Buck DD- 420

Buck

James Buck was born at Baltimore, Md., in 1808 and enlisted in the Navy in 1852. He was awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroic service during the Civil War on board the steamer Brooklyn where, though severely wounded, he stood at the wheel for eight hours and steered the vessel during the engagement with Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the Mississippi River. He died in Baltimore 1 November 1865.

SP-1355, a 33-foot motor boat of 1917-18, was also known as Buck.

(DD-420: dp. 1570; 1. 348'3"; b. 36'1"; dr. 17'4"; s. 37
k.; cpl. 257; a. 4 5", 8 21" TT.;cl. Sims)

Buck (DD-420) was launched 22 May 1939 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. Julius C. Townsend, wife of Rear Admiral Townsend; and commissioned 15 May 1940, Lieutenant Commander H. C. Robison in command.

Buck joined the Atlantic Squadron after a brief period of trial runs. From February until June 1941 she was with the Pacific Fleet and then rejoined the Atlantic Fleet serving on convoy escort duty between the United States and Iceland and along the eastern seaboard.

With the entry of the United States into World War IT Buck continued to serve as a convoy escort, steaming from the seaports of the eastern United States to parts in Newfoundland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, North Africa, and the Caribbean.

On 22 August 1942, during one of these crossings, Buck was hit starboard side aft by SS Atwatea while trying

to escort another vessel of the convoy to her correct position (luring a dense fog. The impact cut about twothirds through Buck'N fantail and broke her keel. Seven of her personnel were lost. The starboard propeller was inoperative and within a few hours the port propeller dropped off. The fantail section, which had been secured by Jines and wires, had to be allowed to sink when it became apparent that it would dainage the hull by banging and chafing. On 26 August Buck, in tow of Cherokee (AT-66), reached Boston where she underwent repair until November. Upon completion of repairs she returned to Atlantic convoy escort duty until June.

Arriving in North Africa 21 June 1943, she was assigned to patrol duty off Tunisia and Algeria and then participated in the invasion of Sicily (10 July-2 August 1943) carrying out bombardment, screening, and patrol duties. On 3 August, while escorting a convoy of six liberty ships from Sicily to Algeria, Bit ck attacked and sank the Italian submarine Argento in 36o52' N., 12o08' E., and took 45 of her crew as prisoners.

Returning to the Mediterranean in late September 1943, after escorting a convoy to the United States, Buck supported the invasion and occupation of Italy. On 9 October 1943 while on patrol off Salerno, Italy, Buck was hit forward by at least one and possibly two torpedoes. The damage sustained w as so complete that the ship had to be abandoned within three minutes after she was hit and she sank a minute later. The loss of life was very heavy. Only 97 of her personnel survived. They were rescued by Weaves (DD-423) and the British LCT-170.

Buck received three battle stars for her World War 11 service.