USS Laffey (DD-724)

Bartlett Laffey, born in Ireland in 1841, enlisted in the Navy on 17 March 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat Marmora. On 5 March 1864, the Confederates launched a heavy attack on Union positions at Yazoo City, Miss. In the midst of heated battle Laffey landed a 12-pound howitzer and her crew. Despite enemy rifle fire which cut up the gun carriage and severed the rammer, Laffey bravely stood by his gun and contributed greatly to turning back the flerce Confederate assault. Seaman Laffey was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous stand. He died at Chelsea, Mass., on 22 March 1901.

The second Laffey (DD-724) was laid down on 28 June 1943 at Bath, Maine, by Bath Iron Works Corp.; launched on 21 November 1943; sponsored by Miss Beatrice F. Laffey, daughter of Seaman Laffey; and commissioned on 8 February 1944, Cmdr. Frederick J. Becton in command.

Upon completion of underway training, Laffey visited Washington [D.C.] Navy Yard for a day and departed on 28 February 1944, arriving at Bermuda on 4 March. She returned briefly to Norfolk where she served as school ship, then headed for New York to join the screen of a convoy for England on 14 May. Refueling at Greenock, Scotland, the ship continued on to Plymouth, England, arriving on 27 May.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Laffey II (DD-724)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.