{"id":1036,"date":"2016-01-22T11:07:40","date_gmt":"2016-01-22T11:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mcclellandmedia.com\/blog\/?page_id=1036"},"modified":"2023-10-07T21:52:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T20:52:35","slug":"the-uss-mcclelland-de750","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mcclellandmedia.com\/blog\/other-pages\/the-uss-mcclelland-de750\/","title":{"rendered":"The USS McClelland, DE750"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is one of my old pages, brought up to date within WordPress<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/b>In creating my web site, especially pages relating to the family name McClelland, I have met many interesting people.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of these is\u00a0Charles McClelland<\/a>, who told me about the United States Ship that shares our name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much of the material here is provided by Charles and I thank him for letting me share this information with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

I know nothing<\/strong> about the navy or ships, so please don’t ask me any technical questions, all I know is on this page.<\/strong> Please try the other links on this page if you need to know more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave<\/span><\/div>\n
\"Charles
\n<\/b>Charles W. “Big Mac” McClelland on Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
\nUSS Missouri in background. Dec. 4th., 2001<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nThe history of the McCLELLAND.
\n<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

Thomas Alfred McClelland, born 18 March 1905 at Kansas City, Missouri, enlisted in the U.S. Navy as apprentice seaman 12 September 1924 and received an honorable discharge 11 September 1928. On 7 October 1940, he was appointed ensign, USNR. On 6 April 1941, having completed a special course in communications, he reported aboard USS West Virgina. Ensign McClelland reported dead after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.<\/span><\/p>\n

(DE-750: dp 1,240: L 306′; b. 36′ 8″; dr. 8′ 9″; s. 21 k.; cpl.186; a. 3 3′, 2 40mm, 1o 20mm., 8 21″ tt., 2 dec., 8 dep., (hh.) ; cl. Cannon.)<\/p>\n

McClelland (DE-750) was laid down 21 July 1943 by Western Pipe & Steel Co., San\u00a0Padro, Calif., launched 28 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. T.A. McClelland, widow of Ensign McClelland; and commissioned 19 September 1944, Lt. Comdr. Glendon D. Williams in command.<\/p>\n

McClelland departed the west coast for Pearl Harbor 11 December 1944. There, until 24 January 1945s she received further training in antisubmarine and anti-aircraft warfare in preparation for the assault on the Volcano Islands. By the end of January she was screen for TG 51.5 bound for Iwo Jima. She arrived off the island 20 February, the day after the initial landings. On the 21st. TG 51.5 was attacked by three suicide planes; two scored hits on ships of the main body while the third splashed. The next day , the combined fire of the group destroyed four more enemy aircraft as they went into their attack dive. Following this action, McClelland assumed antisubmarine duties and HUK activities to the north and west of the island.<\/p>\n

On 28 February, the destroyer-escort steamed to Espiritu Santo to prepare for the Okinawa offensive. She arrived off Okinawa 9 April, remaining until 8 June. During the long bitter campaign she took part in the capture of Isuken Shima; performed escort services among the Ryukyus, and helped to maintain antiair and antisubmarine screen. While she was patrolling on the latter duty, 1 June, a kamikaze pilot dived from astern. McClelland’s gunfire and fast maneuvering caused the airplane to splash when 25 yards off her starboard beam.<\/p>\n

On 8 June, McClelland steamed to Saipan. On 4 July she joined the 3d\u00a0Fleet’s logistics task group east of Japan. She screened that group, TG 30.8 as they provisioned units of TF 38, then striking the Japanese homeland. On 21 july she departed the area, escorting Presidio (APA-88) to Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Leyte. The two ships rejoined TG 30.8 21 August, and after the signing of the official surrender document, sailed for Ulithi.<\/p>\n

McClelland arrived in Japanese waters 27 September, remaining in Tokyo until 12 October when she sailed for the United States. She arrived Norfolk 2 December, and 5 January 1946 departed for Green Cove Springs, Florida. There she decommissioned 15 May and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.<\/p>\n

The following September, McClelland was placed in service and assigned to the 7th Naval District as a Reserve training vessel, operating out of Jacksonville, Fla. After the disestablishment of the district, she continued her training duties in the same area under the authority of the Commander, 6th Naval District. On 14 July 1950 the ship was placed in commission, in reserve, at Charlleston, S.C. She conducted weekend and summer cruise programs for naval reservists of the 6th Naval District until 1959. Her summer cruises during this time took her as far north as St. John’s, Newfoundland; as far south as Barranquilla, Columbia; and as far east as Cadiz, Spain.<\/p>\n

In 1959 she was transferred to Philadelphia and at the end of the year began deactivation for the second time. On 12 September 1960, she decommissioned and and entered the Atlantic Inactive Fleet. Into 1969* she remains berthed at Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

McClelland received three battle stars for WW II sevice.<\/p>\n

* Later sold for scrap.
\nDE-750 USS McClelland
\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n