Owen (DD 536), flagship of DesRon 52.
Destroyer Squadron 52
World War II Operations
Destroyer Squadron 52 was one of several squadrons of
2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers that joined the Pacific war in 1944 as the destroyer screen for the fast carriers of the Third and Fifth Fleets beginning with the Marshall Islands Operation. It was composed of nine square-bridge ships:
Destroyer Squadron 52
Mid 1944
OPERATIONS
Attached to Task Groups 58.2 and 38.2 under Rear Admirals Montgomery and Bogen, the nine destroyers of the squadron earned 8, 9 or 10 battle stars for participation in all the major operations of the Central Pacific and Philippines campaigns and at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
During the Leyte operation after the Battle of Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944, they formed the screen for Admiral Halsey’s Battle Line as it raced south in a futile attempt to intercept the Japanese Center Force before it retired through San Bernardino Strait; Owen and Miller finished off the destroyer Nowaki, the lone straggler.
DECORATIONS
Miller and
Hickox both were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for standing by burning carrier
Franklin, 19 March 1945.
