USS Richard M . Rowell ( DE - 403 ) USS " Richard M . Rowell " ( DE - 403 ) was a " John C . Butler " - class destroyer escort acquired by the United States Navy during World War II . The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy , in addition to other tasks as assigned , such as patrol or radar picket . Post - war , she returned home with six battle stars to her credit . She was named in honor of Ensign Richard M . Rowell ( 1916 – 1942 ) who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing a Japanese plane 20 February 1942 . She was laid down 18 August 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co . , Houston , Texas ; Launched 17 November 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs . Agnes M . Rowell ; and commissioned 9 March 1944 , Lieutenant Commander Harry A . Barnard , Jr . , in command . History . World War II . Following shakedown off Bermuda , " Rowell " departed Boston , Massachusetts on 6 May 1944 and proceeded via the Panama Canal and San Diego , California to Pearl Harbor , arriving there on 31 May . In July 1944 she escorted a convoy to Eniwetok and screened escort carriers returning to Pearl Harbor . In August she protected a transport group on its voyage to Tulagi , Solomons , and screened escort carriers to Manus . In September she protected an air support task force during the landings on Morotai on the 15th , saving two pilots . " Rowell " rescued survivors from USS " Shelton " ( DE - 407 ) , hit by a torpedo from Japanese submarine " RO - 41 " , on 3 October 1944 . Later that day , thinking she was attacking the culprit of the " Shelton " attack , she mistakenly attacked USS " Seawolf " ( SS - 197 ) in a submarine safety lane and sank her . " Rowell " next screened a carrier group providing air support for the landings on Leyte , Philippine Islands , 20 October . On 23 October , " Rowell " sank " I - 54 " . She then took part in the Battle off Samar . 25 October , " Rowell " was a member of the escort of " Taffy One " , which was operating off Surigao Island about south of Task Force 3 , which was the subject of the main Japanese attack . " Taffy One " had just launched planes to the south to attack the Japanese retiring from the Battle of Surigao Strait , when she was subjected to a " kamikaze " attack by six Japanese planes from Davao . Responding to this emergency , " Rowell " rescued one survivor from " Santee " ( CVE - 29 ) . " Taffy One " arrived too late to be of much assistance to " Taffy Three " , which bore the brunt of the Japanese attack ; " Rowell " did fight off another " kamikaze " attack on 26 October . Returning to the carrier formation , she donated blood plasma from her own supply , and medical supplies from " Petrof Bay " ( CVE - 80 ) , to " Suwanee " ( CVE - 27 ) . On 27 October , " Rowell " she escorted " Santee " to Manus , and arrived at Pearl Harbor 19 November . She joined antiair - and ASW patrols for the landings 9 January 1945 at Lingayen Gulf , Luzon , Philippine Islands . After protecting underwater demolition drills at Ulithi in late January and early February , she guarded transports to Iwo Jima , and supported air units during the landings there 19 February . Departing Ulithi 21 March , she protected air units during the landings 1 April upon Okinawa , before returning to Guam 11 May . In July she patrolled in Leyte Gulf , Philippine Islands , and escorted " Hoggatt Bay " ( CVE - 75 ) to Ulithi , before escorting three transports to San Pedro Bay , Philippine Islands , in August . Following duty at Leyte Gulf and Okinawa in September , she proceeded via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor to San Diego , arriving 6 November . Post - war decommissioning . Decommissioned 2 July 1946 , " Rowell " remained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet until stricken from the Navy list 30 June 1968 . In June 1969 , she was sold for scrapping . Awards . " Richard M . Rowell " received six battle star s for World War II service .