USS Turner DD-648

Type:
Destroyer
Class:
Builder:
Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
Kearney, New Jersey
Hull Number:
DD-648
Ordered:
N/A
Commissioned:
April 15, 1943
Keel Laid:
November 16, 1942
Decommissioned:
N/A
Launched:
February 28, 1943
Stricken:
April 8, 1944
Fate:

Sunk Jan. 3, 1944 due to internal explosion.

Location: North Atlantic, 6 miles east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
(70.29N - 73.52W)

138 crewmen were killed, 165 survivors were picked up by USS Inch DE-146, USS Thorn DD-647,
USS Swasey DE-248, USCG-83306, USCG-83359, USCG-83337, USCG-83343, CGR-1904 and
Motor Lifeboat 36319.
(Roll of Honor)


Commanders
From
To
Name
Apr. 15, 1943
Jan. 3, 1944
Commander Henry Sollett Wygant Jr., U.S.N.


History:
June 1943:
Shakedown and anti-submarine training in Casco Bay, Maine.
June 20, 1943:
Training cruise with USS Bunker Hill CV-17, returned on June 22.
June 24, 1943:
Escorted with convoy UGS-11 (Hampton Roads, Virginia-Port Said, Egypt), detached from
convoy at Casablanca, Morocco July 18.
July 23, 1943:

Escorted convoy from Casablanca to New York, detached from convoy Aug. 9.
Aug. 1943:
Escorted convoy from New York to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on the return trip rendezvoused
with HMS Victorious and escorted her to Norfolk, Virginia.
Sept. 1943:
Anti-submarine training in Casco Bay, Maine.
Sept. 24, 1943:
Escorted convoy UGS-19 (Hampton Roads, Virginia-Port Said, Egypt), detached from
convoy at Casablanca Oct. 12.
Oct. 16, 1943:
Departed Casablanca.
Oct. 17,1943:
Arrived at Gibraltar.
Oct. 19, 1943:
Escorted convoy GUS-18 (Alexandria, Egypt-Hampton Roads, Virginia), detached from
convoy Nov. 6.
(Oct. 23 attacked suspected U-boat at position 34.15N - 23.29W, crew claims sinking the
boat, but no credit was given. No U-boats were reported missing in this area on this date
so it must be assumed the attack was against a non-submarine target. See reports in
Related Articles section.)

Nov. 1943:
Anti-submarine training in Casco Bay, Maine.
Nov. 23, 1943:
Escorted convoy UGS-25 (Hampton Roads, Virginia-Port Said, Egypt), detached from
convoy Dec. 11.
Dec. 17, 1943:
Escorted convoy GUS-24 (Port Said, Egypt-Hampton Roads, Virginia), detached from
convoy Jan. 2, 1944 at New York.
Jan. 3, 1944:
Exploded and sank off Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
Notes:
Christened by Mrs. Louis E. Denfield
 
Eight of Turner's crew were recommended for commendations for actions during the
sinking, they are:
Brown, Irving M. (Fireman 1st Class) (USNR)
Delannoy Jr., Gustavo (Seaman 2nd Class) (USNR)
Flynn, Edmund F. J. (Chief Torpedoman's Mate)
Lockwood, James (Motor Machinist's Mate 1st Class) (USNR)
McIntire, Ralph W. (Machinist's Mate 2nd Class) (USNR)
McKinstry, William A. (Ship's Cook 2nd Class)
O'Connor, James C. (Coxswain)
Scott, Harold T. (Gunner's Mate 3rd Class) (USNR)

Lieutenant (j.g.) John C. Dean USCGR, commanding USCG-83306 was also recommended
for commendation for his actions assisting the Turner.


Builder's Data
Page published May 17, 2004