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USS TWIGGS (DD-591)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NIKN

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign (circa 1945) - GABRIEL

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 10 x 40mm, 7 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
Built by Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, SC
Laid down 20 January 1943
Launched 07 April 1943
Commissioned 04 November 1943
Sunk by Japanese aircraft off Okinawa 16 June 1945
Stricken from Naval Register 11 July 1945
Wreck donated to government of Ryukyu Islands 1957
Twiggs earned 4 battle stars during the war.
126 of her crew of 314 were lost with the ship and remain on duty.

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Size Image Description Contributed
By
Namesake
Twiggs
0512707
Twiggs
0512725
225k




30k
Levi Twiggs was born in Richmond County, Georgia, 21 May 1793, the sixth son of Major General John Twiggs. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on 10 November 1813. During the War of 1812, he saw action on board President and was captured when that frigate was taken, after a gallant defense, by a squadron of four British warships. After being imprisoned on Bermuda, he was freed when word of the Treaty of Ghent reached that island. Over two decades later, he took part in the Indian Wars in Florida and Georgia during 1836-1837. When the war with Mexico opened, Major Twiggs requested an active part in the fighting and was attached to the Marine Battalion which left New York in June 1847. He was felled by enemy fire as he led a storming party in the assault on Chapultepec before Mexico City on 13 September 1847. During the battle at Chapultepec, 90 percent of the Marine officers and noncommissioned officers who fought were killed. In honor of these officers and NCOs, Marine Corps tradition maintains that all officers and noncommissioned officers shall be entitled to wear a red stripe on the trousers of the Dress Blue Uniform. Commonly referred to as the blood stripe, it serves as a reminder to all Marines of the blood that was shed in the capture of Chapultepec.
0512707: Library of Congress photo digital ID: cph 3g06207
0512725: Painting of Major Levi Twiggs, source unknown
[1] Robert M. Cieri / Dave Wright




[2] Dave Wright
Twiggs
0559123
307kLevi Twiggs' grave memorial in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PAAnonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559124
300kInscription on Levi Twiggs' grave memorial in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PAAnonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
USS Twiggs (DD-591)
Twiggs
0559110
38kUndated, location unknown.
Bureau of Ships photo BS58063 (19-LCM-DD-591-58063)
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559012
205kCharleston Navy Yard, 20 January 1943. Keel laying ceremonies for USS Paul Hamilton (DD-590) and USS Twiggs (DD-591). The keel was officially laid by striking three arcs simutaneously on the keel of each vessel by the wives of junior officers, assisted by their husbands. View showing the combined group of both vessesls.Mike Mohl
Twiggs
0559013
222kCharleston Navy Yard, 20 January 1943. Keel laying ceremonies for USS Paul Hamilton (DD-590) & USS Twiggs (DD-591).Mike Mohl
Twiggs
0559114
99kTwiggs on the ways prior to launching, early 1943.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559011
152kCharleston Navy Yard, 07 April 1943. Colonel Paul A. Capron, USMC, commanding officer, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Charleston, SC, speaking on the life of Major Levi Twiggs at the launching of USS Twiggs and USS Paul Hamilton (DD-590).Mike Mohl
Twiggs
0559004
520kUSS Paul Hamilton (DD-590) and USS Twiggs (DD-591) ready for launching at the Charleston Navy Yard, 07 April 1943.
National Archives photo 80-G-K-13833
Scott Dyben
Twiggs
0559111
84kTwiggs in stream after launching, 07 April 1943.
National Archives photo 19-LCM-DD-591-126957
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559112
152kTwiggs passing under the Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, SC, early 1944.
National Archives photo 19-LCM-DD591-58066
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559113
124kTwiggs passing under the Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, SC, early 1944.
National Archives photo 19-LCM-DD-591-58062
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559106
212kTwiggs off Charleston, South Carolina, 19 January 1944.
National Archives photo 19-LCM-DD-591-58060 (File 1-19-44-12)
Gerd Matthes
Twiggs
0559115
174kTwiggs off Charleston, South Carolina, 19 January 1944.
National Archives photo 19-LCM-DD-591-58065 (File 1-19-44-17)
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs 122kTwiggs off Charleston, South Carolina, 19 January 1944.
National Archives photo 19-LCM-DD-591-58064 (File 1-19-44-18)
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559120
185kUSS Twiggs (DD-591) underway off Hampton Roads, 07 February 1944. photographed by Naval Air Station Weeksville at position: 36°54', 75°13'; Course: 265; Time: 1414; Altitude: 300'; Camera: K-20; F.L. 4.5"; Shutter speed: f/250. On this date, Twiggs rendezvoused with cruiser Miami (CL-89) in Delaware Bay and screened the new cruiser to Norfolk.
National Archives photo 80-G-215535
Mike Green
Twiggs
0559126

