USS McClelland ( DE - 750 ) USS " McClelland " ( DE - 750 ) 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 . Post - war she was reassigned as a training vessel . She was named in honor of Ensign Thomas Alfred McClelland , who was reported dead after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , on 7 December 1941 . The ship was laid down on 21 July 1943 by the Western Pipe and Steel Company , San Pedro , California , launched on 28 November 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs . T . A . McClelland , widow of Ensign McClelland ; and commissioned on 19 September 1944 , Lt . Comdr . Glendon D . Williams , in command . World War II Pacific Theatre operations . " McClelland " departed the west coast for Pearl Harbor on 11 December 1944 . There , until 24 January 1945 , she received further training in anti - submarine and anti - aircraft warfare in preparation for the assault on the Volcano Islands . By the end of January she was in the screen for task group TG 51 . 5 bound for Iwo Jima . She arrived off that island on 20 February , the day after the initial landings . Under attack by Kamikaze planes . On the 21st , TG 51 . 5 was attacked by three suicide planes ; two scored hits on ships of the main body while the third was splashed . The next day , the combined fire of the group destroyed four more enemy aircraft as they went into their attack dive . Following this action , " McClelland " assumed anti - submarine screening duties and HUK activities to the north and west of the island . Supporting Okinawa invasion operations . On 28 February , the destroyer escort steamed to Espiritu Santo to prepare for the Okinawa offensive . She arrived off Okinawa on 9 April , remaining until 8 June . During that long , bitter campaign she took part in the capture of Isuken Shima ; performed escort services among the Ryukyus , and helped to maintain the anti - air and anti - submarine screen . While she was patrolling on the latter duty , on 1 June , a kamikaze pilot dived from astern . " McClelland ' s " gunfire and fast maneuvering caused the airplane to splash when 25 yards off her starboard beam . On 8 June , " McClelland " steamed to Saipan . On 4 July she joined the U . S . 3rd Fleet ' s logistics task group east of Japan . She screened that group , TG 30 . 8 , as they provisioned units of TF 38 , then striking the Japanese homeland . On 21 July she departed the area , escorting to Eniwetok , Ulithi , and Leyte . The two ships rejoined TG 30 . 8 , 21 August , and after the signing of the official surrender document , sailed for Ulithi . End - of - War activity . " McClelland " arrived in Japanese waters on 27 September , remaining in Tokyo until 12 October when she sailed for the United States . She arrived Norfolk , Virginia , on 2 December , and 5 January 1946 departed for Green Cove Springs , Florida . There she decommissioned on 15 May and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet . Reassigned as training vessel . The following September , " McClelland " was placed in service and assigned to the 7th Naval District as a Reserve training vessel , operating out of Jacksonville , Florida . After the disestablishment of that district , she continued her training duties in the same area under the authority of the Commander , 6th Naval District . On 14 July 1950 the ship was placed in commission , in reserve , at Charleston , South Carolina . She conducted weekend and summer cruise programs for naval reservists of the 6th Naval District until 1959 . Her summer cruises during this time took her as far north as St . John ' s , Newfoundland ; as far south as Barranquilla , Colombia ; and as far east as Cadiz , Spain . Final decommissioning . In 1959 she was transferred to Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , and at the end of the year began deactivation for a second time . On 12 September 1960 , she decommissioned and entered the Atlantic Inactive Fleet . She remained berthed at Philadelphia until sold for scrapping on 1 November 1973 . Awards . " McClelland " received three battle star s for World War II service . Dedication . The " McClelland " participated in the dedication of Port Canaveral , Florida on 4 November 1953 .