In creating my web site,
especially pages relating to the family name McClelland, I have met
many interesting people.
One of these is Charles
McClelland, who told me about the United States Ship that shares
our name.
Much of the material here
is provided by Charles and I thank him for letting me share this information
with you.
I know nothing about the
navy or ships, so please don't ask me any technical questions, all I
know is on this page. Please try the other links on this page if you
need to know more.
Dave
Charles W. "Big Mac" McClelland on Arizona Memorial in
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
USS Missouri in background. Dec. 4th., 2001
The history
of the McCLELLAND.
Thomas Alfred McClelland,
born 18 March 1905 at Kansas City, Missouri, enlisted in the U.S. Navy
as apprentice seaman 12 September 1924 and received an honorable discharge
11 September 1928. On 7 October 1940, he was appointed ensign, USNR.
On 6 April 1941, having completed a special course in communications,
he reported aboard USS West Virgina. Ensign McClelland reported dead
after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.
(DE-750: dp 1,240: L 306'; b. 36' 8"; dr. 8' 9"; s. 21 k.;
cpl.186; a. 3 3', 2 40mm, 1o 20mm., 8 21" tt., 2 dec., 8 dep.,
(hh.) ; cl. Cannon.)
McClelland (DE-750) was laid down 21 July 1943 by Western Pipe &
Steel Co., San Padro, Calif., launched 28 November 1943; sponsored
by Mrs. T.A. McClelland, widow of Ensign McClelland; and commissioned
19 September 1944, Lt. Comdr. Glendon D. Williams in command.
McClelland departed the west coast for Pearl Harbor 11 December 1944.
There, until 24 January 1945s she received further training in antisubmarine
and anti-aircraft warfare in preparation for the assault on the Volcano
Islands. By the end of January she was screen for TG 51.5 bound for
Iwo Jima. She arrived off the island 20 February, the day after the
initial landings. On the 21st. TG 51.5 was attacked by three suicide
planes; two scored hits on ships of the main body while the third splashed.
The next day , the combined fire of the group destroyed four more enemy
aircraft as they went into their attack dive. Following this action,
McClelland assumed antisubmarine duties and HUK activities to the north
and west of the island.
On 28 February, the destroyer-escort steamed to Espiritu Santo to prepare
for the Okinawa offensive. She arrived off Okinawa 9 April, remaining
until 8 June. During the long bitter campaign she took part in the capture
of Isuken Shima; performed escort services among the Ryukyus, and helped
to maintain antiair and antisubmarine screen. While she was patrolling
on the latter duty, 1 June, a kamikaze pilot dived from astern. McClelland's
gunfire and fast maneuvering caused the airplane to splash when 25 yards
off her starboard beam.
On 8 June, McClelland steamed to Saipan. On 4 July she joined the 3d Fleet's
logistics task group east of Japan. She screened that group, TG 30.8
as they provisioned units of TF 38, then striking the Japanese homeland.
On 21 july she departed the area, escorting Presidio (APA-88) to Eniwetok,
Ulithi, and Leyte. The two ships rejoined TG 30.8 21 August, and after
the signing of the official surrender document, sailed for Ulithi.
McClelland arrived in Japanese waters 27 September, remaining in Tokyo
until 12 October when she sailed for the United States. She arrived
Norfolk 2 December, and 5 January 1946 departed for Green Cove Springs,
Florida. There she decommissioned 15 May and entered the Atlantic Reserve
Fleet.
The following September, McClelland was placed in service and assigned
to the 7th Naval District as a Reserve training vessel, operating out
of Jacksonville, Fla. After the disestablishment of the district, she
continued her training duties in the same area under the authority of
the Commander, 6th Naval District. On 14 July 1950 the ship was placed
in commission, in reserve, at Charlleston, S.C. She conducted weekend
and summer cruise programs for naval reservists of the 6th Naval District
until 1959. Her summer cruises during this time took her as far north
as St. John's, Newfoundland; as far south as Barranquilla, Columbia;
and as far east as Cadiz, Spain.
In 1959 she was transferred to Philadelphia and at the end of the year
began deactivation for the second time. On 12 September 1960, she decommissioned
and and entered the Atlantic Inactive Fleet. Into 1969* she remains
berthed at Philadelphia.
McClelland received three battle stars for WW II sevice.
* Later sold for scrap.
DE-750 USS McClelland
- Cannon Class Destroyer
Escort:
- Displacement: 1525 tons
- Length: 308'
- Beam: 36'8"
- Draft: 11'8"
- Speed: 21 knots
- Armament: 3 3"/50,
3x3 21" torpedo tubes, 1x2 40mm, 8 20mm, 1 hedgehog, 2 depth
charge tracks, 8 "K" gun projectors
- Complement: 15 officers,
201 enlisted
- Diesel-electric engines
with tandem-motor drive, 6,000 h.p.