USS Mc Calla (DD-488) - 1942

1942

During shakedown McCalla undertook her first war assignment, escorting a New York-bound convoy from Cape May, New Jersey, 19 July 1942. On 3 August, she formally reported at Norfolk for brief antisubmarine (ASW) employment along the mid Atlantic coast. Two weeks later she escorted oilers to Aruba and continued on to the Pacific, reporting to Commander, South Pacific Area (ComSoPac) 28 September at Nouméa.

McCalla immediately joined in the campaign for the Solomons. On 7 October she Joined Task Force 64 (TF 64), Rear Admiral Norman Scott's cruiser force, then protecting transports carrying supplies and reinforcements to marines on Guadalcanal. Ordered to search for and destroy enemy ships and landing craft, the force patrolled primarily north of the island. On the nights of 11 and 13 October, they encountered a Japanese force off Cape Esperance under Rear Admiral Aritomo Gotō convoying reinforcements to Guadalcanal. In the ensuing battle both forces accomplished their missions, but the cost to the Japanese was greater. Admiral Gotō was killed, heavy cruiser Furutaka and destroyer Fubuki were lost, and heavy cruiser Aoba was forced to return to Japan for repairs. In addition, as they attempted to rescue survivors the next day, two Japanese destroyers, Murakumo and Natsugumo, were sunk by aircraft from Henderson Field. Admiral Scott's force lost destroyer Duncan (DD-485), while damage to Boise (CL-47) required navy yard repairs. McCalla rescued 195 of Duncan's crew, and captured three Japanese sailors.

As the campaign for Guadalcanal extended, McCalla's anti-shipping activities continued. On 2 November, she depth charged an area in which submarine contact had been made. On the 25th, she was cruising off Tassafaronga Point when a number of landing boats were reported maneuvering along the coast; McCalla destroyed 40 of the Japanese craft.