Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
USS BUCHANAN DD-484
The second Buchanan (DD-484) was launched 22 November 1941 by Federal Shipbuilding and
Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N. J.; sponsored by Miss Hildreth Meiere, great-granddaughter of
Admiral Buchanan; and commissioned 21 March 1942, Lt. Cdr. R. E. Wilson in command.
Buchanan got underway for the Pacific 28 May 1942. She played an effective role in the
landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi (7-9 August) and on 9 August she was present during
the Battle of Savo Island and rescued many survivors of Astoria (CA-34), Quincy (CA-39),
Vincennes (CA-44), and HMAS Canberra, sunk during the battle. In September she escorted
Wasp (CV-7) and other units to Noumea, New Caledonia. Shortly there after, as part of TF
64.2, Buchanan assisted in the occupation of Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands.
On the night of 11-12 October, as a unit of TG 64.2 Buchanan took part in the Battle of
Cape Esperance. On 12 November the destroyer was damaged during the initial stages of the
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal when she was accidentally hit by U. S. naval gunfire. She
suffered the loss of five of her crew and had to withdraw from the action. After
undergoing repairs, she was assigned to convoy escort duty until February 1943.
After leave in Sydney, Australia, Buchanan joined the screen of TF 15. On 30 April 1943,
while screening in convoy, the ship ran aground off the southern coast of Guadalcanal
and, after jettisoning heavy gear and ammunition, she was eased off the reef by three
tugs. She proceeded to Espiritu Santo New Hebrides, for repairs. Repairs completed, she
participated in the New Georgia Group operations (30 June-13 July) and while under heavy
attack she effectively bombarded the enemy shore batteries during the invasion of
Rendova. She participated in the bombardment of Munda (12 July) and the Battle of
Kolombangara (13 July). Buchanan was damaged when she collided with Woodworth (DD-460)
during the latter engagement and retired to Noumea for repairs. During the ensuing
months, Buchanan convoyed ships to Noumea, Espiritu Santo, and Guadalcanal. She
participated in the Treasury Bougainville operation (1-11 November), taking part in the
Rabaul and Buka Bonis strikes. Next, as a unit of TF 38, she bombarded Shortland Island
and Bougainville (8 and 13 January 1944). On 22 January, while going to the rescue of the
torpedoed oiler Cache (AO-67), Buchanan hunted down and sank the Japanese submarine RO-37
in 11°47' S., 1 64°17' E.
During February the destroyer participated in various phases of the Bismarck Archipelago
operation (15 February-1 March). She covered the Green Island landings and took an active
part in the bombardment of Kavieng, Rabaul, and New Ireland before steaming to the United
States to undergo a yard overhaul at Mare Island.
Upon completion of overhaul and refresher training Buchanan returned to the Pacific and
served with the transport screen during the assault and capture of the southern Palaus (6
September-14 October 1944) . She next participated in the strikes against Luzon between
14 and 16 December. On 18 December she was damaged by a typhoon in the Philippine Sea.
Upon completion of repairs she engaged in attacks on Luzon, Formosa, and the China coast
(6-16 January 1945) in support of the Luzon operation. During the remainder of World War
II she participated in the Iwo Jima invasion (15 February-5 March ), Okinawa operation
and supporting 3rd and 5th Fleet raids (16 March-30 June); as well as the 3rd Fleet
operations against Japan (10 July -15 August 1945).
On 29 August she entered Tokyo Bay escorting South Dakota (BB-57). On 1 September she
carried Fleet Admirals Nimitz and Halsey from their respective flagships to Yokohama
where they met with General MacArthur and then returned them to the fleet. The following
day she carried General MacArthur to Missouri (BB-63) where he accepted the Japanese
surrender and then returned him to Yokohama. She remained on occupation duty in the Far
East until 8 October and then departed for San Francisco where she arrived 20 October.
Buchanan steamed to Charleston, S. C. for pre-inactivation overhaul and went out of
commission in reserve there 21 May 1946.
Buchanan was recommissioned 11 December 1948 at Charleston and underwent shakedown and
refresher training with a nucleus Turkish crew aboard. On 29 March 1949 she got underway
for Golcuk, Turkey, where she was turned over to the Turkish Navy 28 Apr 1l 1949.
Buchanan received the Presidential Unit Citation and 16 battle stars for her World War II
service.
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