Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Ship's Company, USS Albert T. Harris (DE-447)


This is the graduation picture for the ship's company of USS Albert T. Harris (DE-447) at Naval Station Norfolk, 1944. After taking this picture, the company travelled to Newark, New Jersey to meet their new ship at Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.

One of Naval Station's primary roles in World War II was serving as the Navy's finishing school for destroyer escort companies. These little warships were one many innovations created by the Allies to combat U-boats. Though not as effective as full size fleet destroyers and lightly armed, destroyers escorts could be built quickly and filled a critical gap in anti-submarine escort needs for convoys.

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