U.S.S. AYLWIN

DD-355 USS AYLWIN

USS Aylwin received its name in honor of Lieutenant John Cushing Aylwin, a hero of the War of 1812. The Navy brought her into service upon her commission in March 1935. Her first voyage took her into European waters. She reported to the Pacific Fleet in October of that year. She underwent regular operations in the Pacific through 1939. In October of that year, she shifted her homeport to Pearl Harbor along with many other West Coast ships. A collision with USS Farragut left her in bad shape. After getting help back to port, she underwent repairs that brought her back to service in November 1941.

On December 7, 1941, USS Aylwin was in port at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. She was underway and giving fire within a few minutes. She gave fire to various enemy aircraft and patrolled for submarines. Throughout the Second World War, USS Aylwin participated in operations throughout the Pacific. She participated in the Battle of Midway, operations in the New Hebrides, the invasions of Attu and Kiska, capture of the Gilbert Islands, the Marshalls, and Guam. She acted in concert with replenishment groups throughout the Pacific. The Navy decommissioned her in October 1945 and sold her for scrap in December 1946.