Ships_History

U.S.S. Higbee DDR/DD-806


The USS Higbee DDR/DD-806, a Gearing-class destroyer, was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. She was commissioned January 27, 1945 and entered the shipyards in Boston to be converted to a radar picket ship.
The USS Higbee was the first American warship named in honor of a woman. Mrs. Lenah S. Higbee was superintendent of the Navy Nursing Corps during the First World War. She was awarded the Navy's highest decoration, the Navy Cross for "distinguished service in the line of her profession and conspicuous devotion to duty"





Plank Owners	Deck Log from the Commissioning -1945	Known Living Plank Owners

William Smith	YN1 P/O 1944-1945	I will seek to offer some info on being one of the first to board the USS HIGBEE back in the fall of 1944. I was sent to Bath, Maine to assist in getting the ships office set up for the future service of the ship. It was a cold, cold time there in Bath and going aboard her daily with the shipyard workers was quite an experience. Then to sail her down to Boston thru the North Atlantic and pulling into the harbor the ship was totally covered with ice. I was surprised to see my picture on a naval personal periodical along with 3 or 4 other shipmates. Then to have my wife attend the commissioning was special for me as we live in Baltimore and that was within our means to have her present.
Richard Bewell	Sonarman 3C 1944-1946	I was assigned to the Higbee in December, 1944 and was present at the commissioning in January, 1945. I served aboard until February, 1946 where I left her in Siapan. We were part of the 3rd Fleet about 40 miles or so off of Japan the day the war ended.
Jack W. Roberts	TM 3C	I helped put the Higbee into commission in 1945. When it came down from Bath, Maine the sea spray froze on the super structure about 6 inches thick. We had to use steam hoses to get the ice off of the deck so we could hold the commissioning ceremony.
Wayne Keith	Radioman 3C 1945 - 1946	I was assigned to the USS Higbee and helped commission her in 1945. I served aboard until May, 1946 when I left her in San Diego. We were part of the 3rd Fleet off the coast of Japan when the war ended.