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USS NEWCOMB (DD-586)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NATL

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; Allis Chalmers Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Boston Navy Yard. March 19 1943.
Launched July 1 1943 and commissioned November 10 1943.
Heavily damaged by 5 Japanese Kamikaze Aircraft April 6 1945 off Okinawa.
Decommissioned November 20 1945.
Stricken March 28 1946
Fate Scrapped at Mare Island October 1 1947.
43 of her crew were lost and remain on duty.

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Newcomb 69kFrank H. Newcomb, born 10 November 1842 in Massachusetts, served in the Navy as Acting Master’s Mate during the Civil War, then entered the Revenue Cutter Service. Commanding cutter Hudson on blockade off Cuba in the Spanish-American War, he engaged Spanish gunboats in the harbor at Cardenas 11 May 1898 and towed Wilmington to safety after her steering gear had been shot away. Newcomb subsequently served in the Coast Guard, successor to the Revenue Cutter Service, rising to Commodore. He died 19 February 1934.Bill Gonyo
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP NEWCOMB

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Saipan-Tinian operations, May 29 to August 5, 1944; Palau, September 6 to October 1, 1944; the Battle of Surigao Strait, October 24–25, 1944; Iwo Jima, February 10 to March 10, 1945; and Okinawa, March 21 to April 7, 1945. Operating in the face of continued and persistent air attacks throughout five major campaigns, the U.S.S. NEWCOMB blasted Japanese shore emplacements, screened our attacking transports and effectively laid support barrages for amphibious assaults. As the Leader of Destroyer Squadron FIFTY SIX in the historic Battle of Surigao Strait, she spearheaded a three-section night torpedo attack, boldly closing the battleship YAMASHIRO‘s terrific broadsides to aid in sinking the powerful man-o’-war with accurate torpedo salvos. In retiring, she went alongside the stricken A. W. GRANT to evacuate casualties and take the disabled ship in tow. At Iwo Jima, the NEWCOMB covered our minesweepers in the pre-attack sweep of the landing beaches and scored a probable kill on her second submarine. Culminating her brilliant combat service in a furious engagement with seven enemy suicide planes determined to destroy her, the NEWCOMB, staggering from the first suicide crash and slowed by loss of steam, shot down a second plane and was immediately smashed amidships by a third. With top-hamper and machinery spaces blown into a tangled mass of rubble, with smoke and flames billowing 1000 feet above her and the bridge the only structure intact above the water line, she fought on relentlessly with her remaining guns in manual control to blast three more attackers into the sea an damage the last Kamikaze. Superbly handled by valiant officers and men, the NEWCOMB has added new luster to the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. NEWCOMB in one or more of the above mentioned periods are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
Newcomb 82kArtist's conception of the Newcomb as she appeared after original construction 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
Newcomb 33kUndated, location unknown.Nate Cook Crewmember 43-45 (USN-Ret).
Newcomb 60kAfter being hit by 5 Kamikaze Aircraft April 6 1945.Nate Cook Crewmember 43-45 (USN-Ret)
Newcomb 168kTekesta (ATF-93) alongside the badly damaged destroyer Newcomb (DD-586) at Kerama Retto. Newcomb was towed to Kerama Retto by Tekesta after being hit five times by Japanese Kamikaze suicide aircraft while screening minesweepers off Ie Shima, 6 April 1945.Steve Becker for his father Duane O. Becker EN1 USS Tekesta
Newcomb 134kTekesta (ATF-93) alongside Newcomb (DD-586) at Kerama Retto, 6 April 1945.Steve Becker for his father Duane O. Becker EN1 USS Tekesta
Newcomb 78kPhoto of damage to Newcomb (DD 586). US Navy photo.Joe Radigan
Newcomb 142kUSS Newcomb DD 586 was attacked by a kamikaze on 6 April 1945 as she was screening for the cruiser USS St. Louis off Okinawa.Gerd Matthes
Newcomb 90kLooking aft along starboard side showing T stiffeners on shell and deck plating along, with outline of replacement deck plating on USS Newcomb (DD-586) anchored at Kerama Retto on 6 April 1945. Source: Structural Repairs in Forward Areas During World War II, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, December, 1949, Photo No. 54.Mike Green
Newcomb 134kClose up view looking forward along port side at T stiffeners installed on shell and deck plating on USS Newcomb (DD-586) anchored at Kerama Retto on 6 April 1945. Source: Structural Repairs in Forward Areas During World War II, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, December, 1949, Photo No. 55.Mike Green
Newcomb 90kLooking from stern at forward end of replacement main deck plating on USS Newcomb (DD-586) anchored at Kerama Retto on 6 April 1945. Source: Structural Repairs in Forward Areas During World War II, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, December, 1949, Photo No. 53.Mike Green

USS NEWCOMB DD-586 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

CDR Lawrence Blanchard Cook    Nov 10 1943 - 20 Nov 1944
CDR Ira Ellis McMillian    Nov 20 1944 - Sep 30 1945 (Later RADM)
LTJG A. L. Walker    Sep 30 1945 - Nov 20 1945

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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