USS Shelton (DE-407)

The USS Shelton (DE-407) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort (DE) built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Ensign James A. Shelton, (a naval aviator who was reported missing during the Battle of Midway), she was the first of two U.S. Naval vessels to bear the name.

Shelton was laid down on 1 November 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding of Houston, Texas; launched on 18 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. John Shelton; and commissioned on 4 April 1944 with Lieutenant Lewis B. Salomon, USNR, in command. After fitting out and loading stores, Shelton steamed out of port on 21 April, in company with USS Edmonds (DE-406) bound for Bermuda on her shakedown cruise. Upon completion, she underwent post-shakedown availability at the Boston Navy Yard from 25 May – 15 June. She departed Boston on 16 June en route to San Diego via New York, Hampton Roads, and Balboa C.Z.

History
Shelton arrived at San Diego on 6 July and sailed for Pearl Harbor three days later. She stood out from Pearl Harbor on 26 July as part of a convoy proceeding to Eniwetok. The convoy arrived there on 6 August and was dissolved. Shelton was then assigned as a unit in the screen for Task Force 57 (TF 57) — composed of five carriers — and routed to Seeadler Harbor, Admiralty Island. After arriving there on 13 August, Shelton operated in the area until the following month when she was assigned to the Morotai Attack Force (TF 77). The DE was still off Morotai on 3 October in the screen for the escort carriers USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) and USS Midway (CVE-63) when they were attacked by the Japanese submarine RO-41. A torpedo wake was sighted at 1500 yd heading for the escort. In evading it, Shelton was hit on the starboard screw by a second torpedo, which caused severe damage and flooding. Fellow DE USS Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) came alongside and removed the crew. The escort was taken under tow but capsized and sank. Shelton was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 27 November 1944.

Honors
Shelton received one battle star for World War II service. Thirteen of her crew were lost with the ship and remain on duty.