The USS Collett (DD-730) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer constructed during World War II, notable for its active service in multiple conflicts and later service in the Argentine Navy. Launched on 5 March 1944 by Bath Iron Works Corp. in Bath, Maine, and commissioned on 16 May 1944 at the Boston Navy Yard, the vessel was sponsored by Mrs. C. Baughman as a proxy for Mrs. J. D. Collett. Under the command of Commander James D. Collett, the ship was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and arrived at Pearl Harbor in October 1944. Designed as a wartime destroyer, Collett featured the typical armament and capabilities of her class, including three 5-inch/38 caliber gun mounts, torpedo tubes, hedgehog anti-submarine mounts, and later, DASH drone helicopter facilities. Throughout her service, she primarily operated as a screening and escort vessel for aircraft carriers, participating in key operations such as air strikes on Luzon, Formosa, and the Japanese home islands, including Okinawa. She was actively engaged in combat, notably shooting down two Japanese G4M "Betty" bombers during an attack in November 1944 and contributing to the sinking of the Japanese submarine I-56 in April 1945. Collett’s wartime service earned her six battle stars, along with the Navy Unit Commendation for her role in the Inchon invasion during the Korean War. She supported various operations off Korea, including shore bombardments and carrier escort missions, and was involved in Vietnam War deployments, providing naval gunfire support and participating in Operation Sea Dragon. Post-war, the destroyer continued active service, including deployments to the Far East, and underwent extensive modernization in 1960. She experienced a collision off Newport Beach that year but was repaired and returned to duty. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Collett operated extensively in Southeast Asia, including participating in Yankee Station operations during the Vietnam War, earning multiple medals and commendations. In 1974, the ship was transferred to Argentina, renamed ARA Piedrabuena (D-29), and saw service during the Falklands War, notably in the escort group with the cruiser ARA General Belgrano when it was sunk by HMS Conqueror in 1982. She was decommissioned in 1985 and finally sunk during a missile exercise in 1988. The USS Collett’s distinguished career highlights her significance as a versatile and combat-proven naval vessel spanning three decades of service.

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