USS Lamson ( DD - 367 ) The third USS " Lamson " ( DD - 367 ) was a " Mahan " - class destroyer of the United States Navy ; named for Roswell Hawkes Lamson . She served in the Pacific during World War II . Lamson participated in the Battle of Tassafaronga , and remained undamaged until hit by a Japanese kamikaze during the recapture of the Philippines . " Lamson " was sunk during the Operation Crossroads atomic weapons tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946 . History . " Lamson " was laid down 20 March 1934 by Bath Iron Works Corp . , Bath , Maine ; launched 17 June 1936 ; sponsored by Miss Francis W . Andrews ; and commissioned 21 October 1936 , Commander H . E . Paddock in command . After shakedown in the $ 3 and Caribbean , " Lamson " departed Norfolk , Virginia 16 June 1937 for the $ 3 . Arriving San Diego , California , 1 July , the destroyer performed exercises and tactical training operations until she sailed for Pearl Harbor 5 October 1939 . " Lamson " continued training operations from her Hawaiian base for the next 2 years . She was returning to Pearl Harbor from patrol duty during the Japanese attack 7 December 1941 . After a search for the Japanese task force , the destroyer patrolled Hawaiian waters and steamed to Johnston Island to rescue civilians . Departing Pearl Harbor 6 January 1942 , " Lamson " arrived Pago Pago , Samoa , 2 weeks later for ASW patrols , then was assigned to the ANZAC Squadron in the South Pacific . During early March she arrived in the Fiji Islands to join the expanded ASW screen which was formed to keep the South Pacific supply lines open . After 6 months of patrol and screening operations , " Lamson " saw action 22 October when , with " Mahan " , she attacked Japanese picket boats stationed between Gilbert and Ellice Islands . The two destroyers made a coordinated attack beating off enemy air raids and sank two enemy craft . On 30 November , " Lamson " joined Rear Admiral Wright ’ s Task Force 67 during the Battle of Tassafaronga . One Japanese destroyer was sunk and one damaged while the American force lost one cruiser and three damaged . " Lamson " returned to operate in the South Pacific for the next 8 months , screening convoys en route to Guadalcanal . Constantly at sea on patrol and ASW screen , the destroyer assisted other units as they paved the way for the Allied advance across the Pacific . Arriving Milne Bay 19 August 1943 , " Lamson " joined Destroyer Squadron 5 , the forerunner of the mighty 7th Fleet , to engage in the New Guinea operations . In the landings at Lae and Finschhafen during September , she joined in the preinvasion bombardment , gave fire support after the landings , and escorted to the island reinforcement convoys needed to spearhead the drive toward Japan . After 2 months of escort duty , " Lamson " joined three other destroyers 29 November and penetrated 160 miles into enemy territory to bomb Madang , the main Japanese naval base on New Guinea . On 15 December she engaged in preinvasion bombardment of Arawe , New Britain , and , during the landings at Cape Gloucester 11 days later , downed two “ Vals . ” Continuing the New Guinea operation , the destroyer bombarded Saidor 2 January 1944 . After a brief overhaul at Mare Island and training at Pearl Harbor , " Lamson " arrived at Eniwetok 8 August to join the 5th Fleet . For the next 2 months she engaged in patrol duty and ASW screen in the Marshall Islands before reassignment to the 7th Fleet . Departing Hollandia 25 October , " Lamson " steamed to the Philippines to serve as picket , patrol and screening ship for the massive Leyte assault . Throughout November the destroyer beat off numerous suicide plan attacks aimed at convoys bringing supplies to the Philippines . While screening a convoy off Ormoc Bay , " Lamson " downed two “ Dinahs ” before a third crashed into her superstructure , killing 25 of the destroyer ’ s crew and injuring 54 others . She arrived at the Puget Sound Navy Yard 16 January 1945 for extensive repairs . Returning Eniwetok 10 May , " Lamson " operated for the rest of the war on patrol and air - sea rescue work off Iwo Jima . A fitting climax to " Lamson ' s " fine war record came on 3 September , when she arrived at Chichi Jima to supervise the surrender of the Bonin Islands . Following occupation duty at Sasebo , Japan for 1 month , the destroyer departed Japan 29 October for San Diego , arriving there 29 November . Fate . However , " Lamson " was still destined to play a valuable role in America ’ s progress as she arrived at Bikini Atoll later in May 1946 to participate in Operation Crossroads . The destroyer was sunk in Test Able , the atomic explosion 2 July 1946 . " Lamson " received five battle star s for World War II service .