USS Newcomb ( DD - 586 ) USS " Newcomb " ( DD - 586 ) was a " Fletcher " - class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II . She was the only ship named for Commodore Frank H . Newcomb of the United States Revenue Cutter Service , Congressional Gold Medal recipient from the Spanish - American War . " Newcomb " was laid down 19 March 1943 by Boston Navy Yard ; launched 4 July 1943 , sponsored by Mrs . C . C . Baughman ; and commissioned 10 November 1943 , Commander L . B . Cook in command . History . " Newcomb " shook down in the West Indies for a month , then made passage to the Marshall Islands , arriving 4 April 1944 for two months duty on antisubmarine patrol off the Japan ese held Mille , Wotje , and Jaluit atolls . She next joined the assault on Saipan as flagship for the screen from 29 May until 5 August , serving as fire support and patrol ship at both Saipan and Tinian . On 22 June , while guarding transports , she and " Chandler " ( DMS - 9 ) sank Japanese submarine " I - 185 " , and on 4 July her well - directed fire broke up a Japanese banzai attack north of Garapan on Saipan . Operating in the Fire Support and Bombardment Group for the assault on the Palaus 6 September to 1 October , " Newcomb " fired 23 separate shore bombardments and also covered underwater demolition team s providing bombardment control spotting . As flagship of Destroyer Squadron 56 ( DesRon 56 ) , " Newcomb " joined in the Leyte landings 12 October to 4 December , covering underwater demolition teams and firing preinvasion - bombardment , call - fire , night - harassing and illumination missions . Her squadron made a night torpedo attack in the Surigao Strait phase of the Battle for Leyte Gulf 25 October . At least one of her 5 torpedoes struck battleship " Yamashiro " , sunk in this action . Closely straddled but not damaged , " Newcomb " went to the aid of stricken " Albert W . Grant " ( DD - 649 ) , providing medical aid and a tow out of the battle area . In this classic sea battle , " Newcomb " and her sisters played a key role in the great American victory which insured the success of General Douglas MacArthur ' s return to the Philippines , and effectively ended major Japanese naval threats for the remainder of the war . Often under fire from Japanese aircraft , several of which she destroyed , " Newcomb " continued service in the Philippines , engaging Japanese shore batteries at Ormoc 9 December while screening landing craft , fighting a convoy through heavy enemy air attack to Mindoro 19 through 24 December , and driving off 2 would - be kamikaze s during the Lingayen landing 6 January 1945 . She covered operations in Lingayen Gulf through 24 January , then prepared for duty as fire support ship at Iwo Jima from 10 February , where she covered minesweeping for three days prior to the landing . During the invasion the destroyer engaged shore batteries and fired pinpoint - accurate bombardments of inestimable assistance to troops ashore . She again engaged a Japanese submarine 25 February , with unknown results . Departing Iwo Jima 10 March , " Newcomb " joined the Okinawa assault force 11 days later , and again covered underwater demolition and minesweeping operations as well as antiaircraft and shore bombardment until 6 April , when she was screening minesweepers off Ie Shima . At least 40 enemy aircraft were observed in the area during the day , and at 16 : 00 suicide attacks began . Though handicapped by a low ceiling , her gunners were able to drive off or shoot down several attackers , but over a period of an hour and a half , she was struck five times . With a skill and fighting spirit which won them a Navy Unit Commendation , her crew worked furiously to repair engine damage and extinguish fires , while continuing to fight their ship and maneuver to avoid further crashes . Aid was rendered by " Leutze " ( DD - 481 ) , herself struck by the fifth kamikaze skipping across from " Newcomb " , and " Beale " ( DD - 471 ) . Indomitably afloat , fires and power out , with 18 killed , 25 missing , and 64 wounded , " Newcomb " was towed to Kerama Retto by " Tekesta " ( ATF - 93 ) . Repairs to her hull were made by " Vestal " ( AR - 4 ) under frequent enemy air attack , and 14 June she left under tow for Saipan , Pearl Harbor , and San Francisco , arriving 8 August . Fate . The end of the war ended further repairs , and " Newcomb " decommissioned 20 November 1945 . Stricken from the Navy List 28 March 1946 , she was scrapped at Mare Island Navy Yard in October 1947 . " Newcomb " received 8 battle star s for World War II service .