Mount Pleasant in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
U.S.S. Laffey
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
1. U.S.S. Laffey Marker
has been designated a
National
Historic Landmark
This Site Possesses National Significance
in Commemorating the History of the
United States of America
1986
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1986.
Location. 32° 47.384′ N, 79° 54.482′ W. Marker is in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker can be reached from Patriots Point Road.. On Display with the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Museum, Charleston Harbor. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Pleasant SC 29464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. F-14A Tomcat (within shouting distance of this marker); S-2 Tracker (within shouting distance of this marker); S-3B Viking (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrier-Based A-6 Intruder
this page online
Regarding U.S.S. Laffey. National Register Of Historic Places:
USS LAFFEY (added 1983 - - #83002189)
W of Mt. Pleasant on E side of Charleston Harbor , Mount Pleasant
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Bath Iron Works
♦ Area of Significance: Military, Maritime History
♦ Period of Significance: 1925-1949
♦ Owner: State
♦ Historic Function: Defense
♦ Historic Sub-function: Battle Site, Naval Facility
♦ Current Function: Recreation And Culture
♦ Current Sub-function: Museum
The destroyer USS Laffey (Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer) was built to Bureau of Ships specifications
at the Bath Iron Works, Maine, in 1943-1944.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
2. U.S.S. Laffey Marker
and Pacific fleets in World War II and saw later service in the Korean War. The Laffey is the only surviving Sumner-class destroyer. The ship performed convoy escort duty in the Atlantic during May 1944 and
afterward assisted with the screening of the Normandy invasion forces and bombardment of Utah beach and the German-held port of Cherbourg. The Laffey moved to the Pacific to join the Fast Carrier Task Force in November 1944. The Laffey supported the amphibious landings at Ormoc Bay and Mindoro and the invasion forces at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines.
During the World War II invasion of Okinawa Island in April 1945, the Laffey was attacked by Japanese kamikazes and suffered five kamikaze hits, three bomb hits and two near misses. The crew, despite heavy casualties and extensive damage, repulsed the attackers and saved the ship. In comparison, the Laffey outperformed any other destroyer or carrier in this most important campaign and for her efforts received a Presidential Unit Citation. Listed in the National Register April 12, 1983; Designated a National Historic Landmark January 14, 1986. (South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
Also see . . . "The Ship That Would Not Die". ...when she successfully withstood a determined assault by both conventional and the most unrelenting kamikaze air attacks
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
3. U.S.S. Laffey
named for Seaman Bartlett Laffey who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his stand against Confederate forces on 5 March 1864.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
4. U.S.S. Laffey
nicknamed "The Ship That Would Not Die " Laffey was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and
earned five battle stars for service during World War II.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
5. U.S.S. Laffey "Scorecard"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
6. U.S.S. Laffey
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 19, 2013
7. U.S.S. Laffey Marker and current Mount 53 located near the gangway in foreground
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 30, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
