WHAT IS A DESTROYER ESCORT? - PAGE 20

The USS Pride (DE-323) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Between World War I and World War II the United States made little to no effort to design or produce escorts. So in 1941, sensing a serious need, the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships produced its own escort design known as the Destroyer Escort (DE). They played a significant role in the successful movement of materials to the war fronts in the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Mediterranean theaters.

Although orders had been placed for 1,005 DEs. only 563 were actually constructed. The United States Coast Guard provided offercers and crew to man 30 of these DEs. Each ship consisted of about twelve officers and 165 men.

In general the Coast Guard-manned DEs were of the following general description: Their length was 306' with a displacement of 1200 tons. They were powered by twin diesel engines with 6000 shaft horsepower producing about 21 knots. Armament consisted initially of three 3-inch/50 caliber multipurpose guns; one quad 40 millimeter anitaircraft mount; ten 20 millimeter antiaircraft mounts; and a triple 21-inch torpedo tube mount. Anti-submarine equipment included stern depth charge racks, eight depth charge K-guns, and a forward projectile throwing "hedgehog." DEs were equipped with sonar and air/surface radar and a combat information center (CIC) for battle control, and also carried smoke generator equipment for possible convoy protective use.

These vessles were "rough riding" and did not possess the seaworthy qualitites of most cutter designs. William Valencheck remembers many men aboard with serious cases of sea sickness. Men would tie themselves into their bunks so that they would not end up on the deck during a rough voyage. Eating sometimes provided its challenges and anicdotes about using the head or taking a shower were shared and for the these we will allow the reader to use his imagination. But the ships did have speed, maneuverability. and range to carry out their ocean escort mission.

The USS PRIDE served in the Atlantic Ocean the Pacific Ocean and provided destroyer escort protection against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. She returned home proudly at war’s end with three battle stars and then entered into service for the U.S. Coast Guard before final decommissioning.

She was named in honor of Ensign Lewis Bailey Pride, Jr., who was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. She was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Co., Orange, Texas, 12 April 1943; launched 3 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Lewis Bailey Pride, mother of Lewis Bailey Pride, Jr.; and commissioned 13 November 1943, Comdr. R. R. Curry, USCG, in command.

The above information was taken from Wickapedia and from an article written for the US Coast Guard acadamy Alumni Bulletin March 1987 by C. R. Peck, class of 1943