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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive

USS Gaynier (DE 751)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - Z - X - B
Specifications:
Class: Cannon
Type: DET (diesel-electric tandem motor drive, long hull, 3" guns)
Displacement: 1240 tons (light), 1620 tons (full)
Length: 300' (wl), 306' (oa)
Beam: 36' 10" (extreme)
Draft: 10' 6" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 4 GM Mod. 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 21 kts
Range: 10,800 nm @ 12 knots
Armament: 3 x 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 twin 40mm Mk1 AA, 8 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 3 x 21" Mk15 TT (3x1), 1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks
Complement: 15 / 201
Gaynier (DE 751) Building and Operational Data:
  • 4 August 1943: Keel laid as DE 751 by the Western Pipe & Steel Co., San Pedro, Cal.
  • 3 September 1943: Named Gaynier (DE 751)
  • 30 January 1944: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Ireta Gaynier, widow of Ensign Gaynier
  • 6 June 1944: Construction suspended
  • 1 September 1944: Construction cancelled, broken up on the building way
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    By And/Or Copyright
    Gaynier 8k Oswald Joseph Gaynier, born 4 March 1915 in Monroe, Mich., enlisted in the Naval Reserve as Seaman Second Class 3 October 1940 and was appointed Aviation Cadet 10 December. Commissioned Ensign 3 June 1941, he was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 8 in Hornet (CV 8) on 25 August. During the opening phases of the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942, Torpedo Squadron 8 launched a courageous attack against carriers of the Japanese Striking Force. Lacking fighter-plane protection and beset on all sides by enemy fighters, the valiant American pilots pressed home the attack in the face of withering antiaircraft fire from a seemingly impenetrable screen of cruisers and destroyers. All members of the squadron but one were killed during the attack. Ensign Gaynier was one of those who so gallantly sacrificed his life for his country and the American victory that followed. For his extraordinary heroism and meritorious devotion to duty, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

    USS Gaynier (DE 751) was the first ship to be named in his honor.

    		Bill Gonyo
    View the USS Gaynier (DE 751) DANFS history entry
    located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.
    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.

    Additional Resources
    Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
    Tin Can Sailors
    The Destroyer History Foundation
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    Page Last Updated 8 June 2009