USS Lamons ( DE - 743 ) The second USS " Lamons " ( DE - 743 ) was a built for the United States Navy during World War II . She served in the Pacific Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys . She returned home after the war with nine battle stars , far more than the average for destroyer escorts . She was named in honor of Kenneth Tafe Lamons , whose brave actions led to his death from wounds received in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 . The ship was laid down on 10 April 1943 by the Western Pipe and Steel Company , San Pedro , California ; launched on 1 August 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs . Leora M . Lamons , widow of Boatswain Mate Second Class Lamons ; and commissioned on 29 February 1944 , Lt . Comdr . C . K . Hutchison in command . World War II Pacific Theatre operations . After shakedown " Lamons " departed San Francisco , California , on 10 May 1944 , escorting three merchant ships to the western Pacific . She arrived Majuro Atoll , Marshall Islands , on 3 June , and joined the screen of fueling groups supporting the invasion of Saipan . The destroyer escort remained in the Marianas until Saipan was secure . The fleet next turned to the Palau Islands which were needed as staging points for ships and aircraft during the forthcoming Leyte landings . During September " Lamons " screened fueling groups which replenished ships en route to the Peleliu assault . Supporting Philippine Islands invasion . Returning to Manus on 1 October , the destroyer escort prepared for the vital Philippine Islands invasion . Sailing on 4 October with Task Group 30 . 8 , " Lamons " steamed toward the fueling areas off Leyte . For the next three months she operated - as a screen for oilers replenishing the fleet during the Philippine campaign . With Leyte secured , " Lamons " departed Ulithi on 29 December as screen for a refueling group supporting the Luzon landings . Supporting Iwo Jima Invasion . The destroyer escort returned to Ulithi on 27 January 1945 and prepared for her next assignment , the invasion of Iwo Jima . Departing Ulithi on 8 February , she steamed toward the tiny volcanic island which was needed as a stop - over base for B - 29 air raids on Japan . " Lamons " remained in the fueling areas until early March supporting the bloody but inspiring struggle which wrested this invaluable strategic base from Japanese hands . Supporting Okinawa Invasion . Preparations for the invasion of Okinawa , the last remaining barrier on the road to Japan , were now complete . " Lamons " sailed on 19 March to screen oilers as they refueled the ships of the greatest armada assembled during the Pacific war . After remaining in the vicinity throughout the Okinawa campaign , she sailed on 26 June to protect the escort carriers which assured troops of the U . S . 8th Army air superiority during landings in Balikpapan , Borneo . End - of - War Activity . The Navy now turned to Japan itself . In mid - July , " Lamons " sailed with Task Group 30 . 8 to fuel carriers engaged in air raids on the enemy homeland . The destroyer escort continued these operations until after Japan capitulated . She arrived at Ulithi on 31 August for a brief respite but was at sea again on 10 September escorting the oiler to Okinawa before sailing for home on 1 October . Post - War Decommissioning . After a brief stop at San Pedro , California , the destroyer escort sailed for the east coast , arriving Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , on 23 November . " Lamons " decommissioned at Green Cove Springs , Florida , on 14 June 1946 , and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in February 1951 . She was berthed at Philadelphia until sold for scrapping , on 15 October 1973 . Awards . " Lamons " received nine battle stars for World War II service .