Twiggs
0559127
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108k
Two photos of Twiggs moored dockside to Pier 5, Norfolk, February 1944. Photos taken by MM1c Robert G. Hill.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs survivor Robert G. Hill, MM1c
Twiggs
0559125
122kUSS Twiggs (DD-591) after being rammed by freighter James Ellwood Jones, Norfolk, VA, 05 March 1944. Twiggs was backing out into the channel and was rammed by the freighter coming up the channel. One man (Joseph Charles Arrison, MM3c, USNR) was killed and five were injured. Arrison's body was not found until 17 April, washed up on a beach near the mouth of the Elizabeth River.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559132
120kUSS Twiggs wardroom party, circa 1944. Left-right: Lt. Albert Hughes, Communications Officer (KIA); Nancy Burke; Lt. Edwin "Ned" Burke, Executive Officer (WIA/Trans. 4/29/45); Engineering Officer Lt. Thomas Shields (Trans. 6/10/45 ); Lt.(jg) Victor Juric. First Lieutenant (KIA). Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559107
119kLieutenant Abe Forsythe, Jr. (far left in the bottom row) pictured with officers of USS Twiggs (DD-591). Forsythe, a pilot with VC-76 off USS Petrof Bay (CVE 80), was picked up by Twiggs after ditching his FM-2 Wildcat during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, 25 October 1944. Front row (left to right): Abe Forsythe; Lt. (jg) Thomas Sharar, Asst. Engineer (KIA); Lt. Thomas Shields, Engineer (Transferred). Back row (left to right): Lt. James Black, Gunnery (WIA); Lt. John Abbot, Navigator/Torpedo (KIA); Lt. Edwin "Ned" Burke, Executive (WIA); Lt. Joseph Federowicz, Ship Physician (KIA).
Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum
Bill Gonyo
Twiggs
0559108
145kLieutenant Abe Forsythe, Jr., pictured on the deck of USS Twiggs (DD-591). Forsythe, a pilot with VC-76 off USS Petrof Bay (CVE 80) was picked up by Twiggs after ditching his FM-2 Wildcat during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, 25 October 1944.
Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum
Bill Gonyo
Twiggs   Twiggs   Twiggs
Crossing the Line ceremonies aboard USS Twiggs (DD-591), 01 October 1944. This ceremony took place while Twiggs was enroute to Manus, Admiralty Islands, with Task Group 33.2. The artwork on the pamphlet cover was done by Billy Cooksey, Water Tender Third Class. The second image is of the initiation ceremony in progress, As pictured left to right are the following Shellbacks: The Royal Baby, Chief Radioman Warner Chaney (KIA); King Neptune, Chief Commissary Steward, Axel Thorell (Transferred); Royal Queen, Lt. George Stransky, Damage Control Officer(KIA). The third picture is also of the Shellbacks initiating the Pollywogs.
Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0558509
62kUSS Haraden (DD-585) after being hit by a Kamikaze in the Sulu Sea, 13 December 1944, while enroute to the Mindoro invasion. USS Twiggs (DD-591) is alongside rendering assistance. Photographed from USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). Haraden is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 3D (for drawings of this design, see Photo #s 80-G-158591 and 80-G-158592). Twiggs is wearing Camouflage Measure 32, Design 6D (see Photo #s 80-G-162024 and 80-G-162025).
National Archives photo 80-G-273000
Robert Hurst
Twiggs
0559131
159kUSS Twiggs shipmates, probably early 1945. Personnel (left to right): Front row: Joseph McDonough (WIA); Albert Emig (KIA); Samuel Grimone (KIA); Edward Murphy (KIA). Second row: Larry Underwood (Trans. 4/29/45); John Hallen (WIA); Daniel McCormack (Survivor). Back row: William Heagy (WIA); CRT Raymond Grim (WIA). Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559130
