USS Jenkins ( DD - 447 ) USS " Jenkins " ( DD - 447 ) was a World War II - era in the service of the United States Navy , the second ship named after Rear Admiral Thornton A . Jenkins . " Jenkins " was laid down by Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co . , Kearny , New Jersey , 27 November 1941 ; launched 21 June 1942 ; sponsored by Mrs . Marion Parker Embry ; and commissioned 31 July 1942 , Lieutenant Commander H . F . Miller in command . History . After a training period during the summer of 1942 , Jenkins departed Casco Bay , Maine , 24 October as escort to a convoy headed for the North African campaign . She screened heavy ships during the shore bombardment , as the attack force arrived off Casablanca 8 November . Following the Naval Battle of Casablanca , the destroyer returned to New York 19 November to prepare for action in the Pacific . Arriving at Nouméa , New Caledonia , 4 January 1943 , she immediately began escort and patrol duty among the Solomon Islands and in the Coral Sea . Her first Pacific landing operation began 29 June , when she joined other units in supporting the invasion of New Georgia Island . " Jenkins " splashed several enemy planes , as the Japan ese fought back with considerable air strength . Assigned to Rear Adm . Walden L . Ainsworth ' s Task Group 36 . 1 , " Jenkins " departed Tulagi 5 July and steamed up the Slot to intercept a Japanese destroyer and transport force carrying reinforcements to Kolombangara . Radar detected the enemy during mid - watch ; and during the Battle of Kula Gulf 6 July , American gunfire sank one destroyer and drove another ashore . Enemy torpedoes sank . Following this operation , " Jenkins " was dispatched 18 July to a position south of the Santa Cruz Islands to assist damaged seaplane tender . Although under attack from enemy bombers , the destroyer escorted " Chincoteague " back to Espiritu Santo . During the next 4 months " Jenkins " engaged in escort duty , training exercises , and preparations for the Gilbert Islands campaign . She joined the screen of Rear Adm . Arthur W . Radford ' s Northern Carrier Group which bombed Makin and Tarawa during the landings 15 November . Then the destroyer sailed with the carrier force to attack Kwajalein and Wotje in the Marshalls on 4 December . During these raids the carrier was hit by a torpedo , and " Jenkins " was assigned to escort her back to Pearl Harbor where she arrived 9 December . " Jenkins " departed Hawaii 25 January 1944 with a tanker unit to fuel fast carriers and ships covering the Marshall Islands campaign . She operated with the refueling group through February , and conducted shore bombardment on Bougainville during March . She departed Seeadler Harbor 20 April to rendezvous with Task Force 77 for amphibious operations at Hollandia and Aitape . The landings took place 22 April , and their successful conclusion gave American Pacific forces another base from which to unleash further attacks on remaining enemy held islands . After escort duty and ASW patrols , " Jenkins " made a search in early June to thwart any attempt by the Japanese to reinforce their Biak garrison . She then covered and provided shore bombardment for the invasions of Noemfoor , Sansapor , and Morotai , as well as patrolling and escorting reinforcements for these operations throughout the summer . " Jenkins " once again departed Manus , Admiralties , 12 October for the Leyte invasion scheduled 20 October . Upon arrival , the destroyer was assigned to radar picket duty , from which she performed fighter director duties . As other units of the fleet were decisively defeating the enemy fleet in the historic Battle for Leyte Gulf , " Jenkins " continued her services on the picket station until 27 November . On 28 December " Jenkins " sortied from Aitape to provide close cover for the Luzon Attack Force . After receiving some damage from the enemy shore battery , the destroyer returned to Leyte 12 January 1945 . Ten days later she departed to assist in hunter - killer operations in the Lingayen Gulf area . She remained on ASW patrol until proceeding to cover minesweeping and shore bombardment on Corregidor 13 February . She continued to support the landings in the islands , giving valuable fire support and ASW assistance until late April . She departed Subic Bay 24 April to cover minesweeping and amphibious operations in the Celebes Sea off Borneo . " Jenkins " struck a mine off Tarakan Island 30 April and sailed into Subic Bay for repairs . On 18 June she sailed for the United States to complete repairs , arriving at San Pedro , California 8 July . She remained on the West Coast through the duration of the war . The battle - scarred destroyer decommissioned at San Diego 1 May 1946 . The outbreak of the Korean War necessitated additional naval strength to maintain America ' s worldwide commitments . " Jenkins " recommissioned as DDE - 447 on 2 November 1951 under the command of Commander C . F . McGivern . She departed San Diego 25 February 1952 for a training period at Pearl Harbor . Upon completion of training , she arrived Japan 12 June ; and during the summer she operated with Task Force 77 which furnished air support for the ground forces in Korea . She also engaged in patrol duties off Korea and Taiwan before returning to her home port Pearl Harbor 5 December . She operated out of Pearl until 10 November 1953 when she sailed for another Far Eastern tour . This cruise was highlighted by Korean and Formosan patrols before returning to Pearl Harbor 15 June . From 1954 through 1963 , " Jenkins " sailed annually to the Far East for peacekeeping operations with the 7th Fleet . In her 1958 deployment the 7th Fleet was on ready alert , as the Chinese Communists commenced harassment of the Chinese Nationalist islands of Quemoy and Matsu . During the sixties the 7th Fleet deployments were of greater importance because of the Communist insurgency in Laos and Vietnam . For the greater part of 1964 and 1965 , " Jenkins " operated out of Pearl Harbor . " Jenkins " sailed for the Far East 9 February 1966 and on the 21st was assigned to gunfire support duty and effectively shelled enemy troop concentrations to assist Marine fighting in Vietnam . But for breathers in the Philippines and Japan , she continued this duty until returning to Pearl Harbor 22 July . " Jenkins " operated in Hawaiian waters until entering U . S . Naval Shipyard at Pearl Harbor 11 September for a major overhaul which was completed early in 1967 . The destroyer then prepared for another deployment in the war zone . Honors . " Jenkins " received 14 battle star s for World War II service and 1 star for Korean War service .