Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Destroyer

USS Collett — service history

This is the full service history. For the vessel's particulars, photograph and specifications, see the entry.

In the words of the US Navy. The account below is reproduced verbatim from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command — a work of the United States Government, in the public domain, and the only text on this site not written here.

Before commissioning

USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Collett (DD-730) in port, following her 19 July 1960 collision with USS Ammen (DD-527). Collett had just completed her FRAM II-modernization, when she collided with Ammen off Newport Beach, California (USA), killing 11 and injuring 20, all members of Ammen 's crew. Despite a badly smashed bow, Collett made port under her own power, entering the Long Beach Naval Shipyard Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 105936 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

John Austin Collett was born 31 March 1908 in Omaha, Nebr., and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1929. He was killed in action during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942, while commanding Torpedo Squadron 10 in Enterprise (CV-6).

Second World War 1939–1945

1944 Lingayen

Collett (DD-730) was launched 5 March 1944 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. C. C. Baughman as proxy for Mrs. J. D. Collett; and commissioned 16 May 1944, Commander J. D. Collett in command. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, Collett reached Pearl Harbor 16 October 1944 and Ulithi 3 November. From this base, she screened the mighty carrier task force variously designated TF 38 and TF 58 for the remainder of the war. She first saw action in the air raids on Luzon and Formosa, which accompanied the advance of ground forces on Leyte, and prepared for the invasion at Lingayen from November 1944 into January 1945. In January the carriers she screened continued to launch air attacks on Formosa, the China coast, and the Nansei Shoto, and on 16 and 17 February sailed daringly close to the Japanese coast to strike targets on Honshu before giving air cover to the invasion of Iwo Jima from 20 to 22 February.

1945

Collett returned to Empire waters with the carrier task force to screen during air raids on Honshu 25 February 1945, joined in the bombardment of Okino Daito Shima 2 March, and returned to screening during the air strikes on Kyushu and southern Honshu of 18 to 20 March. From 23 March to 24 April, the force concentrated its strikes on Okinawa, invaded on 1 April. On 18 April Collett joined with four other destroyers and carrier aircraft to sink Japanese submarine 1-56 in 26-42' N., 130-38' E.

After replenishing at Ulithi, Collett rejoined TF 58 11 May 1945 for its final month of air strikes supporting the Okinawa operation, and from 10 July to 15 August sailed with the carriers as they flew their final series of heavy air attacks on the Japanese home islands. With her squadron, she swept through the Sagami Nada on 22 and 23 July, aiding in the sinking of several Japanese merchantmen. After patrol duty off Japan, and guarding the carriers as they flew air cover for the landing of occupation troops, Collett entered Tokyo Bay 14 September 1945, and 4 days later sailed for a west coast overhaul.

Korean War period 1950–1953

1950 Inchon

USS Collett
Five U.S. Navy destroyers steam up the Inchon channel to bombard Wolmi-Do island on 13 September 1950, two days prior to the Inchon landings. Wolmi-Do is in the right center background, with smoke rising from air strikes. The ships were USS Mansfield (DD-728), USS De Haven (DD-727), USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729), USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Gurke (DD-783). Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-419905 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Remaining on active duty with the Pacific Fleet from World War II into 1960, Collett alternated local operations and cruises along the west coast with tours of duty in the Far East, the first of which came in 1946-47. She was in the Far East upon the outbreak of the Korean war in June 1950, and after patrolling off Pusan from her base at Sasebo, and escorting cargo ships laden with military supplies to Korea, she sailed up the difficult channel to Inchon on 13 September to begin the preinvasion bombardment. She carried out her mission, although hit four times by counterfire which wounded five of her men, and on the 15th, returned with the invasion force, to whom she provided gunfire support once the landings had been made, as well as protective cover at sea. Her outstanding accomplishment in the invasion of Inchon was recognized with the awarding of the Navy Unit Commendation. After taking part in the Wonsan landings on 26 October, she returned to San Diego 18 November 1950.

1951

USS Collett
"Teamwork, Courage, and Skill": Men of the U.S. Navy Destroyer Division 91 crowd the foc'sle and superstructure of their ships in Sasebo, Japan, to receive their Navy Unit Commendations. During the presentation on the USS Mansfield , a crane crew in the background continues its task of installing new gun barrels on the USS De Haven . Streaks of red lead on the USS Collett and the USS Swenson in th U.S. Navy (photograph and caption released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, under date of 18 December 1951) — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 97090 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Her second tour of duty in the Korean war, from 18 June 1951 to 17 February 1952, found her screening TF 77 as it conducted air strikes on the Korean east coast, training with an antisubmarine group off Okinawa, patrolling in the Taiwan Straits, and conducting shore bombardments along the coast of Korea. Similar duty, aside from bombardment, was her assignment during her third tour, from 29 August 1952 to 9 April 1953.

Cold War 1954–1963

1960

From the close of the Korean war, Collett served in the Far East in 1953-54, 1954-55, 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1959. Early in 1960 she began an extensive modernization, which continued until July 1960. On 19 July 1960, Collett collided with Ammen (DD-527) off Long Beach, Calif., killing 11 and injuring 20, all members of Ammen's crew. Despite a badly smashed bow, Collett made port under her own power, entering the Long Beach Naval Shipyard for extensive repairs. Her bow was removed and replaced with that of Seaman (DD-791) an uncompleted destroyer in the Reserve Fleet. On 5 November 1960, Collett departed Long Beach for coastal operations, which continued intermittently for the remainder of the year.

