View source for USS Sigourney (DD-643)

{{Short description|Fletcher-class destroyer}}
{{other ships|USS Sigourney}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
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{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS Sigourney;0564305.jpg|300px|USS Sigourney (DD-643) underway during the early or middle 1950s.]]
|Ship caption=USS ''Sigourney'' (DD-643) underway during the early or middle 1950s.
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1960}}
|Ship name=
|Ship namesake=[[James Sigourney]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Bath Iron Works]]
|Ship laid down= 7 December 1942
|Ship launched=24 April 1943
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=29 June 1943
|Ship decommissioned=1 May 1960
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=1 December 1974
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=Sold for scrap, 31 July 1975
|Ship notes=
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer}}
|Ship displacement=2,050&nbsp;tons
|Ship length=376&nbsp;ft 6&nbsp;in (114.7&nbsp;m) 
|Ship beam=39&nbsp;ft 8&nbsp;in (12.1&nbsp;m)
|Ship draught=
|Ship draft=17&nbsp;ft 9&nbsp;in (5.4&nbsp;m)
|Ship propulsion=*60,000&nbsp;shp (45&nbsp;MW);
*2 propellers
|Ship speed={{convert|35|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=*6500 [[nautical mile|nmi.]] (12,000&nbsp;km)
*&nbsp; at 15&nbsp;kt
|Ship complement=329
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*5 × [[5"/38 caliber gun|{{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}]],
*4 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm]] AA guns,
*4 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm]] AA guns,
*10 × [[American 21 inch torpedo|21 inch (533 mm)]]  [[torpedo tube]]s,
*6 × [[depth charge]] projectors,
*2 × depth charge tracks 
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
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|}

'''USS ''Sigourney'' (DD-643)''' was a {{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer}}, the second ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for [[James Sigourney]], an officer during the [[War of 1812]].

''Sigourney'' was laid down on 7 December 1942 by [[Bath Iron Works]] Corp., [[Bath, Maine]], [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 24 April 1943, sponsored by Miss Amy C. Olney; and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 29 June 1943.

== World War II ==

The destroyer underwent shakedown training in [[Casco Bay]], [[Maine]], and in the [[Bermuda]] operating area. After post-shakedown repairs, ''Sigourney'' sailed, on 14 September 1943, from [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk]] with [[cruiser]] [[USS Baltimore (CA-68)|''Baltimore'']] (CA-68) en route to the west coast. They arrived at [[San Diego]] on 3 October, and the DD departed the next day for [[Pearl Harbor]]. She was routed onward to [[Espiritu Santo]], [[New Hebrides]]. The ship arrived on 25 October at Port Vila and then at Espiritu Santo on 26 October, where she was assigned to [[Destroyer Squadron 22]] (DesRon 22), [[Destroyer Division 44]] (DesDiv&nbsp;44).

=== Southwest Pacific campaigns ===
Staging was then in progress for the invasion of [[Cape Torokina]], [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]], [[Solomon Islands]]. ''Sigourney'' escorted the transports of the assault phase to the landing area and then participated in the preliminary bombardment of the landing beaches on 1 November 1943. The ship was under air attack but suffered no damage while splashing two enemy planes. ''Sigourney'' then participated in resupply operations, with [[Task Force 31]] (TF&nbsp;31), from [[Tulagi]] to the [[beachhead]]. On the morning of 17 November, the destroyer was escorting a [[convoy]] to [[Empress Augusta Bay]] when it was attacked by [[Japan]]ese planes. The convoy was illuminated by flares and [[torpedo]] planes began their runs. The high speed transport, {{USS|McKean|APD-5|2}} (APD-5), was struck by a torpedo and began to burn furiously. ''Sigourney'' and [[USS Talbot (DD-114)|''Talbot'']] (DD-114) were alongside for approximately two hours trying to rescue survivors. ''Sigourney'' rescued 34 but as the two destroyers were illuminated by the burning transport, they were under constant air attack. Neither was damaged, and ''Sigourney'' splashed two of the planes.

On 10 December, ''Sigourney'' was damaged when she ran aground near Koiare, [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]].<ref name=USNChron1943>{{cite book | url = https://archive.org/details/TheOfficialChronologyOfTheUSNavyInWorldWarII | title = The official chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II | chapter = Chapter V: 1943 | chapter-url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1943.html | first = Robert | last = Cressman | location = Annapolis, Maryland | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 2000 | isbn = 978-1-55750-149-3 | oclc = 41977179 | access-date = 2007-12-13 | url-access = registration }}</ref>

''Sigourney'' and her squadron continued operations with TF&nbsp;31 until 6 May 1944. The destroyer participated in anti[[submarine]] sweeps, [[barge]] hunts, and in combined operations with [[PT boat]]s and supporting aircraft. In February 1944, the destroyer was a unit in the [[Green Islands Attack Group]] which landed [[New Zealand]] troops there on the 15th. On the night of 29 February&ndash;1 March, ''Sigourney'', with DesRon 22, engaged in an antishipping sweep of [[Simpson Harbor]] and then bombarded [[Rabaul]] and the airfield on [[Duke of York Island, Papua New Guinea|Duke of York Island]] in the [[Bismarck Archipelago]].

During March, ''Sigourney'' and her destroyer division operated under the direction of the Commanding General, [[U.S. XVI Corps]], in support of forces on Bougainville. They provided counter-battery fire, bombarded enemy troops and installations ashore, and performed fire support as requested. ''Sigourney'' engaged in daily bombardments in the [[Jaba River]] and [[Motapena Point]] area and supported PT boat operations at night. On 12 March alone, ''Sigourney'' and [[USS Eaton (DD-510)|''Eaton'']] (DD-510) fired 400 rounds of call fire in support of the [[37th Infantry Division (United States)|37th Infantry Division]] perimeter.

In mid-March, ''Sigourney'' was called upon to support the [[Landing on Emirau|landing]] of the [[U.S. 4th Marine Regiment|4th Marine Regiment]] at [[Emirau]], [[St. Matthias Group]]. She then returned to bombard pill boxes and entrenchments east of the [[Torokina River]], Bougainville, until 12 April.

''Sigourney'' then made escort trips between [[Guadalcanal]], [[Cape Gloucester (Papua New Guinea)|Cape Gloucester]], [[Purvis Bay]], [[Majuro]], [[Eniwetok]] and [[Kwajalein]]. On 11 May, the destroyer sortied from Kwajalein with Task Group 51.18 (TG&nbsp;51.18), the Joint Expeditionary Force, Reserve, for the amphibious assault on [[Saipan]] and [[Tinian]] in the [[Mariana Islands]]. ''Sigourney'' arrived off Saipan, on 16 June, and participated in [[Battle of Saipan|operations there]] and [[Battle of Tinian|on Tinian]] until she withdrew from the operations area on 20 August. During her time on station, she bombarded beaches on both islands, supplied call-fire support for the forces ashore, and served as a [[picket ship]] and as an antisubmarine screen.

When ''Sigourney'' was released from the [[Mariana Islands campaign]], she sailed for Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands, arriving on 25 August. There, she was attached to [[Task Force 32|TF&nbsp;32]] which sortied on 8 September for the [[Palau Islands campaign|Palau Islands operation]]. From 15 to 30 September, the destroyer worked in conjunction with the [[aircraft carrier]]s which launched attacks in support of the amphibious assault on [[Peleliu]]. ''Sigourney'' was in [[Seeadler Harbor]], [[Admiralty Islands]], from 3 to 12 October. Then she got underway for [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]], [[Philippines]], with TG&nbsp;77.2, the Bombardment and Fire Support Group.

=== Philippines campaigns ===
On 19 October 1944, ''Sigourney'' shelled Red and White Beaches to cover [[underwater demolition team]]s reconnoitering the landing sites near [[Dulag, Leyte|Dulag]] and [[Tacloban]]. She and [[USS Cony (DD-508)|''Cony'']] (DD-508) remained in the area while the remainder of TG&nbsp;77.2 withdrew to the south to cover the approaches to [[Leyte Gulf]] through [[Surigao Strait]]. The two destroyers fired night harassing and interdiction fire on beaches, roads, and installations. On the 20th, they bombarded the beaches until H-hour and then provided call-fire support until the 24th when word was received from the Commander, [[US 7th Fleet|7th Fleet]], to prepare for a night engagement. ''Sigourney'', [[USS Aulick (DD-569)|''Aulick'']] (DD-569), and [[USS Welles (DD-628)|''Welles'']] (DD-628) were in the van as Attack Section 2 of DesDiv "X-Ray" which would screen the battle line consisting of six [[battleship]]s. In the screening position, they did not take part in the torpedo attacks on the Japanese fleet launched by other American destroyers. On 29 October, ''Sigourney'' withdrew from Leyte and returned to Seeadler Harbor, arriving on 3 November.

Nine days later, the destroyer was en route back to Leyte Gulf. She performed screening assignments and radar picket duties at the entrance to the gulf off [[Dinagat Island]] from 6 to 30 November. On the night of 1&ndash;2 December, DesDiv&nbsp;44 [[Battle of Ormoc Bay|made a sweep]] of the [[Camotes Sea]]. At 02:38 on 2 December, ''Sigourney'' and [[USS Conway (DD-507)|''Conway'']] (DD-507) opened fire on a Japanese freighter which sank six minutes later. The destroyers then steamed for the [[Palau Islands]] to join the covering force for the [[Battle of Mindoro|invasion of Mindoro]]. The task group of four battleships, four cruisers, six [[escort aircraft carrier|escort carrier]]s, and 18 destroyers sailed on the 10th. Three days later, the carriers began launching air attacks which continued until 17 December. During the time in the area, the task group was under constant enemy air attack.

''Sigourney'' next joined TG&nbsp;79.2 (Attack Group Baker) which was formed at [[Manus Island]] and sortied from there on 31 December 1944 en route to the Philippine Islands. On 9 January 1945, the task group landed elements of the [[U.S. 6th Army]] in the [[Invasion of Lingayen Gulf|Lingayen]] area of [[Luzon]] Island. On the 20th, ''Sigourney'' and [[USS Saufley (DD-465)|''Saufley'']] (DD-465) left to screen [[Australia]]n Transport Division 21 to [[Morotai]], [[N.E.I.]] The destroyer escorted convoys between Leyte and Lingayen Gulfs until 27 February when she sailed with Task Unit 78.2.12 (TU&nbsp;78.2.12) for [[Puerto Princesa]], [[Palawan]] Island, to support the landings there on the 28th by United States Army troops. Still conducting operations in the Philippine Islands during April, ''Sigourney'' operated with TG&nbsp;74.2 prior to, and during the army assault on the [[Malabang]], [[Parang, Maguindanao|Parang]], and [[Cotabato]] areas of Mindanao on 17 April. On 6 May, the destroyer sailed from the Philippine Islands for the United States via the [[Marshall Islands]] and Pearl Harbor.

''Sigourney'' arrived at [[San Pedro, California|San Pedro, Calif.]], on 31 May and entered the [[Bethlehem Steel]] Co. Shipyard for an overhaul, remaining there until 3 September. She moved to San Diego the next day and, a month later was underway, for [[New York City]] via the [[Panama Canal]], arriving there on 20 October. In October, the destroyer was ordered to [[Charleston Navy Yard|Charleston]], [[South Carolina|S.C.]], to prepare for inactivation. On 20 March 1946, she was placed out of commission, in reserve, with the [[Atlantic Reserve Fleet]].

== 1951 – 1960 ==

''Sigourney'' was placed in full commission again on 7 September 1951 at Charleston, S.C. She underwent shakedown training at [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]] in early 1952 and, in April, joined [[Destroyer Squadron 322|DesRon 322]]<!-- Presumably Des*Div* 322; of DesRon 32? --> with Norfolk as her home port. She conducted local operations from there until October when she entered the [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] for an overhaul which lasted until January 1953. She returned to Guantanamo Bay for refresher training until March, after which she operated out of her home port. On 29 June, ''Sigourney'' began a combined seven-month Far East tour and round-the-world cruise. While in [[Korea]]n waters, the destroyer was attached to TF&nbsp;77, the Fast Carrier Force, and TF&nbsp;95, the United Nations Blockading and Escort Force.

[[File:USS Sigourney (DD-681) in heavy weather 1957.jpg|thumb|''Sigourney'' refueling from {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CVA-42}} in the Med, 1957.]] 
On 10 December 1953, ''Sigourney'' began her goodwill cruise which took her to [[Hong Kong]], [[Singapore]], [[Naples]], [[Cannes]], [[Gibraltar]], and [[Lisbon]] before returning to Norfolk on 6 February 1954. In June, she took a [[Midshipman]] cruise to [[France]] and [[Spain]] before returning to her home port in August. The destroyer was overhauled from October 1954 until January 1955.

''Sigourney'' made a cruise to [[Europe]] with DesDiv&nbsp;322 in 1955, Midshipman cruises to Europe in 1956 and 1958, and was deployed with the [[U.S. 6th Fleet|6th Fleet]] in 1957. On 1 January 1959, her home port was changed to [[Philadelphia]], and she became part of the Reserve Training Fleet. On 1 May 1960, she was placed in reserve out of commission, with the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and berthed at Philadelphia.

''Sigourney'' was stricken 1 December 1974, sold 31 July 1975 and broken up for scrap.

== Awards ==
''Sigourney'' received nine [[battle star]]s for [[World War II]] service.

==In popular culture==
The ''Sigourney'' appeared in the movie ''[[Away All Boats]]'', accurately depicting the Fletcher destroyer class's anti-aircraft role in the Pacific Theater.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/sigourney-ii.html}}
{{Refend}}

== External links == 
* {{navsource|05/643|Sigourney}}
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd643txt.htm   hazegray.org: USS ''Sigourney'']

{{Fletcher class destroyer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sigourney (DD-643)}}
[[Category:World War II destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:Korean War destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bath, Maine]]
[[Category:1943 ships]]
[[Category:Fletcher-class destroyers of the United States Navy]]