USS Thomas (DE-102)

USS Thomas (DE-102) was the second United States Navy ship to be named after Clarence Crase Thomas.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Thomas.

History
United States
Name: USS Thomas (DE-102)
Namesake: Clarence Crase Thomas
Builder: Dravo Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Laid down: 16 January 1943
Launched: 31 July 1943
Commissioned: 21 November 1943
Decommissioned: March 1946
Stricken: 22 December 1948
Fate: Transferred to China, 14 December 1948
History
Taiwan
Name: ROCS Tai Ho (DE-23)[1][2]
Acquired: 14 December 1948
Out of service: 1972
Fate: Stricken and scrapped, 1972
General characteristics
Class and type: Cannon-class destroyer escort
Displacement: 1,240 tons
Length: 306 ft (93 m)
Beam: 36 ft 8 in (11.2 m)
Draft: 8 ft 9 in (2.7 m)
Propulsion:
Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h)
Range: 10,800 nmi. at 12 knots
Complement: 15 officers, 201 enlisted
Armament:

The second USS Thomas was a Cannon class destroyer escort in the United States Navy during World War II. She was laid down by Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., on 16 January 1943; launched on 31 July 1943; and commissioned on 21 November 1943.[3][4]

History

Thomas operated off the east coast during World War II, and was involved in the sinking of three German submarines: U-709, U-233, and U-548. U-233 was rammed by the Thomas after being forced to the surface by depth charges. Thomas rescued 29 survivors, including the Captain.[3]

After being decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida in March 1946,[5] Thomas was transferred to the Chinese Navy on 29 October 1948 and renamed Tai Ho (DE-23).[1][2] Her name was deleted from the US Naval List on 22 December 1948.[3]

"Tai Ho" was involved in a standdown on 30 September 1949 with three American merchant ships of the Isbrandtsen Line off Shanghai. This was part of the port closure actions by ROC government against communist controlled ports since June 1949. One American skipper radioed that an "armed ship was menacing" his vessel. Eventually the ROC vessel pulled away without further action.[6][7]

Tai Ho escaped to Taiwan in 1949 with Nationalist forces. She was stricken from the Republic of China Naval List in 1972 and broken up for scrap.[8]

Honors

DE-102 received four battle stars for World War II service.[3]
Combat Action Ribbon
American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 4 service stars World War II Victory Medal

Notes
  1. Blackman, Raymond V. B., ed. Jane's Fighting Ships 1972–1973. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1973. p. 311.
  2. "Thomas (6116709)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  3. USS Thomas page at hazegray.org
  4. USS Thomas page at ibiblio.net
  5. "Thomas II". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  6. McConaughy to the Secretary of State, September 18, 1949, from FRUS, vol. IX (1949), p. 1134.
  7. Strong to the Secretary of State, October 3, 1949, from FRUS, vol. IX (1949), pp. 1135, 1137, 1142.
  8. USS Thomas page on uboat.net

References



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