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NavSource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive

USS Harold C. Thomas (DE 21)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - D - N - Q
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive)
Second Row: American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/2 stars - WWII Victory Medal
CLASS: Evarts      TYPE: GMT (diesel-electric tandem motor drive, short hull, 3" guns)
Displacement: 1,140 (std), 1,430 tons (full) Dimensions: 289' 5" (oa), 283' 6" (wl) x 35' 0" x 11' 0" (max)
Armament: 3 x 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 x 1.1"/75 Mk2 quad AA (4x1), 9 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 1 Hedgehog Projector
Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks
Machinery: 4 GM Model 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 19 knots Range: 4,150 nm @ 12 knots Crew:15 / 183
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Mare Island NSY on 30 April 1942 as HMS Essington (BDE-21)
Launched on 18 December 1942, retained for USN use, redesignated DE 21
Commissioned 31 May 1943
Decommissioned 26 October 1945, Stricken 28 November 1945
Fate: Sold for scrapping 25 November 1946 to the Pacific Bridge Co. of San Francisco CA,
scrapping begun 26 March 1947
Click On Image
For Full Size Image		 Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
H.C. Thomas 114k 18 December 1942: Distinguished guests at the launching of HMS Essington (BDE-21) are from left to right: Capt Nelson H. Goss, USN (Ret), Mrs Hugo W. Osterhaus, Radm Hugo W. Osterhaus, USN (Ret), Speaker, Mrs. Nelson H. Goss, Sponsor, Radm W. L. Friedell, USN (Shipyard Commandant), Mrs. W. L. Friedell (Matron of Honor), Mr. Luther E. Gibson, and Mrs. Luther E. Gibson. (Navy Photo, DE 21 7944-42) Darryl Baker
H.C. Thomas 112k 18 December 1942: Mrs. Nelson H. Goss, Sponsor is pictured in front of the bow of the HMS Essington (BDE-21) at Mare Island. (Navy Photo, DE 21 7939-42) Darryl Baker
H.C. Thomas 83k 18 December 1942: Radm Hugo W. Osterhaus, USN (Ret) was the guest speaker at the launching of the HMS Essington (BDE-21) at Mare Island. Radm W. L. Friedell, USN (Shipyard Commandant) is to the left of Radm Osterhaus. (Navy Photo, DE 21 7940-42) Darryl Baker
H.C. Thomas 1188k 18 December 1942: Mrs. Nelson H. Goss the Ship's Sponsor is pictured christening the HMS Essington (BDE-21) at Mare Island. From left to right: Radm W. L. Friedell, USN (Shipyard Commandant), Mrs Goss, unidentified Navy officer, and Mrs. W. L. Friedell (Matron of Honor). (Navy Photo, DE 21 7941-42) Darryl Baker
H.C. Thomas 70k port bow, undated Donald T. Livsey
H.C. Thomas 131k the gunnery division Donald T. Livsey via his son Bryan
View the USS Harold C. Thomas (DE 21), DANFS history entry
located on the US Naval Historical Center web site.
View a short article on the design and development of the Evarts Class DE submitted by Bob Sables.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
None
Note About Contacts

Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been
made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only
a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists or rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked
Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.

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Page Last Updated 16 November 2007