to right):
Commander Luther K. Reynolds, Commanding Officer, USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570);
Commander R.W. Cavenaugh;
Captain Burke; and
Commander R.A. Gano, Commanding Officer, USS Dyson (DD-572).
(standing, left to right):
Commander Henry J. Armstrong, Commanding Officer, USS Spence (DD-512);
Lieutenant J.W. Bobb;
Commander J.B. Morland; and
Commander J.B. Calwell.
All but Cdr. Gano and Capt. Burke have autographed the original print.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59864

Destroyer Squadron 23

Officers of the squadron enjoy a beer at "Cloob Des-Slot", Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands, on 24 May 1944.
Those present are (from left to right):
Commander R.A. Gano, Commanding Officer, USS Dyson (DD-572);
Commander Luther K. Reynolds, Commanding Officer, USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570);
Captain Arleigh A. Burke, Squadron Commodore;
Commander B.L. Austin, Commander Destroyer Division 46;
Commander D.C. Hamberger, Commanding Officer, USS Converse (DD-509);
Commander Herald Stout, Commanding Officer, USS Claxton (DD-571); and
Commander Henry J. Armstrong, Commanding Officer, USS Spence (DD-512).

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 92843

Senior officers of Destroyer Squadron 23

Have a beer together at "Cloob Des-Slot", Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands, 24 May 1944. They are (from left to right):
Commander R.A. Gano, Commanding Officer, USS Dyson (DD-572);
Commander Luther K. Reynolds, Commanding Officer, USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570);
Captain Arleigh A. Burke, Squadron Commodore;
Commander B.L. Austin, Commander Destroyer Division 46;
Commander D.C. Hamberger, Commanding Officer, USS Converse (DD-509);
Commander Herald Stout, Commanding Officer, USS Claxton (DD-571); and
Commander Henry J. Armstrong, Commanding Officer, USS Spence (DD-512).

Mare Island Naval Shipyard Collection, 1981.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 113KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 24 January 2004
    Text corrected 8 January 2009