USS Hammann ( DD - 412 ) USS " Hammann " ( DD - 412 ) was a World War II - era " Sims " - class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy , named after Ensign Charles Hammann , a Medal of Honor recipient killed during World War I . " Hammann " was sunk during the Battle of Midway , trying to assist the sinking aircraft carrier USS " Yorktown " . " Hammann " was launched by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company , Kearny , New Jersey on 4 February 1939 ; sponsored by Miss Lillian Hammann ; and commissioned on 11 August 1939 , Commander Arnold E . True in command . " Hammann " conducted shakedown off the East Coast and for the next two years participated in training and readiness operations off both coasts . Service history . Pacific Duty . At Iceland on 7 December 1941 , she quickly returned to Norfolk , Virginia , for fuel and supplies , and departed on 6 January 1942 , 5 months before her destruction , for the Pacific . She arrived San Francisco on 22 January via the Panama Canal and sailed on 25 February with Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher ' s Task Force 17 for action in the South Pacific . The destroyer took part in training maneuvers in the New Caledonia area during early March , and on 27 March the Task Force departed for the Coral Sea . " Hammann " acted as screening ship and plane guard for , Returning to Tongatapu on 20 April , the Task Force sortled again into the Coral Sea on 27 April for a surprise air raid on Japanese Invasion forces on Tulagi . While screening the carriers during the air raids of 4 May , " Hammann " was directed to rescue two fighter pilots downed on Guadalcanal , some 40 miles ( 65 km ) to the north . Steaming at full speed , the destroyer arrived at dusk and sighted a marker on the beach , which proved to be a parachute . The motor whaleboat was put over the side , but dangerous surf prevented it from landing . Consequently , the pilots were recovered with the use of lines from the boat . This accomplished , an attempt was made to destroy the wreckage of the aircraft , but the rough water made this impossible , and " Hammann " returned to " Lexington " s screen from this successful operation that night . The Battle of the Coral Sea . On 8 May came the main action of the Battle of the Coral Sea , the first naval engagement fought entirely on both sides between aircraft and ships . During the exchange of air attacks , " Hammann " screened the carriers , firing at Japanese torpedo planes as they attacked . Just as the torpedo planes retired , dive bombers appeared , one exploding a bomb a scant 200 yards ( 200 m ) off " Hammann " s starboard bow . " Lexington " , which had taken two devastating torpedo hits to port , was first thought to be under control , but a large internal explosion shortly before 1300 , followed later by others , sealed her fate . As the order was given to abandon ship , " Hammann " , , and stood by to receive survivors . The destroyer picked up nearly 500 men from the water before " Lady " Lex " " went down the night of 8 May , torpedoed by . The Battle of Midway . The Battle of the Coral Sea , which checked the Japanese advance to the southeast , was over , but new demands called " Hammann " to the north . Under urgent orders from Admiral Chester Nimitz to meet a new threat , " Hammann " moved to Pearl Harbor with the Task Force , arriving on 27 May . After making repairs , it got underway on 30 May and was just in time to take part in the Battle of Midway . During the air battle on 4 June , " Hammann " screened , helping to shoot down many of the attacking aircraft . However , the carrier took two torpedo hits and , listing heavily , was abandoned that afternoon . " Hammann " picked up survivors in the water , including " Yorktown " s skipper , Captain Buckmaster , and transferred them to the larger ships . Efforts were mounted to save the stricken carrier on the next morning . A skeleton crew returned on board the " Yorktown " , and attempts were made to tow her to safety . " Hammann " came alongside on 6 June to transfer a damage control party . The destroyer then lay alongside , providing hoses and water for firefighting , power , and other services while tied up next to the carrier . The salvage party was making progress when the protective screen was penetrated by after noon on 6 June . Four torpedoes were loosed ; two missed , one passed under " Hammann " and hit " Yorktown " , and the fourth hit the destroyer amidships , breaking her back . As the debris from the explosion rained down and the ships lurched apart , it was apparent that the " Hammann " was doomed . Life rafts were lowered and rescue efforts began by ships in company . The ship sank , bow first , in just 4 minutes , and following the sinking a violent underwater explosion , likely from the destroyer ' s depth charges and torpedoes going off , caused many deaths in the water , bringing the toll in dead to 80 . Survivors were taken aboard and . Awards . " Hammann " s skipper , Commander Arnold True , was awarded the Navy Cross and a Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his performance while in command of " Hammann " at Coral Sea and Midway . " Hammann " also received two battle stars for her service in World War II .