USS Tatum (DE-789)

USS Tatum (DE-789)

USS Tatum (DE-789/APD-81) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, named for Lieutenant Commander Laurice Aldridge Tatum (1894–1942).

Tatum was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Corp. on 22 April 1943; launched on 7 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Cecile Cofield Tatum, and commissioned on 22 November 1943, Lt. Comdr. William C. D. Bellinger USN, in command.