USS Edwards (DD-619)

William W. Edwards, born in Petersburg, Va., was appointed a midshipman 1 September 1811. In 1813 he was assigned to Argus, and was killed in the action with HMS Pelican 14 August 1813. DD-265 was named in his honor.

The second Edwards (DD-619) was launched 19 July 1942 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. Edward Brayton, widow of Lieutenant Commander Edwards; and commissioned 18 September 1942, Lieutenant Commander W. L. Messmer in command.

After brief service escorting convoys along the east coast and in the Caribbean, Edwards sailed from New York 8 November 1942 to join the Pacific Fleet. She joined TF 18 at Noumea 4 January 1943, to cover a large troop convoy bound for Guadalcanal . On 29 January they were attacked by a swarm of Japanese torpedo bombers off Rennell Island. Although most were driven off by the heavy accurate fire of the ships, enough broke through to put two torpedoes into Chicago (CA-29). Edwards with four other destroyers was detached to screen the damaged cruiser. On the following day, as the group sailed for Espiritu Santo, attacks continued. The destroyers put up a stout defense, but Chicago was torpedoed again and sank. Edwards rescued 224 of the 1,049 survivors. One of the other screening destroyers, La Vallette (DD-448), was also torpedoed; Edwards saw her safely to port before rejoining her task group.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Edwards II (DD-619)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.