The USS Cooper (DD-695) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer built for the United States Navy during World War II. Launched on February 9, 1944, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey, she was commissioned on March 27, 1944, under the command of Commander J. W. Schmidt. The vessel's specifications include a typical design of her class, characterized by a length of approximately 348 feet, a beam of about 36 feet, and a displacement of roughly 2,200 tons. Her armament likely included dual-purpose guns, torpedoes, and anti-aircraft weapons, consistent with her class's configuration, although specific armament details are not provided in the source. The USS Cooper's service began with transit from Boston to Pearl Harbor, arriving in September 1944, followed by training before joining the frontline in the Pacific Theater. She participated in air strikes against Luzon, Ormoc Bay, and Manila Bay from November 1944. The destroyer was actively engaged in patrols and surface combat operations, notably in the Battle of Ormoc Bay. On December 2-3, 1944, Cooper was part of a mission to destroy Japanese shipping when she was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer Kuwa. The explosion caused her to break in two, and she sank within a minute, resulting in the loss of 191 crew members among the 359 aboard. Rescue efforts saved 168 survivors, but the ship was lost in combat, earning her one battle star for World War II service. The wreck of the USS Cooper was located in 2005 by diver Rob Lalumiere and was conclusively identified in December 2017 by the Paul Allen-led expedition aboard RV Petrel. A memorial plaque now commemorates her service and sinking. The USS Cooper remains a significant wartime vessel, symbolizing the intense naval battles in the Pacific and the sacrifices made by her crew.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.