USS Laffey DD724 in World War II

USS LAFFEY  (DD 724)

Launched November 21, 1943 Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Commissioned February 8, 1944
Decommission March 29, 1975
Now proudly afloat at Patriots Point, Charleston Harbor Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

"Probably no ship has ever survived an attack of the intensity that she experienced" Samuel Eliot Morison, Naval Historian 

Commendations and Battle Ribbons
 USS Laffey (DD 724)

Presidential Unit Citations awarded DD 724

USS Laffey (DD 724) 

Okinawa, Radar Picket Station #1

April 16, 1945

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP LAFFEY

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For extraordinary heroism in action as a Picket Ship on Radar Picket Station Number One during an attack by approximately thirty enemy Japanese planes, thirty miles northwest of the northern tip of Okinawa, April 16, 1945. Fighting her guns valiantly against waves of hostile suicide planes plunging toward her from all directions, the U.S.S. LAFFEY set up relentless barrages of antiaircraft fire during an extremely heavy and concentrated air attack. Repeatedly finding her targets, she shot down eight enemy planes clear of the ship and damaged six more before they crashed on board. Struck by two bombs, crash-dived by suicide planes and frequently strafed, she withstood the devastating blows unflinchingly and, despite severe damage and heavy casualties, continued to fight effectively until the last plane had been driven off. The courage, superb seamanship and indomitable determination of her officers and men enabled the LAFFEY to defeat the enemy against almost insurmountable odds, and her brilliant performance in this action, reflects the highest credit upon herself and the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,

/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

USS Laffey DD 724 in World War II

Historic Videos of USS Laffey

Online Videos of USS Laffey and World War II Pacific Battles

 Books on the USS Laffey DD 724

USS Laffey ( Destroyer -724 ) (Tin Can Sailors, Volume 1)  Softcover by Sumrall, Robert F. ISBN: 9780970772206  This publication is devoted to the USS Laffey (DD-724) an ALLEN M SUMNER CLASS DESTROYER, and covers its technical and operational history.

The Indestructible USS Laffey by Slavomir Vodehnal This is a 97 page 17 X 11" book of USS Laffey DD724 newspaper articles, photos, and illustrations. https://www.laffey.org/Articles/TheIndestructibleUSSLaffey.pdf

WWII Battle Illustrations USS Laffey DD459 and USS Laffey DD724 from True Comics - Name to Remember Winter 1945, Vol. 5, No. 46, 48 pages.   These illustrations show the battle history of two destroyers named Laffey, e.g. USS Laffey DD459 and USS Laffey DD 724.    https://www.laffey.org/Articles/WWIIBattleIllustrations.pdf

Frederick Julius Becton Commanding Officer 16 April 1945

Frank Mason, 'Captain, we're in pretty bad shape aft. Do you think you'll have to abandon ship?'  No, Frank, I'll never abandon ship as long as a gun will fire."

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