USS Herndon (DD-198)

The USS Herndon (DD-198) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. Named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, a naval hero of the antebellum period, she was commissioned in 1920 and served until 1945.

Herndon initially served in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in training exercises and fleet maneuvers. In the interwar years, she also operated in European waters and the Caribbean.

During World War II, Herndon primarily performed escort duty in the Atlantic, protecting convoys from German U-boats. She participated in several major operations, including the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch) in 1942 and the Normandy landings (Operation Neptune) in 1944. During the latter, Herndon played a vital role providing fire support for the troops landing on Utah Beach.

Following the end of World War II in Europe, Herndon was decommissioned and scrapped later in 1945. She earned three battle stars for her service during World War II.