LAFFEY DD 459

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Benson Class Destroyer Keel Laid January 13 1941 - Launched October 30 1941 USS LAFFEY DD-459 Commissioned March 31 1942 SUNK (Gunfire) November 13 1942 from Japanese Battleship HIEI off Guadalcanal Nearly all of her crew were lost with the ship and remain on duty Struck from Navy Register January 13 1943

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. Covers Page 1     (1941-42)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type 3 (A-BBT) USS Mississippi BB-41

1941-01-13

N/A

Keel Laid, cachet by Dr. S. E. Hutnick

 

Locy Type FDC 3z (BTB)

1942-03-31

First Day of Commissioning, cachet by Ted Rauterberg

 

Locy Type FDC 3z (BTB)

1942-03-31

First Day of Commissioning

 

Locy Type SLbs(n) (47x2.5)

1942-03-31 to 1942-03-31

First Day of Commissioning

 

Other Information

USS LAFFEY was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her gallant performance in the South Pacific and three battle stars for her World War II service.

NAMESAKE - Bartlett Laffey USN (1841 - March 22 1901)
Laffey enlisted in the Navy March 17 1862 and was assigned to Stern Wheel Gunboat MARMORA. On March 5 1864, the Confederates launched a heavy attack on Union positions at Yazoo City, Miss. In the midst of heated battle Laffey landed a 12-pound howitzer and her crew. Despite enemy rifle fire which cut up the gun carriage and severed the rammer, Laffey bravely stood by his gun and contributed greatly to turning back the flerce Confederate assault. Seaman Laffey was awarded The Medal of Honor for his courageous stand. He died at Chelsea, Mass., March 22 1901

 

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