USS Knapp facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Namesake | Harry Shepard Knapp |
| Builder | Bath Iron Works |
| Laid down | 8 March 1943 |
| Launched | 10 July 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 September 1943 |
| Decommissioned | 4 March 1957 |
| Stricken | 6 March 1972 |
| Fate | Scrapped, 27 August 1973, but bridge restored and on display at Columbia River Maritime Museum |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Fletcher-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 2,050 tons |
| Length | 376 ft 6 in (114.7 m) |
| Beam | 39 ft 8 in (12.1 m) |
| Draft | 17 ft 9 in (5.4 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
| Range | 6500 nm at 15 kn (12,000 km at 28 km/h) |
| Complement | 319 |
| Armament |
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The USS Knapp (DD-653) was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the United States Navy. It was the only U.S. Navy ship named after Harry Shepard Knapp. He was a Vice Admiral and even a Military Governor of Santo Domingo. The ship's construction began on March 8, 1943, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. It was launched on July 10, 1943, and officially joined the Navy on September 16, 1943.
Service History: The Knapp in Action
World War II: Fighting in the Pacific
After its first test trip, called a shakedown cruise, near Bermuda, the Knapp left Boston on November 26, 1943. It sailed to the Pacific Ocean and arrived at Pearl Harbor on December 21.
Early Missions in 1944
On January 16, 1944, the Knapp left Pearl Harbor. It joined Task Force 58, a group of aircraft carriers led by Admiral Marc Mitscher. Their mission was to invade the Marshall Islands. The Knapp stayed at sea from January 16 to February 12, also firing its guns at Kwajalein.
The ship continued to protect the carriers as they launched air attacks. These attacks targeted Truk in February and bases in the Mariana Islands. Later, the Knapp sailed to Espiritu Santo. It protected carriers that supported the capture of Emirau Island in March. The carriers also raided the Palau Islands, Yap, and Woleai.
The Knapp returned to Majuro on April 6, 1944. A week later, it sailed with larger ships for the Hollandia landings. It also supported air raids on Truk, Satawan, and Ponape.
Major Battles and Raids
After getting supplies in Majuro in May, the Knapp protected carriers during attacks on Saipan. On June 19, the Knapp guarded its group during the huge air Battle of the Philippine Sea. In this battle, Japan's air power was greatly weakened.
From July 25 to August 5, the ship continued protecting during raids. These raids hit Palau, Ulithi, Yap, Iwo Jima, and Chichi Jima. During these missions, the Knapp helped sink several Japanese ships. These ships had been attacked earlier by carrier planes. The Knapp then had repairs at Eniwetok from August 11 to August 30.
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Supporting Invasions and Protecting Ships
The Knapp left Eniwetok on August 30 for the invasion of the Palau Islands. It protected five battleships. Later, it met up with Langley, Lexington, Essex, and Princeton. These carriers then launched attacks on targets in the Palaus during actions at Peleliu.
In September, the Knapp protected large ships attacking the Philippine Islands. On October 6, it sailed from Ulithi for air attacks on Okinawa and Formosa. These attacks prepared for the Leyte landings. The Knapp also provided anti-aircraft defense during the Formosa air battle. This battle took place from October 12 to 14.
After guarding the Canberra, which was hit by a torpedo, the Knapp rejoined its group. They launched air attacks on Luzon. The ship also protected during the Battle of Surigao Strait. This was a part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf. It returned to Ulithi on October 30. Two days later, it headed back to the Philippines.
When Reno was damaged by torpedoes on November 3, the Knapp guarded its retreat. From November 1944 to January 1945, the Knapp protected air attacks. These attacks hit Luzon, French Indochina, and cities on the China coast. This helped prepare for the Lingayen invasion. The Knapp escorted Ticonderoga, which was damaged by air and kamikaze attacks. It arrived in Ulithi on January 24, 1945, with the damaged carrier. The destroyer then sailed to the West Coast for repairs.
End of the War and Occupation Duty
The Knapp sailed back to the Western Pacific on April 23. It arrived off Okinawa on May 27, 1945. It served as a radar picket ship until June 26. This meant it was positioned to detect enemy aircraft early. Three days later, it joined Task Force 39 for the final attacks on the Japanese home islands.
After the fighting ended on August 15, the Knapp arrived in Sagami Wan, Honshū, on August 27. It sailed into Tokyo Bay on September 1 for the surrender ceremonies. These ceremonies took place aboard Missouri on September 2. During the early days of the occupation, the Knapp helped remove weapons from Japanese midget submarine and motorboat bases.
The ship sailed for the United States on December 5. It arrived at San Diego on December 21, 1945. The Knapp then went through the Panama Canal to Boston. It arrived on January 17, 1946. It was then moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and was taken out of service on July 5, 1946.
Cold War: Rejoining the Fleet
The Knapp was brought back into service on May 3, 1951. This happened because the Korean War had started, and more naval ships were needed. It served in the Atlantic Fleet, operating from Newport, Rhode Island.
Global Travels and Patrols
The ship cruised in the Caribbean Sea from July 20 to September 13. It then went to Charleston for modern equipment upgrades. On February 4, 1952, it sailed with a task force to England, Norway, and Germany. It also made a trip to the Mediterranean Sea on November 22. During this trip, it visited ports in Italy, Turkey, and Spain.
The Knapp passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on January 26, 1953. It then had repairs in Boston until August 10, 1953. After that, it began a world cruise with Destroyer Division 182. Its cruise was delayed when it reached the Far East. It patrolled the Korean coast until January 14, 1954. Then, it continued its cruise, visiting places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo, Aden, Saudi Arabia, and the Suez Canal. It also visited Port Said, Naples, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Bermuda. It finally arrived in Fall River, Massachusetts, on March 10, 1954.
The Knapp sailed from Newport to San Diego, arriving on December 15. On January 4, 1955, it headed to the Western Pacific. It patrolled the East China Sea and the Formosa Straits until June. It returned to San Diego on June 19, 1955. After working along the California coast, it went back to the Far East on January 27, 1956. It visited ports like Kobe, Subic Bay, and Buckner Bay. It also patrolled the Formosa Straits before returning to San Diego on May 31, 1956. It operated along the California coast and then went to Long Beach Naval Shipyard for repairs. The Knapp was taken out of service again on March 4, 1957. It was then placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
A Piece of History Remains
The bridge (the control room) of the Knapp is now on display. You can see it at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon.
Honors and Recognition
The Knapp earned eight battle stars for its service during World War II. These stars recognize its participation in important battles and campaigns.
