Maddox II DD- 662

Maddox II
(DD-622: dol. 1,630; 1. 348'4"; b. 36'1"; dr. 17'5"; s. 35 k.; cpl. 270; a. 4 5", 5 20mm., 5 21" tt., 6 dep., 2 act.; cl. Gleaves)

The second Maddox (DD-622) was laid down 7 May 1942 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Rearny, N.J. launched 15 September 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Ellen-Venita Browning Wilhoit Gay, great-granddaughter of Captain Maddox and commissioned 31 October 1942 Lt. Comdr. Eugene S. Sarsfleld in command.

After shakedown, Maddox departed New York 2 January 1943 for Norfolk, where she commenced escort duties. Following her first two convoy missions, safeguarding fleet oilers plying between Norfolk and the petroleum centers of Galveston and Aruba, Maddox began a series of transatlantic voyages escorting convoys trom New York and Norktolk to north Africa,

On 8 June 1943, Maddox departed Norfolk for Oran, Algeria, where she became a unit of TF 81, the assault force for the Sicillan invasion. As the assault troops landed 10 July, Haddox was on antisubmarine patrol about 16 miles offshore. Steaming alone, the destroyer was attacked by a German dive bomber. One of the bombs exploded Maddox's after magazine, causing the ship to roll over and sink within 2 minutes. The commanding offlcer, Lt. Comdr. E. S. Sarsfleld, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism displayed in supervising abandon ship. His action was responsible tor saving the lives of 74 of the crew. Maddox' was struck from the Navy list 19 August 1943.

Maddox received two battle stars for World War II service.