Photographic History of the United States Navy
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NavSource Naval History Photographic History of the United States Navy |
DESTROYER ARCHIVE |
To Japan March 10 1959, renamed Ariake, | Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By |
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| 33k | Heywood Lane Edwards was born in San Saba, Texas, 9 November 1905 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1926. After serving in battleship Florida, cruiser Reno and other ships, he underwent submarine instruction in 1931, served in several submarines, and was assigned to cruiser Detroit in 1935. Lt. Comdr. Edwards assumed command of destroyer Reuben James 6 April 1940. His ship became the first in the U.S. Navy to be sunk in the Battle of the Atlantic when it was torpedoed by the German submarine U-552 commanded by Kapitainleutnant Erich Topp near Iceland while on convoy duty on 30-31 October 1941. Lt. Comdr. Edwards and 99 of his crew perished with the ship. Image from the USS Heywood L. Edwards WWII Cruise Book. | Bill Gonyo | |
| THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the THE UNITED STATES SHIP HEYWOOD L. EDWARDS for service as follows: "For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Saipan-Tinian operations, June 12 to August 2, 1944; Palau, September 6 to 29, 1944; the Battle of Surigao Strait, October 24–25, 1944; Iwo Jima, February 14 to March 9, 1945; and Okinawa, March 21 to April 18, 1945. Operating in the face of continued and persistent air attacks throughout five major campaigns, the U.S.S. HEYWOOD L. EDWARDS blasted Japanese shore emplacements, screened our attacking transports and effectively laid support barrages for amphibious assaults. On the night of 23–24 September, while on patrol duty, she detected a column of fourteen Japanese barges attempting to reinforce the Palau garrison and aided in destroying the whole group with its 650 enemy troops. During the Historic Battle of Surigao Strait, she gallantly led Section Three of Destroyer Squadron FIFTY-SIX in a coordinated night torpedo attack against the enemy’s Southern Force and rendered invaluable assistance in the utter defeat of these hostile units. In retiring, she made a thorough search of the Battle area and aided in sinking a crippled Japanese destroyer. At Iwo Jima she furnished continuous fire support for eleven days and during the Okinawa assault, spent 128 days on fire support and radar picket stations, conducting 350 bombardment missions. When several enemy aircraft attacked her fire support group, she scored direct hits on three of the planes and assisted in destroying a fourth, all within ninety seconds. Superbly handled by valiant officers and men, the HEYWOOD L. EDWARDS rendered distinctive service, sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service." All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. HEYWOOD L. EDWARDS during one or more of the above-mentioned periods are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon. /s/ John L. Sullivan Acting Secretary of the Navy | ||||
| 214k | Undated, after engine room throttle board. | Ed Zajkowski | |
| 147k | USS Heywood L. Edwards (DD-663) underway at sea during operations against enemy forces in the Pacific, circa 1944-1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #: NH 107196. | Fred Weiss/Robert Hurst | |
| 143k | USS Hughes coming alongside USS Heywood L. Edwards during operations off northern Japan just after the war. Taken by Chester Bradley, courtesy Markey Dubose. | John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder | |
| On Japanese Service |
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| 43k | Ariake (DD 183, ex-USS Heywood L. Edwards, DD-663) underway at high speed circa 1961, location unknown. Photo Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force Official. Photo from "Jane's Fighting Ships" 1961-62 edition. | Robert Hurst | |
| 81k | As the Japanese Ariake, April 7 1961 in Japanese waters. | Marc Piché | |
| 148k | Ariake running at speed, probably same time as above photo. From a Uraga Dock Co. booklet. | Dave Wright | |
| 81k | As Japanese Ariake, June 23 1961. | Marc Piché | |
| 33k | As Japanese Ariake, circa 1966. | Robert Hurst | |
| 92k | Ariake (DD-183, ex-USS Heywood L. Edwards) underway in 1970, location unknown. Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, Official. | Robert Hurst | |
CDR Joe Wood Boulware Jan 26 1944 - Dec 25 1944 (Later RADM) CDR Albert Lee Shepherd Dec 25 1944 - Jan 1946 CDR Ralph L. R. Johnson Jan 1946 - Jul 1 1946
The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.
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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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