The USS Abner Read (DD-526) was a Fletcher-class destroyer built for the United States Navy during World War II. Laid down on October 30, 1941, at Bethlehem Steel in San Francisco, California, she was launched on August 18, 1942, and commissioned on February 5, 1943. The vessel measured approximately 376 feet in length, with a beam of about 39 feet, and displaced around 2,050 tons. She was armed with five 5-inch (127 mm) guns, along with a variety of anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, and depth charges, typical of Fletcher-class destroyers designed for versatility and combat effectiveness. USS Abner Read saw active service across the Pacific theater, beginning with patrol duties in the Aleutian Islands, where she participated in shelling and supporting the Battle of Attu. She was involved in bombardments of Japanese-held Attu and Kiska islands, notably shelling Kiska during Operation Cottage. On August 18, 1943, she struck a mine off Kiska, which tore off her stern, causing significant casualties—70 men killed, one missing, and 47 wounded—and leaving her disabled and in danger of sinking. She was rescued by USS Bancroft and towed to port for repairs, which included extensive work at Puget Sound Navy Yard. After repairs, Abner Read continued her operations in New Guinea, participating in bombardments and landings such as Hollandia and Moroati, supporting Allied advances in the Pacific. She engaged in shore bombardments, including the shelling of Wewak and Biak, and supported troop landings. She also served in Australian waters and returned to combat off Leyte Gulf, where she was ultimately sunk on November 1, 1944, during a Japanese air attack. An Aichi D3A dive bomber's bomb penetrated her stacks, igniting fires and causing an internal explosion that led to her sinking. The ship rolled over and sank stern-first, with 24 crewmen lost. The wreckage of her original stern section was discovered in 2018 off Kiska by Project Recover, lying on the ocean floor at approximately 290 feet depth. USS Abner Read was awarded four battle stars for her WWII service, marking her as a significant vessel in Pacific naval operations.

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