1941 – Oct 17, USS Kearny torpedoed by German sub prior to war, off Iceland          —     11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 9-23-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  Naval Historical Center. “FAQs…Casualties: US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel…”

–11  Naval History and Heritage Command. “USS Kearny (DD-432).

Narrative Information

Naval History and Heritage Command. “USS Kearny (DD-432):

“USS Kearny (DD-432) was launched 9 March 1940 by the Federal Ship Building & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N. J.; sponsored by Miss Mary Kearny; and commissioned on 13 September 1940, Cmdr. Anthony L. Danis in command. 

“After shakedown and sea trials, USS Kearny (DD-432) got underway 19 February 1941 from New York Harbor for St. Thomas, V.I., where she took part in the “Neutrality Patrol” off Fort de France, Martinique, French West Indies, until 9 March. The new destroyer patrolled around San Juan, P.R., and escorted ships in the Norfolk area until August when she sailed for Argentia, Newfoundland, to escort North Atlantic convoys.

“While USS Kearny (DD-432) was escorting a convoy in the North Atlantic before the United States entered the war, three convoy merchant ships were torpedoed 16 October. USS Kearny (DD-432) immediately began dropping depth charges and continued to barrage throughout the night. At the beginning of the midwatch 17 October, a torpedo struck USS Kearny (DD-432) on starboard side. Regaining power in the forward fire room, Kearny steamed to Iceland at 10 knots, arriving 19 October. USS Kearny (DD-432) lost 11 bluejackets and 22 others were injured in this attack. After temporary repairs USS Kearny (DD-432) got underway Christmas Day 1941, and moored 6 days later at Boston, Mass., for permanent repairs….”

Sources

Naval Historical Center. “Frequently Asked Questions,  Casualties: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Wounded in Wars, Conflicts, Terrorist Acts, and Other Hostile Incidents.”  Washington DC:  Dept. of the Navy. At:  http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq56-1.htm

Also at: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/AMH-USNchron.htm

Naval History and Heritage Command. “USS Kearny (DD-432). Accessed 9-23-2024 at: https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-navy-ships/alphabetical-listing/k/uss-kearny–dd-432–0.html