USS Finch (DE-328)

USS Finch (DE-328) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort in the service of the United States Navy. She was named in honor of Lieutenant Joseph W. Finch, Jr., USNR.

Finch was first launched on 28 August 1943 at Orange, Texas as DE-328. She was commissioned three times.

Finch was first commissioned on 13 December 1943 and took on its officers and initial crew of 182 sailors under the command of Lieutenant Commander Albert H. Nienau, USNR. During her operation from 28 August 1943 until 6 March 1947, Finch entered sixty three ports from the eastern and western ports of the USA through the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Finch was one of several vessels to participate in the evacuation of former POWs of the Japanese from Formosa in September 1945. Finch participated in eighteen Convoys as an escort for a variety of naval and commercial ships. Finch entered drydock at Green Cove Springs, Florida on 4 October 1946 under the command of Lieutenant Commander R. L. Tully but was not finally decommissioned until 6 March 1947.

In the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! the ship was used to portray the USS Ward.

Fate
Transferred to USCG for service between 1951 and 1954 and redesignated WDE-428 cutter.

Stricken 1 February 1974; sold for scrap 16 August 1974.