USS Fitch

LeRoy 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.

Fitch (DD-462) was launched 14 June 1941 by Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. H. W. Thomas, grand-niece of Commander Fitch; and commissioned 3 February 1942, Lieutenant Commander H. Crommelin in command. She was reclassified DMS-25 on 15 November 1944, and again classified DD-462 on 15 July 1955.

Fitch's first mission, between 1 July 1942 and 5 August, was to escort Ranger (CV-4) to a point off the Gold Coast, where the carrier flew off Army planes for the base at Accra. The destroyer returned to Norfolk 5 August for exercises in preparation for the assault on North Africa, for which she sailed from Bermuda 25 October. Screening Ranger and two escort carriers, Fitch took part in the landings at Fedhala, French Morocco, on 8 November, and guarded the carriers as they flew Army planes off to the captured airfield at Port Lyautey. Returning to Norfolk 24 November, Fitch joined in exercises in Casco and Chesapeake Bays, and performed coastal escort duty, sailing as far south as the Canal Zone, through the remainder of 1942.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Fitch (DD-462)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.