Lamson Mahan-class destroyer

lamson on fire @ ormoc bay, philippine islands, december 1944

uss lamson shipped out of norfolk, virginia, in june 1937 san diego, california, less year after naval service began. engaged in exercises , tactical training until sailing pearl harbor in october 1939. next 2 years, lamson continued training base in hawaii. following attack on pearl harbor, joined post-attack efforts search japanese strike force. in february 1942 became part of newly formed anzac squadron, consisting of australian, new zealand, , american warships in suva, fiji islands. in march, operated squadron cover group southeast of papua new guinea. in late november 1942, lamson assigned task force 67 , took part in battle of tassafaronga.

for next 8 months, lamson screened convoys en route guadalcanal. august 1943, had moved on milne bay, new guinea, , participated in september amphibious landings @ lae , finschhafen. in december, ship engaged in pre-invasion bombardment of arawe , landings @ cape gloucester, new britain. after overhaul , training @ pearl harbor, lamson joined 7th fleet in october 1944. in december 1944, took part in amphibious landing @ ormoc bay, leyte, philippine islands. there struck kamikaze set fire ship, killing 21 men , injuring 50. fires extinguished rescue tug , lamson saved. after extensive repairs in puget sound naval shipyard, returned pacific , operated off iwo jima, sailed united states in november 1945. in may 1946, participated in able nuclear test of operation crossroads; sunk in baker test in july 1946. lamson received 5 battle stars world war ii service.