The USS O'Bannon (DD-177) was a Wickes-class destroyer constructed for the United States Navy shortly after World War I. Laid down by Union Iron Works in San Francisco on November 12, 1918, and launched on February 28, 1919, the vessel was sponsored by Mrs. Henry O'Bannon Cooper, a descendant by marriage of Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, for whom the ship was named. She was officially commissioned on August 27, 1919. The Wickes-class destroyers were designed to be faster and more improved than their predecessors, with USS O'Bannon displacing approximately 1,202 to 1,208 long tons at standard load and measuring about 314 feet 4 inches in length with a beam of 30 feet 11 inches and a draft of 9 feet 10 inches. The ship's propulsion system consisted of two steam turbines driving two propeller shafts, powered by four water-tube boilers, with a combined output aimed at 27,000 shaft horsepower to reach speeds of up to 35 knots. She carried around 225 long tons of fuel oil, enabling a range of roughly 2,500 nautical miles at 20 knots. Armament included four single-mounted 4-inch guns, two 1-pounder anti-aircraft guns (often replaced by 3-inch AA guns due to shortages), and a formidable torpedo battery of twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes arranged in four triple mounts. Additional anti-submarine equipment comprised depth charge rails and a "Y-gun" depth charge thrower. USS O'Bannon’s service primarily involved exercises, training, and experimentation with torpedoes along the California coast and in Hawaiian waters. She was briefly in reserve from June to November 1920, then resumed active duty before decommissioning at San Diego on May 27, 1922. Struck from the Navy List on May 19, 1936, she was sold later that year on September 29. The vessel's career reflects the transitional period of early 20th-century destroyer design and naval tactical experimentation, contributing to the development of naval warfare techniques.

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