USN DESTROYER SQUADRON (DesRon)23

From the Washington Naval Treaty to the end of the Second World War.
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aurora
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USN DESTROYER SQUADRON (DesRon)23

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“Coordinated as a superb fighting team,” Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 23, the “Little Beavers,” was the one US Navy destroyer squadron of World War II awarded a group Presidential Unit Citation—for its record under Capt. Arleigh “31-knot” Burke over a 17-week period at the close of the Solomon Islands campaign.
Destroyer Squadron 23
November 1943

Destroyer Division 45
USS Charles Ausburne, DD 570, flag
USS Claxton, DD 571
USS Dyson, DD 572
USS Stanly, DD 478

Destroyer Division 46
USS Converse, DD 509
USS Foote, DD 511
USS Spence, DD 512
USS Thatcher, DD 514

As the third squadron of 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers planned, it was intended that DesRon 23 consist of nine ships commissioned mid-October 1942 through mid-February 1943:
Stanly (DD 478), commissioned from Charleston Navy Yard and initially fitted with a floatplane catapult;
Aulick (DD 569), Charles Ausburne (DD 570), Claxton (DD 571) and Dyson (DD 572) from Consolidated Steel, Orange, Texas; and
Converse (DD 509), Foote (DD 511), Spence (DD 512) and Thatcher (DD 514) from Bath Iron Works.

Aulick and Converse were first to arrive in the South Pacific, where they were at first attached to DesRon 22. On 10 March 1943, Aulick ran aground in poorly-charted waters off Nouméa and returned to the West Coast for extensive repairs.
The squadron was activated at Boston 11 May under the command of Captain M. J. Gillan with Foote, Spence and Charles Ausburne present. Transiting the Panama Canal, these ships joined with the others in Adm. Halsey’s Third Fleet at Nouméa, 29 June, where they commenced patrol and escort duty.

DesRon 23 World War II operations

On 23 October, Capt. Gillan was relieved by Capt. Burke, whose experience in the Solomon Islands (as division commander in DesRon 22 and, briefly, commodore of DesRon 12) and insight (from studying the Battle of Tassafaronga in particular) had led to development of a doctrine of independent destroyer operations first applied by Cmdr. Frederick Moosbrugger at the Battle of Vella Gulf.

Operating off Bougainville with Task Force 39 (Cruiser Division 12—Montpelier, Cleveland, Columbia and Denver—under Rear Admiral A. S. “Tip” Merrill, in action in the Solomon Islands since the Guadalcanal campaign), the eight ships of the squadron—now known as the “Little Beavers”—themselves put Burke’s doctrine to practice in battle off Bougainville’s Empress Augusta Bay, 1 November. There, Foote was torpedoed and had to be towed home, while Thatcher sideswiped Spence and also had to return to the West Coast for repairs.

A few weeks later at Thanksgiving, in the waters between Bougainville and New Ireland’s Cape St. George, Ausburne, Claxton, Dyson, Converse and Spence routed five Japanese destroyers, sinking three and damaging a fourth in an “almost perfect surface action.”

Through 23 February 1944, the "Little Beavers" continued operations, prominently at Green Island, Rabaul and Kavieng plus Truk in the Caroline Islands, credited with sinking one cruiser, nine destroyers, one submarine and several smaller ships, and destroying approximately 30 aircraft as well as inflicting much damage via shore bombardment. Claxton was hit by return fire off Bougainville during one such mission, 4 February, and made her way back to the West Coast, where her stern was replaced.
Quo Fata Vocant-Whither the Fates call

Jim
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aurora
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Re: USN DESTROYER SQUADRON (DesRon)23

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For his service with DesRon23-Captain A Burke USN was awarded the following decorations :
Navy Cross
Citation:

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service...as the commander of a destroyer squadron operating in the Northern Solomon Islands area during the period from midnight October 30 to noon November 2, 1943. (His) squadron, as a part of a task force, participated in the first bombardment of the Buka-Bonis area and in the first daylight bombardment of the Shortland area ... During the night of November 1–2, a heavier gunned Japanese naval force was met and decisively defeated with the loss to the enemy of one cruiser and four destroyers sunk, and an additional two cruisers and two destroyers damaged. The action contributed much to the success of our operations at Empress Augusta Bay. Thereafter, a heavy air attack by sixty-seven enemy dive bombers was fought off with a total of seventeen enemy planes being destroyed ..."

Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Citation:

"For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of a Destroyer Division and subsequently a Destroyer Squadron operating against enemy Japanese forces in the South Pacific Area from early February to 1 December 1943. Throughout this period, Captain Burke led his forces in many offensive operations... His indomitable fighting spirit and great personal courage contributed directly to the success of our forces in that area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Quo Fata Vocant-Whither the Fates call

Jim
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