World War II Atlantic Ocean Operations
J. R. Y. Blakely conducted her shakedown training out of Bermuda during September 1943, returning to Charleston, South Carolina, 22 September to prepare for convoy duty in the Atlantic. She sailed 4 October from Norfolk, Virginia, with a convoy for the Mediterranean; and, after transporting precious supplies safely to Casablanca, returned to New York 16 November. J. R. Y. Blakely made another round trip voyage to Casablanca December 1943 through January 1944, and a third during February through March 1944, as American ships began the great buildup in Europe.
After voyage repairs the escort vessel was assigned to a hunter-killer group built around an escort carrier. She sailed from New York 30 March 1944 and rendezvoused with USS Core (CVE-13) and her escorts in the Atlantic to search for German submarines. After a vigilant search and stops at Newfoundland and Casablanca the ship reached New York 30 May 1944. J. R. Y. Blakely was soon at sea again, joining the USS Wake Island (CVE-65) group at Norfolk 15 June. During June and July the ships intensified the hunt for U-boats, and covered the all-important supply convoys in the Atlantic. After a short stay in Casablanca harbor, the group was sent by Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll to search for German weather picket submarines, and by 2 August the escorts had found U-boat U-804. In the engagement which followed, USS Fiske (DE-143) was torpedoed and sunk. J, R. Y. Blakely made several depth charge attacks before retiring to protect Wake Island. She returned to New York 16 August 1944.
Read more about this topic: USS J.R.Y. Blakely (DE-140)
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