USS DeLong (DE-684)

For other ships with the same name, see USS DeLong.

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History
United States
Name:	USS DeLong (DE-684)
Namesake:	Weldon Fader DeLong
Awarded:	29 October 1942
Builder:	Bethlehem Steel Company
Laid down:	19 October 1943
Launched:	23 November 1943
Acquired:	31 December 1943
Commissioned:	31 December 1943
Decommissioned:	1 August 1962 (Final)
Out of service:	8 August 1969
Struck:	8 August 1969
Fate:	Sunk as target 19 February 1970
Status:	Sunk
General characteristics
Class & type:	Rudderow-class destroyer escort
Displacement:	1,450 tons
Length:	306 ft (93 m)
Beam:	37 ft (11 m)
Draft:	9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
Propulsion:	2 CE boilers, G.E. turbines with electric drive, 12000 shp, 2 screws
Speed:	24 knots
Range:	5,050 nm, at 12 knots
Complement:	186
Armament:	2 x 5", 3 x 21" torpedo tubes, 8 x depth charge projectors, 1 x depth charge projector (hedge hog type), 2 x depth charge tracks
Aircraft carried:	none

USS DeLong (DE-684) was a Rudderow-class destroyer escort built at Quincy, Massachusetts, was launched on 23 November 1943 and was commissioned on 31 December 1943, Lt. Comdr. R.C. Houston in command. It was named after Weldon Fader DeLong, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his action at Guadalcanal.

During World War II DeLong served primarily as a training ship for officers and men that were about to embark on ships assigned to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties. In early 1946 DeLong was decommissioned and assigned to the Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Following the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, DeLong was reactivated and on 7 February 1951 was again commissioned.

After a short training period DeLong was assigned to Escort Squadron Eight, Destroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. During this period of service DeLong participated in several Fleet Exercises and Midshipmen Cruises. In addition to routine fleet support missions, DeLong often served as a training ship for the Fleet Sonar School, Key West, Florida. On 3 January 1958, DeLong was assigned Group II status, joining the newly formed Reserve ASW Program in the 3d Naval District.

During the Berlin Crisis of 1960-1961, DeLong was assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet as part of Escort Squadron 18 and homeported in Newport, Rhode Island. During this period DeLong operated extensively in the Caribbean area. On 1 August 1961, DeLong resumed her Group II status, operating under Commander, Naval Reserve Destroyer Division, 3d Naval District.

DeLong was decommissioned and struck from naval records in the late 1960s and was sunk as a target on 19 February 1970.

Military awards and honors

	Navy Expeditionary Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	World War II Victory Medal
	National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)

Scale Model

A 1/300 scale plastic model kit of the USS Delong was made by the Lindberg scale model company.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
• NavSource Online

External links

• DeLong family at DE-684's christening
• USS DeLong at history.navy.mil, archived at archive.org