USS Inch (DE-146)

USS Inch (DE-146) was named after Rear Admiral Richard Inch, who served with distinction during the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War. USS Inch (DE-146) was laid down 19 January 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp, Orange, Texas; launched 4 April 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Philip L. Inch, daughter-in-law of Admiral Inch; and commissioned 8 September 1943, Lt. Comdr. C. W. Frey in command.

World War II North Atlantic operations
Following shakedown off Bermuda, Inch began convoy escort operations from New York to Norfolk. Early in 1945 she joined a special hunter-killer group in the Atlantic, built around escort carrier USS Croatan (CVE-25). The ships sailed 24 March for the convoy lanes to search for German U-boats. During the months that followed, Inch took part in many attacks on submarines.

Sinking of the German Submarine U-490
On the evening of 11 June the ship, in company with USS Frost (DE-144) and USS Huse (DE-145), made a contact and proceeded to attack. After over 40 depth charges, the submarine surfaced, signaling SOS. Suspecting a ruse, Inch and her companions opened fire and destroyed German type-17 U-490. The entire crew of 60 German sailors was rescued by the escorts.

Sinking of the German Submarine U-154
Soon after the attack on U-490, the escort vessels, operating as usual in concert with aircraft from Croatan, detected another submarine. They attacked 3 July and scored another kill, this time on German submarine U-154. Inch remained on this vital duty, so important in stopping the German submarine menace, until reaching New York 14 May 1945.

Assigned to Pacific Theatre operations
She had had only brief in-port periods the preceding year, and after repairs conducted her second shakedown out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With the submarine war in the Atlantic won, Inch sailed to the Pacific, departing the Canal Zone 23 July. She touched at San Diego, California, and Pearl Harbor, and remained in Hawaiian waters for exercises designed to train her for the planned invasion of Japan. Soon after her arrival 12 August, however, the capitulation was announced.

Decommissioning
After completing training and readiness exercises, Inch sailed 5 September for Norfolk, Virginia, via the Panama Canal, and arrived 28 September 1945. She decommissioned 17 May 1946, entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, and is now berthed at Norfolk.

Awards
Inch received four battle stars for World War II service.