USS Richard P. Leary (DD-664)

USS Richard P. Leary (DD-664) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Richard P. Leary (1842–1901).

Richard P. Leary was laid down 4 July 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass.; launched 6 October 1943, sponsored by Mrs. George K. Crozer III; and commissioned 23 February 1944, Commander Frederic S. Habecker in command.

World War II
Following shakedown off Bermuda, Richard P. Leary sailed via the Panama Canal for Pearl Harbor. After escort duty to Eniwetok and Saipan in July, she supported the landings at Peleliu 15 September 1944, and at Leyte 20 October. During the Battle of Surigao Strait on the 25th, she launched torpedoes at the Japanese battleship JAPANESE BATTLESHIP Yamashiro, splashed one enemy plane, and guarded the damaged USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649). While patrolling off Leyte Gulf on 1 November, she rescued 70 survivors of USS Abner Read (DD-526).

During the Lingayen Gulf campaign, Richard P. Leary on 6 January, during a suicide attack, she severely damaged an incoming “Irving” fighter, which managed to graze the forward 5-inch gun mounts before crashing—the only “damage” of the war. Later that day, she also shot down a “Jill” and rendered fire-support for the landings on the 9th. She again supplied gunfire support for the landings at Iwo Jima 19 February and for the landings at Okinawa 1 April. During the night of 6–7 April she escorted the damaged USS Morris (DD-417) to Kerama Retto, Okinawa Gunto. Upon completion of duties at Okinawa her next assignment took her to Adak, Alaska, in August. After serving in the Aleutians, Leary sailed for Japan arriving at Ominato, 8 September. She departed Japan on the 30th, and steamed to San Diego, Calif.

Designated for inactivation after her return, Richard P. Leary decommissioned 10 December 1946, and was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

JDS Yugure (DD-184)
Richard P. Leary, along with her sister ship, USS Heywood L. Edwards (DD-663), was transferred 10 March 1959 to Japan, where she served in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Yugure (DD-184) ("Autumn Twilight").

The ship was returned to U.S. custody 10 March 1974, stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register on 18 March, and sold for scrap 1 July 1976.

Richard P. Leary received six battle stars for World War II service.