USS Lindsey (DD-771/DM-32/MMD-32) was a Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayer constructed during World War II. Originally laid down as an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer (DD-771) on 12 September 1943 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding in San Pedro, California, she was launched on 5 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Eugene E. Lindsey, widow of Lt. Commander Eugene E. Lindsey. The vessel was reclassified as a destroyer minelayer (DM-32) on 19 July 1944 and commissioned on 20 August 1944. Following shakedown off southern California, USS Lindsey departed San Francisco on 25 November 1944, heading toward the Pacific theater. Her journey took her via Pearl Harbor to Ulithi, where she arrived on 3 February 1945. As the Battle of Iwo Jima intensified, Lindsey operated off the island from 17 to 19 February, contributing to the effort by knocking out six Japanese guns ashore and providing covering fire for minesweepers clearing the harbor. In late March, Lindsey shifted her focus to Okinawa, arriving on 24 March and performing vital harbor sweeps ahead of the landings. During the Okinawa campaign, she bombarded Japanese installations and transported wounded soldiers. On 12 April, Lindsey endured a severe kamikaze attack, where her gunners successfully repelled seven dive bombers, but two Aichi D3A "Val" bombers managed to crash into her. The attack resulted in the deaths of 57 sailors and injuries to 57 others, with an explosion ripping off approximately 60 feet of her bow. Prompt damage control, led by Commander Chambers’ orders for an “all back full,” prevented her sinking. Later that night, Lindsey was towed to Kerama Retto for repairs, remaining in the lagoon for two weeks. She was then towed to Guam, arriving on 6 May, where she received a temporary bow. She later sailed under her own power to the east coast, arriving in Norfolk, Virginia, on 19 August 1945. After extensive repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, she moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and was decommissioned on 25 May 1946, joining the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. Struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 October 1970, USS Lindsey was ultimately sunk as a target on 9 May 1972. Throughout her service, USS Lindsey earned two battle stars for her actions during World War II, exemplifying her role in pivotal Pacific campaigns and her resilience in combat.

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