Japanese destroyer Ushio (1930)

The Japanese destroyer Ushio was the tenth ship of the Fubuki-class destroyers, or more accurately, the fourth of the Akatsuki-class (a modified Fubuki-class design) built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Commissioned in 1931, Ushio saw extensive service throughout World War II.

Ushio's design incorporated features intended to give the Imperial Japanese Navy an advantage in night combat. These included a powerful armament of six 12.7 cm/50 Type 3 guns in three twin turrets, and nine 61 cm torpedo tubes in three triple mounts. The guns were capable of high elevation for anti-aircraft fire, but were not very effective in that role compared to specialized AA guns.

Throughout the 1930s, Ushio participated in various naval exercises and patrols in Chinese waters. At the start of World War II, Ushio was part of Destroyer Division 7, and participated in the invasion of Malaya, the hunt for Force Z (HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse), and the invasion of the Netherlands East Indies.

Ushio saw action in numerous major naval battles of the Pacific War, including the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and the Guadalcanal Campaign. She was damaged on several occasions during these operations but was repaired and returned to service.

In the later years of the war, Ushio was primarily involved in escort duty, protecting convoys from submarine and air attacks. Despite surviving many engagements, Ushio was heavily damaged by a mine in November 1944 and was subsequently deemed beyond economical repair. She was decommissioned in 1945 and scrapped shortly after the end of the war. Ushio was known for its resilience and was one of the longer-serving destroyers of its class to survive the war.