325kUSS Twiggs (DD-591) beach party at Ulithi, early 1945. Personnel (left to right): front row: CMM Charles Schmidt (Survivor). Sitting: CSM Gordon Bettis (KIA); CBM Ernest Roy Barton (KIA); CTM Henry Paysinger (KIA); Lt.(jg) Arthur Breaux (KIA). Kneeling: Ens. Robert Green (KIA); CFC John McIssac (Trans 5/29/45). Lt. George Stransky (KIA); Lt.(jg) Robert Wiltgen (KIA); Lt.James Black, Executive Officer (WIA). Back row: Lt,Thomas Shields (Trans. 6/10/45); Lt. Edwin "Ned" Burke, Executive Officer (WIA/Trans. 4/28/45); Lt. Joseph Federowicz, Physician (KIA); Lt.(jg) Victor Juric (KIA); Lt. Burton Harris (KIA); Ens, Robert Stanton (not aboard, was attending Control Officer's School at Pearl when Twiggs was sunk); CWT Henry Payne (KIA).Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559119
133kUSS Twiggs off Iwo Jima, with Mount Suribachi prominent in the background, 17 February 1945, as seen from the LCI-474.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559128
127kUSS Twiggs (DD-591) closing the range off Iwo Jima, as seen from Nevada (BB-36), February 1945.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559129
134kUSS Twiggs (DD-591) alongside the repair ship USS Nestor (ARB-6), in the Kerama Retto "boneyard", May 1945. Tarpaulins conceal damage sustained from the Kamikaze hit on 28 April 1945, while on Radar Picket Station #2, north of Okinawa. 10 men were killed and 15 wounded. A steel plate was welded over the damaged area, and Twiggs returned to the fight. This photo was retrieved from Commander George Philip's wallet, which washed ashore when Twiggs was sunk 16 June 1945, southwest of Naha, and was returned to his family.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559134
511kA drawing by Twiggs survivor Lee W. Farrow, SM2c, of USS Twiggs (DD591) in her death throes southwest of Naha, Okinawa, on 16 June 1945. A single Japanese B6N 'Jill' dropped an aerial torpedo hitting Twiggs on the port side forward of the bridge exploding her two forward magazines. The pilot circled around and made a kamikaze suicide crash into a 40mm gun tub back aft. Of the 314 men aboard, 126 were KIA, including her skipper Commander George Philip, Jr. There were 188 survivors, which included the wounded.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs survivor Lee W. Farrow, SM2c
Twiggs
0559135
26kThe only known surviving piece of the exploding USS Twiggs (DD-591). Earl Bauer, who was a signalman aboard the USS Putnam (DD-757), observed this jagged piece of the exploding Twiggs land red hot into the Putnam's flag bag. He retrieved it the next morning, This blackened, twisted, 2" long artifact was donated to the National Museum of the Pacific War in November 2022.Anonymous donor in memory of Earl Bauer, signalman, aboard the rescue ship USS Putnam (DD-757)
Twiggs
0559117

Twiggs
0559118
31k




18k
Jeanie, the mascot of the USS Twiggs (DD-591). Jeanie had five male puppies, born during the Leyte invasion. A photograph of the puppies is attached. When Twiggs was lost on 16 June 1945, Jeanie went down with the ship. Unfortunately, the fate of the five puppies is uncertain.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Memorabilia
Twiggs
0559133
64kUSS Twiggs (DD-591) commemorative envelope postmarked 07 April 1943, the date the destroyer was launched at the Charleston Navy Yard.Anonymous donor in memory of Twiggs and her crew
Twiggs
0559103
129kShip's patch.Don McGrogan

USS TWIGGS DD-591 History
View This Vessels DANFS History entry at the Naval History & Heritage Command website

Commanding Officers
01CDR John Benjamin Fellows, Jr. (USNA 1931)04 November 1943 - 06 April 1944
02CDR George Philip, Jr. (USNA 1935)06 April 1944 - 16 June 1945 †

Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 17 October 2022