Aug 1, 1943

Launched at Kearny, New Jersey

9 battle stars

Earned in the Pacific, 1944–45

429 rescued

USS Franklin crew, March 1945

32 reunions

Crew and families, through 2020

USS Hunt history

The ship’s story

From her shakedown cruise to the carrier screens off Truk, the Philippine Sea and Okinawa, told largely by the men who were there.

USS Hunt underway, aerial view

World War II

Screening Task Force 58, the Marianas Turkey Shoot, and the rescue of 429 men from the burning USS Franklin.

9

Battle stars

Battle stars & operations

Marshall Islands to Okinawa: every operation the Hunt took part in, with dates.

USS Hunt, hull number 674, in harbor

After World War II

The Hunt’s later years of service, after her return to the fleet.

The crew

The men who sailed her

Panoramic portrait of the USS Hunt crew in dress uniform, October 1945
The crew of the U.S.S. Hunt, October 1945 (Thompson Photo, Los Angeles). From the album of crewmember Thomas Isaac Reeves, courtesy of his daughter Annette Reeves Gregson.

Hunt reunions

Every fall, the crew came back aboard

Thirty-two reunions, from San Diego to Portland, Maine, each with a hospitality room, a memorial service and the tolling of the bell. The last was held in San Antonio in 2020.

2020 · 2019 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001

USS Hunt dressed with signal flags

Watch: USS Hunt Reunion History

Video · 10 min 49 sec

In Memoriam

At every reunion the bell was tolled for shipmates lost that year. Their names are kept here.

See the roll →

Photo Gallery

Photographs of the ship, and of the reunions from 2001 to 2010.

Browse the photos →