Allied Warships

USS Brownson (i) (DD 518)

Destroyer of the Fletcher class

Navy	The US Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Fletcher
Pennant	DD 518
Built by	Bethleham Steel Co. (Staten Island, New York, U.S.A.)
Ordered	9 Sep 1940
Laid down	15 Feb 1942
Launched	24 Sep 1942
Commissioned	3 Feb 1943
Lost	27 Dec 1943
Loss position	5° 20'S, 148° 25'E

History	Sponsored by Mrs. Cleland S. Baxter, granddaughter of Admiral Brownson. While escorting landing craft to New Britain, a Japanese dive bomber released two 500 pound bombs, blowing away the Brownson's upper structure. She took on a list to starboard and settled rapidly, her back broken. Brownson (Lt Cdr Joseph Benedict Maher) sank off Cape Gloucester, New Britain, in position 05º20'S, 148º25'E. 109 died and 42 were wounded and the 169 survivors, including the Commanding officer, were rescued by the USS Daly/Lamson.

Commands listed for USS Brownson (i) (DD 518)

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	Commander	From	To
1	T/Cdr. Joseph Benedict Maher, USN	3 Feb 1943	27 Dec 1943

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Notable events involving Brownson (i) include:

12 Apr 1943
USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) departed Gravesend Bay, New York to begin her sea trials. She was escorted by USS Gillespie (Cdr. C.C. Clement, USN), USS Dyson (Cdr. R.A. Gano, USN) and USS Brownson (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Maher, USN).

13 Apr 1943
USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) conducted sea trials off New York. She was escorted by USS Gillespie (Cdr. C.C. Clement, USN), USS Dyson (Cdr. R.A. Gano, USN) and USS Brownson (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Maher, USN).

14 Apr 1943
USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) departed New York for Hampton Roads, Virginia. She was escorted by USS Gillespie (Cdr. C.C. Clement, USN), USS Dyson (Cdr. R.A. Gano, USN) and USS Brownson (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Maher, USN).