Collett received six battle stars for World War II service, and in addition to the Navy Unit Commendation, six battle stars for the Korean war.

Other photographs

Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.

USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Collett (DD-730) at sea near Kanni-Zaki Point (?), Japan on 17 July 1966. PH2 J.K. Halsey, U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 107138 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
ARA Piedra Buena (D-29) Unknown author — http://www.histarmar.com.ar/Armada%20Argentina/Buques1900a1970/Destructores/PiedraBuena/11.jpg — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
A U.S. Navy Grumman US-2C Tracker of Composite Squadron 5 (VC-5) warming up its engines on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in 1969. VC-5 was stationed at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, and provided the US-2C as target tugs. Coral Sea ´s plane guard destroyer USS Collet (DD-730) is passing aft of the carrier. S. Michaelson, U.S. Navy — U.S. sailor or employee [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The ships and aircraft of the U.S. Navy Task Group 70.4 underway in 1962. Visible are (in no order): the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVS-20), with Commander Carrier Division 15 aboard; Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 59 (CVSG-59) was aboard the Bennington for the deployment to the Western Pacific from 7 January 25 July 1962. Destroyer Division 92 with USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) USS Collet U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) at Terminal Island, Long Beach, California (USA), circa in 1962. Alongside are the destroyers USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729), USS Collett (DD-730), USS Blue (DD-744), and USS Shelton (DD-790). USS Colahan (DD-658) is moored on the other side of the pier. This photo shows the three U.S. Navy post-WWII destroyer classes, Fletcher -class ( Colaha U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy All Hands magazine September 1962 , p. 30 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Collett (DD-730) in 1962. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Dixie (AD-14) in 1962 with six destroyers alongside, probably at Subic Bay, Philippines. Alongside are (l-r): USS Epperson (DD-719); USS Renshaw (DD-499); USS Philip (DD-498); USS Radford (DD-446); USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Blue (DD-744). U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Dixie (AD-14) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Dixie (AD-14) in 1962 with six destroyers alongside, probably at Subic Bay, Philippines. Identifiable are (l-r): USS Renshaw (DD-499); USS Philip (DD-498); USS Radford (DD-446); USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Blue (DD-744) U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Prairie (AD-15) docked at Yokosuka, Japan, circa in 1959. Alongside are the destroyers: USS Mansfield (DD-728), USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Benner (DDR-807). U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Prairie (AD-15) 1959-1960 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The four U.S. Navy destroyers of Destroyer Division 92 at Terminal Island, in 1962 (l-r): USS Shelton (DD-790), USS Blue (DD-744), USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729). The destroyer tender USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) is partly visible on the right. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Collett
The U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Sierra (AD-18) moored to buoys with the masts visible of five destroyers moored to her port side. USS De Haven (DD-727) and USS Collett (DD-730) are both visible beyond Sierra's bow. The place and date are unknown. However, judging from the small wartime hull numbers on these ships, their World War II vintage radars and their post-war haze gray paint schemes, the U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 107746 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

References

Every work this entry draws on. There are no numbered markers in the text above: what we hold is the provenance of the page — this history, this article, these photographs.

  1. History Collett (DD-730) Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Naval History and Heritage Command. A work of the United States Government, in the public domain — the only text on this site reproduced verbatim.
  2. Facts USS Collett Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Collett (DD-730) underway off Boston, Massachusetts (USA), 31 May 1944 (19-N-130517) U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-N-130517 available at Destroyerhistory.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS Collett (DD-730) underway in July 1966 PH2 J.K. Halsey, U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 107138 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph ARA Piedra Buena (D-29) Unknown author — http://www.histarmar.com.ar/Armada%20Argentina/Buques1900a1970/Destructores/PiedraBuena/11.jpg — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph Grumman US-2C Tracker of VC-5 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), in 1969 S. Michaelson, U.S. Navy — U.S. sailor or employee [1] — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph Ships and aircraft of US Navy Task Group 70.4 underway in 1962 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph U.S. Navy destroyers bombard Wolmi-Do island, Korea, on 13 September 1950 (80-G-419905) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-419905 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph US Navy Destroyer Division 91 receives Navy Unit Commendations at Sasebo in 1951 U.S. Navy (photograph and caption released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, under date of 18 December 1951) — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 97090 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) with destroyers at Terminal Island c1962 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy All Hands magazine September 1962 , p. 30 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph USS Collett (DD-730) at sea in 1962 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph USS Collett (DD-730) in port, following her 19 July 1960 collision (NH 105936) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 105936 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph USS Dixie (AD-14) in 1962, with six destroyers alongside U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Dixie (AD-14) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph USS Dixie (AD-14) with destroyers alongside in 1962 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph USS Prairie (AD-15), USS Mansfield (DD-728), USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Benner (DDR-807) docked at Yokosuka, Japan, circa in 1959 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Prairie (AD-15) 1959-1960 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph USS Shelton (DD-790), USS Blue (DD-744), USS Collett (DD-730) and USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) in 1962 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1962 cruise book available at Navysite.de — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph USS Sierra (AD-18) moored to buoys c1946 U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo NH 107746 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons