Ira Jeffery DE-3

Ira Jeffery

(DE - 3; dp. 1,400; 1. 30B'; b. 37'; dr. 9'5"; s. 24 k.; cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 4 1.1", 8 20mm, 2 dct., 8 dcp., 1 dcp. (h.h.),321"tt.;cl.Buckley)

Ira Jeffery (DE - 3) was laid down as Jeffery 13 February 1943 by Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Mass.; launched 15 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. D. C. Jeffery, mother of Ensign' Jetlery, renamed Ira Jeffery 29 July 1943; and commissioned 15 August 1943, Lt. Comdr. R. A. Fitch in command.

Ira Jeffery conducted shakedown training off Bermuda and in Casco Bay, Maine, before returning to Naval Torpedo Station, Quonset, R.I., for experiments with noise-m~kers designed to counter the German acoustic torpedo. She then moved to New York and departed 5 November 1943 with her first Atlantic convoy. During the next year she sailed with seven Atlantic troop convoys, seeing each safely to staging points in Northern Ireland or Great Britain. After her return to Charleston 22 October 1944, Ira Jeffery joined a large convoy of cranes, powerplants, and tugs bound for the invasion ports of Europe. On the return crossing 20 December 1044 the escort's convoy was attacked by a German submarine. After sinking an LST and damaging Fogy, the submarine was driven off. Ira Jeffery assisted the damaged ship and eventually escorted her through rough seas to the Azores.

Returning to the United State 1 February 1945, the ship spent two weeks working with experimental mines in Chesapeake Bay. She entered the New York Naval Shipyard 15 February for conversion to a high-speed transport. After the installation of troop quarters and extensive alterations she emerged in May 1945 as APD-44 (officially reclassified 23 February 1945) nnd departed 12 May for shakedown in Chesapeake Bay. Ira Je~ery then sailed 25 May with carrier ~ ntietam for the Pananua Canal and Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 18 June 1945.

After training in Hawaiian waters, the ship returned to San Diego 23 July and began training with underwater demolition teams. She sailed lB August, 1 day after the war's end for the forward areas, stopping at Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Manila. Arter demolition exercises in Lingayen Gulf, she sailed to Wakayama, Japan, where underwater demolition teams reconnoitered beaches prior to American occupation landings. After the successful operation Ira Jeffery sailed for the United States, arriving San Diego 20 November 1945.

The ship sailed via the Panama Canal for the Enst Coast and after her arrival Philadelphia 8 December underwent repairs. Ira Jeffery then sailed to Jacksonville, Fla., and decommissioned at Green Cove Springs 18 June 194fi. She entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and remained there until struck rrom the Navy List 1 June 1960. She was sunk during tests in July 1962.