The USS Buchanan (DD-484) was a Gleaves-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned during World War II. Named in honor of Admiral Franklin Buchanan, the first Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States and a former officer in the United States Navy, the ship was laid down on April 15, 1941, at the Boston Navy Yard, launched on June 28, 1942, and commissioned on September 30, 1942.
The USS Buchanan (DD-484) served primarily in the Pacific Theater. It participated in numerous operations, including support roles during amphibious landings and convoy escort duties. The destroyer was involved in several significant campaigns, such as the Guadalcanal campaign and the Solomon Islands operations. During its service, the ship earned six battle stars for its World War II contributions.
The vessel sustained damage during combat operations on multiple occasions. Notably, on November 30, 1943, during the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, the USS Buchanan was struck by a torpedo, resulting in significant damage to its stern. Despite this, the crew managed to return the ship to port. Repairs were conducted, and the destroyer resumed limited duties, including training and patrol assignments, though it did not return to front-line combat.
After the war, the USS Buchanan (DD-484) was decommissioned on December 2, 1945. It was later sold for scrap on November 26, 1947.
The USS Buchanan (DD-484) should not be confused with other U.S. Navy ships bearing the same name, such as the USS Buchanan (DDG-14), a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned in the 1960s.