United States Navy — Destroyer escort
USS Pillsbury (DE-133) — 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
John E. Pillsbury, born in Lowell, Mass. 15 December 1846, was appointed Midshipman in 1862 and commissioned an Ensign in 1868. After serving on various stations afloat and ashore, he commanded the coast steamer Blake from 1884 to 1891 and did excellent scientific work, using in some of his research instruments of his own invention. In the Spanish-American War he commanded the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, operating around the island of Cuba and in the vicinity of Morro Castle. In 1905 he served as Chief of Staff of the North Atlantic Fleet and in 1908-09, was Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Although Rear Admiral Pillsbury's attainments as a Sailor and a fighting man were noteworthy, he is perhaps best known as having been one of the world's foremost geographers and as an authority of the Gulf stream. Actively identified with the National Geographic Society for many years, he was president of the society at the time of his death, 30 December 1919.
Second World War 1939–1945
1942
The second Pillsbury (DE-133) was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Tex., 18 July 1942; launched 10 January 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Elsie G. Richardson; and commissioned 7 June 1943, Lt. Comdr. W. Parker, USNR, in command.
After shakedown Pillsbury's first duty was as flagship for Escort Division 4 escorting convoys into Casablanca and Gibraltar. Pillsbury then reported to Task Group 21.12, consisting of CVE Guadalcanal and four DE's, on "hunter-killer" patrol to seek out and destroy enemy submarines operating along or near convoy routes from the United States to Europe.
1944
On the night of 8 April 1944, planes from Guadalcanal (CVE-60) attacked a surfaced German U-boat. The U-boat immediately submerged for deep evasive tactics. Pillsbury and Flaherty (DE-135) raced to the scene and Pillsbury made initial sound contact and attacked with hedge hogs. The depth charges forced the U-boat to the surface, but the German sailors were determined to fight to a finish with the torpedoes. Flaherty joined Pillsbury, and in a murderous crossfire made short work of U-515 . Six officers, including the Captain, and fifty-seven of the crew were captured.
On 4 June, about 100 miles off the Cape Verdes, sound contact was made on a U-boat trying to penetrate the destroyer screen for a shot at Guadalcanal. Two pilots sighted the submarine running under the surface, and splashed the sea with gunfire to point out the contact to Pillsbury , Jenks (DE-665), and Chatelain (DE-149) rushing to the attack. The destroyers fired their depth charges and in 13 minutes forced the submarine to the surface. In a withering fire of small arms and light gunnery the German gun crews were swept from the decks. Pillsbury lowered a boarding party and, in a drama reminiscent of old Navy days, the boarding party rushed on board and took as prisoners the U-boat Captain, five officers, and fifty-three of her crew. A 2,500 mile haul to Bermuda was made, with U-505 trailing meekly on the end of a tow line. The captured submarine revealed some of the German Navy's most guarded secrets. For this demonstration of conspicuous gallantry and achievement, Pillsbury was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
1945
On 24 April 1945 Pillsbury , as a member of Task Unit 22.7.1 operating in the North Atlantic, depth charged and sank U-546 .
After hostilities with Germany ended, Pillsbury and Pope (DE-134) escorted the first surrendered Nazi U-boat, U-858 , from mid-Atlantic to Cape May, N.J., after placing a prize crew aboard.
Cold War 1954–1963
1954
In June 1954 the vessel was moved to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, fitted out with the latest equipment, redesignated a radar picket ship, DER-133, in August 1954 and recommissioned 15 March 1955. After refresher training and shakedown Pillsbury sailed for Newport, R.I. to assume her duties as a radar guardship acting as an element of the protective radar screens around the United States. During 1958 Pillsbury made seven picket patrols on the Atlantic Barrier, five trips to Argentia, Newfoundland, and one trip to Summerside, Prince Edward Island. She decommissioned 20 June 1960; was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 July 1965; and was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, Md. in 1966.
Other photographs
Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.
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.
- History Pillsbury II (DE-133) 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.
- Facts USS Pillsbury (DE-133) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
- Photograph USS Pillsbury (DER-133) underway, circa in 1957 U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy photo [1] from "Jane's Fighting Ships, 1958-59", available on Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
- Photograph USS Pillsbury (DE-133) alongside the captured German submarine U-505 on 4 June 1944 (80-G-324310) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-324310 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
- Photograph A U.S. Navy boarding party working to secure a tow line to the bow of the captured German submarine U-505, 4 June 1944 (80-G-49172) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-49172 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons