In KTB #110 last month, SCOTT COLLETT (3609-1994) asked about a US Navy destroyer named USS COLLETT. We got our answer from MAJOR (USAF) MIKE DOONAN (1170-1989) whose cousin is a PLANK OWNER on USS COLLETT, and also from CHIEF JAMES BARRY (2194-1992).

The answer from JIM BARRY is quite lengthy and loaded with great details, and we sent them on to SCOTT but here is the thumb-nail version, taken from both Members.

USS COLLETT (DD 730) was named for John Austin Collett, a US Navy Academy graduate and pilot. He was killed in action, flying off USS ENTERPRISE (CV 6). He was Commander of Torpedo Squadron 10 and it was during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands that he was killed.

When USS COLLETT was launched, her sponsor (by proxy) was Mrs. J. D. Collett, and her first Skipper was CDR J. D. Collett, also an Annapolis grad - and brother of the fallen aviator.

The ship was commissioned June 1944 and during her career, she sank the I.J.N. submarine Ro-56; 4 trawlers; shot down 11 aircraft and was in the first shore bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands - she was 3rd ship in a line of a 7 ship squadron. She received six BATTLE STARS for service in World War II; a NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION; and six BATTLE STARS for service in the Korean War.

On 4 June, 1977, she was sold to Argentina along with another unnamed US Navy DD, and was named PIEDRA BUENA (D-29). The other 'TIN CAN' was cannibalized for parts to maintain the former USS COLLETT.

In 1982 USS COLLETT/PIEDRA BUENA saw her last action. During the Falklands Islands War, she was part of the screen (?) for the heavy cruiser BELGRANO, also a former US Navy ship. When a Royal Navy submarine torpedoed the cruiser BELGRANO, the destroyers ran hastily for port, ending, without glory, a career that was full of glory for this proud ship.

USS COLLETT/PIEDRA BUENA was decommissioned in 1983 and broken up for scrap.

MIKE and JIM, thanks much for this information.