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USS MEADE (DD-602)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NBJB

CLASS - BENSON As Built.
Displacement 2395 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 348' 4"(oa) x 36' 1" x 13' 2" (Max)
Armament 4 x 5"/38AA, 6 x 0.5" MG, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 50,000 SHP; Bethlehem Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 12 Knots, Crew 208.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY March 25 1941.
Launched February 15 1942 and commissioned June 22 1942.
Decommissioned June 17 1946.
Stricken January 1 1971.
Fate Sunk as target off Florida February 18 1973.

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By
Meade
Photo #: NH 47816 Lieutenant Richard W. Meade III
88kRichard Worsam Meade, born in New York City 9 October 1837, and Robert Lemy Meade, born at Washington, D.C., 26 December 1841, compiled distinguished military careers during the 19th century. They were nephews of Gen. George Gordon Meade who Commanded the Army of the Potomac during the Battle of Gettysburg. Richard Worsam Meade was appointed midshipman 2 October 1850, and prior to the Civil War served in the Mediterranean, West Indian, Pacific, and African Squadrons. He served under Admiral Porter during the Civil War, Commanded Marb1ehead, and took part in action against Confederate batteries along the Stono River, S.C. He later held important shore positions including duty at the Naval Academy. Promoted to rear admiral 7 September 1894, he retired from the Navy in 1895 and died at Washington, D.C., 4 May 1897.

Robert Lemy Meade was commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps 14 June 1862. He commanded a battalion of marines during the suppression of the New York City draft riots in July 1863. He took part in the daring boat attack against Fort Sumter 8 September and was later brevetted for gallant and meritorious service. During the Spanish-American War he served as fleet marine officer in New York and participated in the Battle of Santiago. Promoted to colonel 3 March 1899, he served in China during the Boxer Rebellion and participated in the Battle of Tientsin. For distinguished conduct and public service, he was appointed brigadier general, by brevet, 13 July 1900. He retired 29 June 1906 and died at Lexington, Mass., 11 February 1910.
Bill Gonyo
Meade 82kArtist's conception of the Meade as she appeared in World War II 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
Meade 125kUndated, location unknown.David Buell
Meade 178kMeade (DD-602) under construction at the Bethlehem Steel Company Shipyard, Staten Island, New York, 6 June 1941. This view looks aft along the ship's keel, with some bottom plating in place and a bulkhead erected amidships. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives, photo # 19-N-30822.Robert Hurst
Meade 159kUSS Meade (DD-602) Under construction at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Staten Island, New York, 6 January 1942. Snow is visible on the shipyard grounds and scaffolding. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 138kUSS Meade's Sponsor, Mrs. Moray Nairne Wootton, prepares to christen the ship, during launching ceremonies at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Staten Island, New York, 15 February 1942. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Photo #: 19-N-30817.Robert Hurst
Meade 179kUSS Meade (DD-602) afloat immediately after her launching, at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Staten Island, New York, 15 February 1942. The keel of USS Brownson (DD-518) is being laid on the slipway just vacated by Meade. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 166kUSS Meade (DD-602) Ready for launching, at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Staten Island, New York, 15 February 1942. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 158kUSS Meade (DD-602) off New York City, 20 June 1942, probably during her delivery voyage from the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard at Staten Island. The ship, which is flying her builder's flag, was commissioned two days later. Note her pattern camouflage, measure MS12 (mod). Source: U.S. National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-30842.Benson-Livermore Class Destroyer Website/Mike Green
Meade 117kUSS Meade (DD-602) Off New York City, 20 June 1942, probably during her delivery voyage from the Bethlehem Steel Company's Staten Island shipyard. The ship was placed in commission two days later. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 77kUSS Meade (DD-602) in San Francisco Bay, California, 11 September 1944. photographed by the Mare Island Navy Yard. Meade is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, design 6d (USN Photo No 19-N-71186).Robert Hurst
Meade 87kUSS Meade (DD-602) In San Francisco Bay, California, 11 September 1944. Photographed by the Mare Island Navy Yard. Meade is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 6d. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 87kUSS Meade (DD-602) In San Francisco Bay, California, 11 September 1944. Photographed by the Mare Island Navy Yard. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 79kUSS Meade (DD-602) Depth charge exploding astern, after it was dropped from the destroyer's stern depth charge racks, circa 1944. Meade is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 6d, which is partially visible on her after smokestack, in the foreground of the photograph. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Fred Weiss
Meade 143kNavy Photo 5626-44, forward plan view of USS Meade (DD 602) at Mare Island on 7 Sep 1944.Darryl Baker
Meade 131kNavy Photo 5628-44, aft plan view of USS Meade (DD 602) at Mare Island on 7 Sep 1944.Darryl Baker
Meade 89kNavy Photo 5743-44, stern view of USS Meade (DD 602) off San Francisco on 11 Sep 1944.Darryl Baker
Meade 99kNavy Photo 5745-44, broadside view of USS Meade (DD 602) off San Francisco on 11 Sep 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 26 July until 14 Sep. 1944.Darryl Baker
Meade 109kNavy Photo 5748-44, bow on view of USS Meade (DD 602) off San Francisco on 11 Sep 1944.Darryl Baker
Meade 174kLeft-to-right are USS Parker (DD-604), USS Meade (DD-602), USS Ordronaux (DD-617), and USS Hobby (DD-610) as seen in a 1970 nest at the Orange, Texas Inactive Ship Facility. This is an incidental view to a series of photos of USS Hobby's first reunion, with an uncommon chance of all four wearing the larger bow numerals. Photo is by Joe Buya, courtesy of Ray and Betty Simons.John Chiquoine
Click here to see additional image(s) of this ship on our Orange, Texas Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (ISMF) Special Feature page

USS MEADE DD-602 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

LCDR Raymond Starr Lamb    Jun 22 1942 - Jun 10 1943
LCDR John Munholland    Jun 10 1943 - Oct 11 1944
CDR Richard Gary Colbert    Oct 11 1944 - Dec 12 1945 (Later ADM)
LCDR Robert Stephen Guy    Dec 12 1945 - Jun 17 1946

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Jeff Haller
Address: 4704 Caminito Girasol, San Diego, CA 92130
Phone: (858) 793-0487
E-mail: jhaller@san.rr.com or jhaller@gia.edu


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
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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