USS Herndon (DD-638)

The USS Herndon (DD-638) was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, a naval hero of the mid-19th century, the Herndon served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters.

Commissioned in 1943, the Herndon's early service involved escort duty in the Atlantic, protecting convoys from German U-boats. In 1944, she was transferred to the Pacific, where she participated in numerous operations, including the invasion of Normandy.

In the Pacific, the Herndon participated in the Leyte landings, the Battle of Surigao Strait (a part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf), and the invasion of Okinawa. She provided gunfire support for ground troops, screened larger vessels from air and submarine attacks, and engaged enemy surface ships.

Following the end of World War II, the Herndon continued to serve in the Navy for several years. She was decommissioned in 1963 and subsequently sold to the Spanish Navy, where she was renamed Dédalo (D-01). In Spanish service, she was reclassified as a helicopter carrier and served in that role until the late 1980s.

The USS Herndon (DD-638) earned several battle stars for her service during World War II, reflecting her significant contributions to the Allied war effort.