The USS Palmer (DD-161) was a Wickes-class destroyer constructed for the United States Navy, later converted into a minesweeper designated DMS-5. Laid down on May 29, 1918, by Fore River Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts, she was launched on August 18, 1918, and commissioned on November 22 of the same year. The vessel was named after Rear Admiral James Shedden Palmer. Initially assigned to the Pacific Fleet, Palmer participated in fleet operations until her decommissioning at San Diego on May 31, 1922. She remained in reserve until her recommissioning on August 7, 1940. Following her conversion to a minesweeper on November 19, 1940, she was reclassified as DMS-5 and joined Mine Division 19 out of Norfolk, Virginia. Her duties included escorting ships across the Atlantic and Caribbean. During World War II, Palmer played a vital role in several key operations. She was part of the force that supported the invasion of North Africa in November 1942, conducting exploratory sweeps and anti-submarine screens off Fedala. She also seized a French trawler and engaged enemy shore batteries. Throughout 1943, Palmer continued escort duties in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Northwestern Atlantic. In 1944, she transferred to the Pacific theater, participating in the Mariana and Leyte Gulf invasions. Notably, she arrived off Saipan for screening and sweep operations in June 1944, and later supported the Leyte landings in October. During the Lingayen Gulf operation in January 1945, Palmer was hit by a Japanese bomb, causing a catastrophic explosion that sank her within six minutes. The attack resulted in two fatalities, 38 wounded, and 26 missing crew members. For her service during World War II, the USS Palmer received five battle stars, marking her as a notable vessel in the Allied naval efforts.

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