1941 - 1946
BUILT BY :
Bethlehem Steel Company - Staten Island, New York
LAUNCHED :
7 JULY 1942
Sponsored by Cmdr. G. M. Bache's daughter, Louise.
COMMISSIONED :
14 NOVEMBER 1942
Commander J. N. Opie, III - in command
HIGHLIGHTS OF HER HISTORY :
The Bache conducted her 'shakedown' cruise by acting as an escort for a convoy headed for Halifax, Nova Scotia. She then returned to the New York yard for a 'post-shakedown' overhaul.
Norfolk, Virginia, became her homeport, and her first assignment was escort the recently re-fitted British aircraft carrier H.M.S. Victorious to Pearl Harbor. They left Norfolk on 6 February 1943, and arrived at Pearl on 4 March 1943.
The Bache stayed in Pearl for additional training until 10 may 1943, when she departed to join the Atlantic Fleet in the Aleutian Islands; where she would serve until sometime in December 1943. While in the Aleutians, she took part in the bombardment of KISKA.
On 23 December 1943, after a short stay in Pearl for a minor overhaul, she joined the Seventh Fleet.
While on station until 29 October 1944, the Bache participated in several battles. The ones I can find are listed.
26 December 1943
- Bombardment of the New British Islands
29 February 1944
- Landings support at Los Negros, Admiralty Islands
4 - 7 March 1944
- Bombardments of Ndrillo and Karunia Islands
10 April thru 15 September 1944
Bombardments and Assaults on beaches on and around New Guinea
20 October 1944
- Bombardment in LEYTE GULF, in the Philippines
- Battle at sea in the SURIGAO STRAIT - A major victory over the Imperial Forces by assisting the the destruction of the Fuso class battleships YAMASHIRO and FUSO, and the Mogami class cruiser MOGAMI.
25 October 1944
29 October 1944
Left Leyte for a stateside yard overhaul
20 February 1945
Bache joined the FIFTH FLEET at ENIWETOK
Provided air support around IWO JIMA
28 February thru 5 March 1945
1 April 1945
Bache takes up screening and picket duty at OKINAWA
3 May 1945
Bache received minor damage when a KAMIKAZE missed her and crashed
The same day, despite the damage, Bache rescued 74 crewmen from the LSM-R-194
13 May 1945
A kamikaze finally scored a hit on the Bache while she was running picket duty. The plane hit amidships with the wing striking near the #2 stack causing it to catapult down to the main deck. At about 7 feet above the deck, the plane exploded, taking out all of the steam and electrical power. The crew got the fires under control in about 20 minutes. Forty-one crewmen were killed, thirty-two were injured, and fourteen were MIA.
(NOTE: Leo B. Helmboldt - EM2 was the only survivor from his division. For a more detailed account check out the link by his son on the MAIN page.)
Bache was towed to Kerama Retto, Okinawa for temporary repairs.
This picture was taken the next day in Kerama Retto.
( I "borrowed" it from Bruce's page. Hope he won't mind.)
13 July 1945
Bache arrived in New York Navy Yard for final repairs, before going to Charleston, South Carolina for inactivation on 4 February 1946.