The USS Reeves (DE-156/APD-52) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II, serving from 1943 to 1946. Constructed at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, she was laid down on February 7, 1943, launched on April 23, 1943, and commissioned on June 9, 1943. The ship was named in honor of Chief Petty Officer Thomas J. Reeves, a Medal of Honor recipient who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Initially, Reeves conducted transatlantic convoy escort missions, beginning her service with a slow convoy to Casablanca in August 1943. After arriving in New York and undergoing training, she spent the next year escorting fast tanker convoys between New York and the United Kingdom. Notably, on March 18, 1944, she rescued 83 of the crew from the sinking SS Seakay, demonstrating her rescue capabilities and heroism, with her coxswain E. E. Angus awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for bravery. The following day, Reeves towed the torpedoed USS Donnell (DE-56), providing assistance until tugs arrived. In September 1944, Reeves underwent a major transformation, being converted into a Charles Lawrence-class high-speed transport (redesignated APD-52). After amphibious training, she deployed to the Pacific Theater, arriving at Ulithi in late February 1945. She participated in the invasion of the Ryukyus, serving initially as a standby ship for Underwater Demolition Team operations, then performing anti-submarine and anti-aircraft screening duties at the Kerama Retto invasion area. Her service in the Pacific lasted over 100 days, including support roles during the Okinawa campaign. Following Japan's surrender, Reeves aided in repatriating former prisoners of war, including Major 'Pappy' Boyington, and supported the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey near Nagasaki. She was the first American ship to anchor off Tokyo after the surrender. She returned to the United States in December 1945, decommissioning in July 1946 at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Her service earned her one battle star, marking her contribution to the Allied war effort. In 1960, she was transferred to Ecuador for use as an electric generator plant, though her final fate remains unknown.

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