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USS HUDSON (DD-475)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NBAV

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 6 x 40mm, 10/11 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; Allis Chalmers Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Boston Navy Yard February 20 1942.
Launched June 3 1942 and commissioned April 13 1943.
Decommissioned May 31 1946.
Stricken December 1 1972.
Fate Sold November 27 1973 and broken up for scrap.

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Hudson 44kCapt. William L. Hudson (1794-1862) served as Boston Navy Yard Commandant from April 1859 to June1862. Under his command, the yard mobilized to meet the needs of a rapidly-expanding Navy as a result of the outbreak of the Civil War. Appointed a midshipman in 1816, his first command was USS Peacock from 1838 to her loss in June 1841. He later commanded USS Vincennes and USS Niagara. He died only a few months after being relieved as yard commandant. The Boston-built destroyer USS Hudson (DD-475) was named in Capt. Hudson’s honor. (Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-7169)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP HUDSON

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"“For outstanding heroism in action as a fighter direction ship on radar picket station during the Okinawa Campaign, from 1 April to 10 May 1945. A gallant fighting ship, the HUDSON, her officers and her men withstood the stress and perils of vital radar picket duty to prevent the Japanese from striking in force the Naval forces off the Okinawa beachhead; achieving a distinctive combat record which attest the teamwork, courage and skill of her entire company and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. HUDSON from April 1, to May 10, 1945, are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
Hudson 82kArtist's conception of the Hudson as she appeared after original construction by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Hudson 78kArtist's conception of a cutaway view of the Hudson by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Hudson 119kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Hudson 75kUndated, laid up in mothballs at Long Beach, California. From left to right are USS Charles J. Badger (DD-657), USS Stemble (DD-644), USS Wiley (DD-597), USS Hudson (DD-475) and USS Hall (DD-583).Robert Hurst
Hudson 144kChristening of USS Hudson (DD-475), a ship named in honor of the Boston Navy Yard's Civil War commandant, on 3 June 1942. The ship’s sponsor was Mrs. Flaurence Ward Hough, the wife of Rear Admiral Henry H. Hough, who had served as yard Commandant in the early 1930s. (U.S. Navy photograph # NYBOS 2357-42, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11440)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Hudson 93kThe christening bottle cover from the launch of USS Hudson (DD-475) in its original presentation box is displayed in the “Serving the Naval Fleet” exhibit in the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center of Boston National Historical Park. (National Park Service photograph by Brooke A. Childrey, Boston National Historical Park Collection)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Hudson 105kLaunch of USS Hudson (DD-475) from Shipways 1 at the Boston Navy Yard on 3 June 1942. (U.S. Navy photograph, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11440)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Hudson 96kLaunching June 3 1942 at the Boston Navy Yard. Leslie Jones Collection, Boston Public Library.Ed Zajkowski
Hudson 54kUSS Hudson (DD-475) 13 May 1943 at the Boston NY one month after her commissioning on 13 April 1943. The Hudson was completed to the three twin 40mm gun mounts and 11-20mm guns standard.Rick E. Davis
Hudson 105kStern view of USS Hudson (DD-475) “in stream” in Boston Harbor on 13 May 1943. (U.S. Navy photograph #NYBos 2079-43, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-11439)Stephen P. Carlson, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard
Hudson 116k USS HUDSON (DD-475) coming alongside USS NEW MEXICO (BB-40) on 14-15 June 1944 during the invasions of Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands. Official USN photo from National Archives collection; 80-G-236501.Rick E. Davis
Hudson 148kUSS Hudson, DD-475, rescues the crew of a TBM shot down by a Japanese plane, 3000 yards off Guam, 21 July 1944. NARA Photo. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 13d.Fred Weiss
Hudson 38kTaken before WW II ended in 1944 or 45.Bob Ross
Hudson 211kSigsbee (DD-502) tied alongside Hudson (DD-475) during the week of May 13, 1945 at Guam. A false stern has been fabricated by the floating drydock crew in preparation for the tow to Pearl. E Lopez collection.John Chiquoine
Hudson 27kJohn B. Pratt, son of Admiral Richard Rockwell Pratt, presented the eighty pound bell of the USS Hudson (DD-475) to his Dad on Christmas Day 2004. Admiral Pratt commanded the USS Hudson (DD-475) from 1943-1945. CDR. Richard Rockwell Pratt was awarded the Navy Cross twice for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUDSON (DD-475) during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa in 1945. Prior to the Okinawa campaign he was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUDSON (DD-475), in action against enemy Japanese-held Guam, on 20 July 1944; the Palau Islands from 30 March to 1 April 1944; and during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, in June 1944. Handling his ship with skill and courage, Commander Pratt contributed greatly to the subsequent success of these operations. His conduct and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.Hugh Hudson III

USS HUDSON DD-475 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves

CDR William Renwick Smedberg III    Apr 13 1943 - Dec 23 1943 (Later VADM)
CDR Richard Rockwell Pratt    Dec 23 1943 - Aug 1 1945 (Later RADM)
LCDR Raphael Andrew Zoeller    Aug 1 1945 - May 31 1946

Commanding Officers
Additions, corrections and updates are appreciated




Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Robert (Bob) Ross
Address:
Phone:
E-mail: bobrsr@comcast.net


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Hudson/DesRon 45 website
USS Hudson website
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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