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USS FITCH (DD-462 / DMS-25)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NIZK

CLASS - GLEAVES As Built.
Displacement 2395 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 348' 4"(oa) x 36' 1" x 13' 2" (Max)
Armament 4 x 5"/38AA, 6 x 0.5" MG, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 50,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 12 Knots, Crew 208.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Boston Navy Yard January 6 1941.
Launched June 14 1941 and commissioned February 3 1942.
Converted to High Speed Minesweeper DMS-25 November 15 1944.
Decommissioned February 24 1956.
Stricken July 1 1971.
Fate Sunk as target off the East coast of Florida November 15 1973.

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Namesake
Fitch 49kLeRoy Fitch, born 1 October 1835 in Logansport, Ind., was a member of the Naval Academy class of 1856, and served with great distinction in the Civil War and afterward. Commanding Moose in the Mississippi Squadron, he pursued General J. H. Morgan, CSA, the famed raider, for 500 miles up the Ohio River, frustrating Morgan's attempts to cross the river and retire to Confederate territory. Commander Fitch died in Logansport, Ind., 13 April 1875.Robert M. Cieri/Bill Gonyo
USS Fitch (DD-462)
Fitch 48kUndated, location unknown.Steve Lindsay, nephew of USS Fitch signalman, Charles Lindsay
Fitch 177kUndated, location unknown.Tom Kerman
Fitch 128kMrs. H. Walter Thomas christens USS Fitch (DD-462), 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1224-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11126)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 102kCommemorative cachet issued for dual launching of USS Forrest (DD-461) and USS Fitch (DD-462), 14 June 1941. (Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11150)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 87kLaunch of USS Fitch (DD-462) from Shipways 2 of the Boston Navy Yard, 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1215-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11126)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 79kUSS Fitch (DD-462) is seen in Boston Harbor immediately after launching, 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1216-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11126)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 84kStern view of USS Forrest (DD-461) and USS Fitch (DD-462) in Dry Dock 2 of the Boston Navy Yard immediately after launching, 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1219-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11126)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 98kBow view of USS Fitch (DD-462) [left] and USS Forrest (DD-461) [right] awaiting launch on Shipways 2 of the Boston Navy Yard, 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1230-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11148)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 177kStern view of USS Forrest (DD-461) [left] and USS Fitch (DD-462) [right] awaiting launch on Shipways 2 of the Boston Navy Yard, 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1230-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11148)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 70kBow view of USS Fitch (DD-462) [left] and USS Forrest (DD-461) in Dry Dock 2 of the Boston Navy Yard immediately after launching, 14 June 1941. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1243-41, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11148)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 68kUSS Fitch (DD-462) under construction at the Boston Navy Yard, 3 January 1942. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 116-42, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11125)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 102kUSS Fitch (DD-462) in Boston Harbor, 2 April 1943. (Boston Navy Yard photograph 1478-43, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11125)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Fitch 223kShip's Officers on October 22 1943. Mike's dad, Lloyd D. (Dave) Loggins, is in the top row, first on the left. Second from the right on the top row is LTJG Charles Robert Guthrie grandfather of Charles Guthrie Ethridge.Michael D. Loggins
Fitch 231kMarch 23 1944, location unknown.Michael D. Loggins
Fitch 120kFitch alongside USS Des Moines (CA-134) in 1950.Ed Zajkowski

USS FITCH DD-462 / DMS-25 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 Henry Crommelin    Feb 3 1942 - Nov 28 1942 (Later VADM )

CDR Kinloch Chafee Walpole    Nov 28 1942 - Nov 10 1944

As DMS-25

LCDR Ennis Walter Taylor    Nov 10 1944 - Jun 1 1945

LCDR Robert Hall Thomas    Jun 1 1945 - Jan 1 1946

CDR Russell Henry Buckley    Jul 1949 - Jul 15 1950

CDR Gustave Albert Wolf    Jul 15 1950 - Aug 18 1951

CDR Burdick Heinkel Brittin    Aug 18 1951 - Nov 24 1952

LCXDR William Edward Underwood    Nov 24 1952 - ?

LCDR Melvin James Carpenter    1955 - Feb 24 1956


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
NavSource Minesweeper Pages, USS Fitch (DMS-25)
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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