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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive

USS Walter S. Brown (DE 258)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - G - K - B
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 - European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal w/ 1 star - World War II Victory Medal
Specifications:
Class: Evarts
Type: GMT (diesel-electric tandem motor drive, short hull, 3" guns)
Displacement: 1,140 tons (light), 1,430 tons (full)
Length: 283' 6" (wl), 289' 5" (oa)
Beam: 35' 0" (extreme)
Draft: 11' 0" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 4 GM Model 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 19 kts
Range: 4,150 nm @ 12 knots
Armament: 3 - 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 - 1.1"/75 cal. 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
Complement: 15 / 183
Walter S. Brown (DE 258) Building and Operational Data:
  • 10 January 1943: Keel laid by the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Mass.
  • 22 February 1943: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Garth Thomas
  • 25 June 1943: Commissioned, Lcdr. W. L. Harmon in command
  • 04 October 1945: Decommissioned while moored at the 35th St. pier, Brooklyn, N.Y. after 2 years and 3⅓ months of service
  • 24 October 1945: Struck from the NVR
  • February 1946: Scrapping completed at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y.
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Walter S. Brown
    0625702    		 324k Walter S. Brown and a sister ship at anchor. The tender in the background, behind what appears to be two four-pipers, is the USS Webster (ARV 2). It was, I think, the tender for Div 5. John W. Keiter
    Walter S. Brown
    0625702    		 205k Brown at sea
    Walter S. Brown
    0625703    		 204k Looking over Brown's stern at Gibraltar
    Walter S. Brown
    0625704    		 223k Believed to be the USS Dobler (DE 48), taken from Brown
    Walter S. Brown
    0625730    		 324k 30 April 1944: Bayonne, New Jersey - Walter S. Brown (DE 258) off the New York Navy Yard Annex. The date on the photo is incorrect. Brown was in the Navy Yard Annex for a scheuled yard period from 04 April 1944 to 14 April 1944 when she departed for the New London Operating Area for a training period. She arrived at NOB Norfolk on 21 April and departed for the Mediterranean on 22 April with Convoy UCS40. On 30 April she was underway in the Eastern Atlantic. Darryl Baker
    PNCM, USNR (ret.)

    Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
    Lt. E. S. Keiter Photos (from his son, John W. Keiter)
    237k
    Walter S. Brown
    Delivering mail to Brown.    		 81k
    Walter S. Brown
    The ship's mascot.    		 88k
    Walter S. Brown
    The engine room gang working on a diesel.
    Lcdr Wayne L. Hill, Sr. (1912-1997), Engineering
    Officer, overlooks the work being done.    		 67k
    Walter S. Brown
    Painting the flying bridge.
    79k
    Walter S. Brown
    Dinner in the wardroom.    		 228k
    Walter S. Brown
    Brown's crew at movie call.    		 69k
    Walter S. Brown
    Inspection at sea.    		 67k
    Walter S. Brown
    Making smoke.
    82k
    Walter S. Brown
    An appendectomy being performed on a
    sailor from another ship in the wardroom.
    The incident was mentioned in the log.    		 55k
    Walter S. Brown
    Officers on the bridge.    		 350k
    Walter S. Brown
    Off duty officers relaxing. John's dad,
    Lt. E.S. Keiter is lying on the cot.    		 361k
    Walter S. Brown
    Refueling, notice the PT boat with
    torpedos on the oiler's deck.
    MM1 Christopher J. Schmitt Photos (from his son, Chris Schmitt)
    56k
    Walter S. Brown
    looking up at
    Brown's bridge    		 58k
    Walter S. Brown
    another view of the oiler
    transporting PT boats    		 111k
    Walter S. Brown
    Chris's Dad, MM1 Christopher J.
    Schmitt after working on a diesel    		 131k
    Walter S. Brown
    Christopher's Dad and his friend
    Benny sitting on a depth charge rack
    109k
    Walter S. Brown
    ship's officers    		 83k
    Walter S. Brown
    a French coastal escort vessel    		 58k
    Walter S. Brown
    getting ready for liberty?    		 132k
    Walter S. Brown
    Christopher's Dad getting a
    shoeshine in Casablanca    		 119k
    Walter S. Brown
    highlining between ships
    106k
    Walter S. Brown
    highlining (another shot)    		 97k
    Walter S. Brown
    working on the mast    		 99k
    Walter S. Brown
    fresh fruit was a real treat    		 135k
    Walter S. Brown
    relaxing on the crowded fantail
    Walter S. Brown History
    View the USS Walter S. Brown (DE 258) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.
    View a short article on the design and development of the Evarts Class DE submitted by Bob Sables.
    Walter S. Brown's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.) 25 Jun. 1943 - 14 Oct. 1943Lcdr. William L. Harmon, USN (Comm. CO)
    2.) 14 Oct. 1943 - .. Feb. 1944Lt. Thomas Handasyde Perkins Whitney, USNR
    3.) .. Feb. 1944 - 11 Mar. 1945Lcdr. Lester C. Burdett, Jr., USNR
    4.) 11 Mar. 1945 - 04 Oct. 1945Lt. Arthur H. Connolly, USNR
    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, rosters, or deck logs available. Please see the
    Frequently Asked Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.

    Additional Resources
    Lyle Borton's USS Walter S. Brown Facebook Group
    American Centuries Oral History of Paul Slater, USS Walter S. Brown
    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
    To The DE, FF, LCS Photo Index Page
    Back To The Main Photo Index

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    This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski
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    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 28 June 2023