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USS FRANKS (DD-554)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NULS

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign (circa 1945) - GIMLET

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 10 x 40mm, 7 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; General Electric Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding. March 8 1942.
Launched December 7 1942 and commissioned July 30 1943.
Decommissioned May 31 1946.
Stricken December 1 1972.
Fate Sold for scrapping August 1 1973.
Click On Image
For Full Size Image		 Size Image Description Contributed
By
Franks 102kArtist's conception of the Franks as she appeared in late World War II by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Franks 47kUndated, location unknown.ENS Douglas H. Fay, USS Franks
Franks 153kUndated, location unknown. NA 80G278651.John Chiquoine
Franks 159kUndated, location unknown. NA 80G470279.John Chiquoine
Franks 179kJuly 1 1943, Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding.Ed Zajkowski
Franks 131kPhoto #: 80-G-354884, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) with six destroyers alongside, probably at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in July 1945. The destroyers are (from left to right): USS Hawkins (DD-873); USS Ordronaux (DD-617); USS Boyle (DD-600); USS Champlin (DD-601); USS Swanson (DD-443); and USS Franks (DD-554). Note the personnel boat in the foreground, heading for a landing stage alongside Black Hawk's bow. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Tony Cowart
Franks 122kUSS Black Hawk (AD-9) with six destroyers alongside, probably at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in July 1945. The destroyers are (from left to right): USS Hawkins (DD-873); USS Ordronaux (DD-617); USS Boyle (DD-600); USS Champlin (DD-601); USS Swanson (DD-443); and USS Franks (DD-554). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Tony Cowart
Franks 46kThe Franks commanders during World War II.Mike Bak, Jr.
USS FRANKS DD-554 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves

LCDR Nicholas Adair Lidstone    Jul 30 1943 - Jun 30 1944 (Later RADM)
CDR David Richard Stephan    Jun 30 1944 - Apr 2 1945 (KIA)
LT Gerald Frederick Case    Apr 2 1945 - Apr 22 1945 (Acting)
LCDR Eugene Baker Henry Jr.    Apr 22 1945 - May 31 1946
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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