Name USS Martin Commissioned 4 September 1943 Struck 5 December 1945 Launched 18 May 1943 | Laid down 26 November 1942 Decommissioned 19 November 1945 Construction started 26 November 1942 | |
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Fate Sold for scrapping, 15 May 1946 | ||
USS Martin (DE-30) was an Evarts-class destroyer escort constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. It was promptly sent off into the Pacific Ocean to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese submarines and fighter aircraft.
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Originally intended for lend-lease to Great Britain, the USS Martin (DE-30) was laid down as BDE-30 by Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, on 26 November 1942; launched on 18 May 1943; redesignated DE-30, on 16 June 1943; renamed Martin on 23 June 1943; and commissioned on 4 September 1943; Lt. Paul E. Warfield, USNR, in command.
World War II Pacific Theatre operations
Assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Martin escorted Idaho (BB-42) to San Diego, California, on 29 September to 2 October. After shakedown off San Diego, the escort ship got underway in convoy for Pearl Harbor on 11 November, arriving the 21st for service with TF 16. On 3 December, in company with Trathen (DD-530) and SS Mormacport, she steamed for the Ellice / Gilbert Islands area, returning to Pearl Harbor the 31st.
On 9 January 1944 Martin sailed with TG 58.4 for escort service during the initial Marshall operations, on 11 January into late February. From arrival at Tulagi on 18 March until 1 October she operated as a merchant ship escort in the Solomons.
During October the ship joined TG 30.8 to escort fueling units during the strikes on Formosa; Luzon, Philippines; and Okinawa, Ryūkyūs, beginning on 10 October. From November to February 1945 she patrolled the western Carolines and Marianas. On 10 December 1944 Martin screened LSTs landing troops and supplies on Leyte for the mop-up operations following the landings in October and the ensuing Battle for Leyte Gulf. She operated out of Eniwetok from February 1945 on, escorting convoys to Kwajalein and Guam, Marshalls, and Ulithi, Carolines.
On 5 July Martin departed Kwajalein for the west coast, via Pearl Harbor, arriving at San Francisco, California, on 19 July.
End-of-War Decommissioning
On 19 November she decommissioned at Mare Island Navy Yard and was struck from the Navy List on 5 December. Martin was sold to Wilmington Transportation Co., Wilmington, California, on 15 May, and delivered on 3 June 1946 to be scrapped.