The USS Henley (DD-391) was a Bagley-class destroyer built for the United States Navy, launched on January 12, 1937, at the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California. She was commissioned on August 14, 1937, and named after Captain Robert Henley, a notable naval officer from the War of 1812 and the Quasi-War with France. The ship featured typical design characteristics of her class, with a displacement suited to her combat and escort roles. Following her shakedown cruises in Pacific and Hawaiian waters, Henley joined the Pacific Battle Force, operating with Destroyer Division 11. By April 1941, she was stationed at Pearl Harbor. During the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Henley was moored in East Loch and, due to a mistaken call for general quarters, was among the first ships to engage the enemy, firing her guns and shooting down enemy aircraft. She also conducted a depth charge attack on a suspected submarine outside the harbor. Throughout 1942 and 1943, Henley participated in convoy and antisubmarine patrols, primarily in Australian waters, playing a vital role in the Pacific theater. Notably, she rescued survivors of the sinking cruisers Neosho and Sims during the Battle of the Coral Sea and supported Allied operations during the Guadalcanal Campaign, patrolling and engaging enemy aircraft. Her combat record included claims of shooting down enemy aircraft and protecting vital supply routes. Her service ended abruptly on October 3, 1943, off Finschafen, New Guinea, when she was struck by a torpedo fired by the Japanese submarine Ro-108. The torpedo hit her port side, causing catastrophic damage, including the explosion of her number 1 fire-room, destruction of her boilers, and breaking her keel. The ship listed heavily and sank stern-first at 18:29 after all crew members had abandoned ship. Despite her loss, 18 officers and 225 men survived, rescued by accompanying destroyers. The USS Henley earned four battle stars for her wartime service, marking her as a notable vessel in the U.S. Navy's Pacific campaign.

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