Inch DE-146

Inch

(DE-146: dp. 1,200, 1. 30d'; b. 36'7", dr. 8'7"; s. 21 k.;
cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 2 40mm., 8 20mm., 2 dct., 8 dcp. 1 dcp.
(h.h.), 3 tt.; cl. Edsall)

Inch (DE-146) was laid down 19 January 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp, Orange, Tex., launched 4 April 1943 sponsored by Mrs. Philip L. Inch, daughter in-law of Admiral Inch; and commissioned 8 September 1943, Lt. Comdr. C. W. Frey in command.

Following shakedown off Bermuda, Inch began convoy escort operations from New York to Norfolk. 13larly ih 1945 she Joined a special hunter-killer group in the Atlantic, built around escort carrier Oroatan. The ships sailed 24 March for the convoy lanes to search for German U-boats. During the months that followed, Inch took part in many attacks on submarines. On the evening of 11 June the ship, in company with Froet and ITu~e, made a contaot and proceeded to attack. After over 40 depth charges, the submafine surfaced, signalling SOS. Suspecta ruse, Inch and her companions opened fire and destroyed U-490. The entire crew of 60 German sailors was rescued by the escorts.

Soon after tho attack on U-490, the escort vousels, operating as usual in concert with aircraft from Oroatan, detected another submarine. They attacked 3 July and scored another kill, this time on U-154. Inch remained on this vital duty, so important in stopping the German submarine menace, until reaching New York 14 May 1945. She had had only brief' in-port periods the preceding year, and after repairs conducted her second shakedown out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With the war in the Atlantic won, Inch sailed to the Pacitic, departing the Canal Zone 23 July. She touched at San Diego and Pearl Harbor, and remained in Elawaiian waters for exercises designed to train her for the planned invasion of Japan. Soon after her arrival 12 August, however, the capitulation was announced.

AMer completing training and readiness exercises, Inch sailed 5 September for Norfolk, via the Panama Canal, and arrived 28 September 1945. She decommissioned 17 May 1946, entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, and is now berthed at Norfolk.

Inch received four battle stars for World War II service.