Name USS Pennewill Commissioned 15 September 1943 Struck 20 July 1953 Launched 8 August 1943 | Laid down 26 April 1943 Decommissioned 1 August 1944 Construction started 26 April 1943 Length 93 m | |
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Namesake William Ellison Pennewill Builder Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company | ||
USS Pennewill (DE-175) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. Pennewill was named in honor of William Ellison Pennewill who had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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The ship was laid down on 26 April 1943 by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newark, New Jersey; launched on 8 August 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Lucie Reilly Pennewill; and commissioned on 15 September 1943, Lt. John Edward Allen, USNR, in command.
World War II Central and South Atlantic operations
After shakedown, Pennewill steamed to Trinidad, British West Indies, for convoy escort duty. On 20 November 1943, she departed Trinidad as part of the escort for Convoy TJ–15, arriving Recife, Brazil, on 5 December.
Pennewill was engaged in operations with Task Group 42.2 from December 1943 to April 1944, escorting convoys from Trinidad to Recife, Brazil, and return. She also completed several special missions. From 25 to 27 December 1943 she escorted U.S. Army transport USAT State of Maryland from Trinidad to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From 21 to 22 January 1944, she was escort for British tanker SS Destiny out of Recife to rendezvous with Task Group 41.4.
Pennewill arrived at Bahia, Brazil on 26 April. During the following months she operated with Memphis (CL-13), conducting patrol and escort duty off the coast of Brazil and engaged in training operations in the Bahia-Recife area.
Post-War Decommissioning
On 28 July, she sailed from Recife to Natal, Brazil, where she decommissioned and was leased to the Government of Brazil on 1 August 1944. She was transferred to Brazil on 30 June 1953 and was struck from the Navy List on 20 July 1953. Her Brazilian name was Bertioga (BE–1). She was scrapped in 1964.