USS Fletcher DD-445 in World War Two

A short photo montage from commissioning to Guadalcanal to the retaking of Corregidor and the Philippines. The USS Fletcher DD-445 was the first of the Fletcher Class destroyers, the most famous class of destroyers in world naval history. She served from 1942 to 1945, then again from 1949 to 1969. This video clip briefly covers her WWII years.

Music: "Beneath the Southern Cross" by Rodgers & Hammerstein from the 1952 NBC-TV special, "Victory at Sea".

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• USS
• Fletcher
• DD-445
• destroyer
• Pacific
• WWII
• World
• War
• Two
• navy
• fighting
• ship
• class
• tin
• can
• warship

[CaesarInVa]

Great video! Thanks for compiling it. I always loved the Victory At Sea theme (which you used here on your video) and, thanks to you, I now know the name of that composition (Under The Southern Cross). Now here's the funny thing, when I was in the Navy, for some reason I adopted the Southern Cross as my constellation of good fortune, or "lucky stars". I always said that if I could see the Cross, then all would be well. I haven't seen those stars in 30 years now...

[randy946]

@CaesarInVa Thanks for your comments. In WWII Fletcher was part of Destroyer Squadron 21 which to this day is the only DesRon in the Navy with a logo that reflects the Southern Hemisphere. Google it on Google Images and you'll see that it includes the Southern Cross! In 1967 I got to see the SC on Fletcher during a trip to Brisbane, Australia, however at that time Fletcher was part of DesRon 25 based in Pearl Harbor which is where she was homeported from 1949 to 1969.

[JPWilch]

I served in Vietnam with 1st Cavalry (Army) but when I saw some pictures of the "Fletch" I fell in love with her. Since that time every time I see a model of her I grab it up.

Must have been a "Tincanner" in a previous life. You no what they say: "Once a Tincanner always a Tincanner."

I use to play Micro-nauts and every time I played I grab up all the Fletchers. When I did the other guys would laugh at me until the first engagement. Then they wanted me and my ships.

[randy946]

@JPWilch A tip of the hat to you sir. I served on Fletcher during the Vietnam War and we had it easy compared to what you guys in the bush had to endure. You have my utmost respect and have earned a hearty Thank You for your service.

You're right about the "tincanner" thing. If I had to go back to sea I'd prefer to do so on a tin can versus any other type of ship. They and the sea get in your blood.

[DarwinsFriend]

That shot @1:20 is so beautiful - what a brave and scrappy little ship.

[randy946]

@DarwinsFriend Indeed she was. The shot you refer to was taken on a sea trials near New York shortly after commissioning.

[DarwinsFriend]

@randy946 Simply outstanding.

[karuza82]

@biukucanoe and the Roberts too. Just one of the Japanese Cruisers far,far out gunned the brave little tin cans.

[phyliscd]

what a wonderfull tribute to these destroyers ,when i was in vietnam on board the uss yorktown we had two of these ships as our escorts and they were great to see when they came along side during refulling .and the music was great also,

[rickguatzjr]

..i want to see all of these great ship...they were heroes and legends..