page_title: USS PC-552
section_title: 1942
hierarchical_section_title: USS PC-552 / Deployments / 1942
caption_attribution_description: English: A depth charge explodes astern, as the crew of the USS PC-1264 practices a simulated submarine attack during the ship's shakedown cruise off southern Florida.
context_page_description: USS PC-552 was a class-461 patrol craft that was at the forefront of the naval efforts during the Normandy invasion. It served as convoy protection in the North Atlantic and as one of about ten PC control vessels off Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion. PC-552 was among the first ships to reach waters off Omaha Beach. PC-552, primary control vessel for Fox Green sector of the beach, was forced into rescue efforts and recovery of bodies at the departure line for Fox Green when the Duplex Drive tanks that survived the initial disastrous launch were swamped at the line with only two surviving. The PC was diverted into this effort for forty-five minutes and ultimately only five tanks, the two that survived the launch disaster and three that were aboard LCT-600 whose commander raised his ramp when the first off foundered and instead landed them on the beach, reached the beach.
  PC-552 remained in European waters until 6 June 1945, where after a ceremony commemorating the events of the previous year on that date, a convoy of PCs departed for the Atlantic crossing.
context_section_description: The USS PC 552 was commissioned on 29 July 1942, Lt. Donald McVickar, USNR commanding. By 12 August, the ship was underway for the first time in New York Harbor. The first few months were spent shaking down the ship, calibrating the engines, steering communication, guns, etc. The next month was spent training against American submarines. The first combat mission was in September during which the ship engaged with suspected German submarines. For most of the remainder of the year, the ship screened convoys between Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, berthing primarily at both places. There were several contacts with suspected enemy submarines which were attacked vigorously but no proof of destruction.
  Beginning 20 September 1942, PC-552 had her first convoy escort patrol. The next day PC-552 made contact was with a submarine attacking when contact was made again on 22 September. An aircraft assisted and an oil slick was observed, but there was no proof the attack was successful. On 27 September 1942, the ship berthed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
  PC-552 was underway again 29 September returning to Tompkinsville 7 October 1942 and picked up additional crew. PC-552 returned to Guantanamo Bay with another convoy, 11 to 18 October 1942. On 20 October the ship visited Santiago de Cuba. On 21 October, on the way back to Guantanamo Bay PC-552 engaged a possible submarine, but lost contact.
  On 15 November 1942, PC-552 departed with a convoy bound for Tompkinsville. On 23 November, they made contact with suspected enemy submarine. A six and one-half hour engagement was made against the contact with the help of HMCS Halifax (K237) and an airplane. Multiple depth charges were dropped by the group. Eastern Sea Frontier command classified this as a likely submerged wreck and noted the attacks on old wrecks were common enough to consider attaching buoys to wrecks to prevent additional attacks. On 24 November 1942, PC-552 arrived at Tompkinsville.
  On 28 November 1942, "Lt. J.R. Pilling, Jr. USNR relieved Lt. D McVickar USNR as commanding officer."
  On 18 December 1942, PC-552 departed with a convoy dropping depth charges on a possible submarine contact, but contact was lost. They arrived and berthed at Guantanamo Bay on 25 December 1942.
caption: A depth charge explodes astern during a practice anti-submarine run during the USS PC-1264's shakedown tests.
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