WThe Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Another twelve ships were completed as destroyer minelayers. The class was named for Allen Melancthon Sumner, an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Often referred to as simply the Sumner, this class was characterized by their twin 5-inch/38 caliber gun mounts, dual rudders, additional anti-aircraft weapons, and many other advancements over the previous Fletcher class. The Allen M. Sumner design was extended 14 feet (4.3 m) amidships to become the Gearing class, which was produced in larger numbers.
WUSS Bristol (DD-857), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Mark Lambert Bristol, who served as Commander-in-Chief North Atlantic Fleet from 1901 to 1903.
WUSS Brush (DD-745), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charles Brush, an American inventor and philanthropist.
WUSS English (DD-696), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, named for Rear Admiral Robert Henry English, a submariner who commanded the cruiser Helena and was awarded the Navy Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Rear Admiral English was still serving when killed in a flying boat accident in California 21 January 1943.
WUSS Haynsworth (DD-700), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Commander William M. Haynsworth, Jr., the commander of the Ingraham, when it accidentally collided with Chemung. The resulting collision caused Ingraham's depth charges to explode while still on her stern. The explosion resulted in the loss of the entire crew except for one officer and ten enlisted.
WUSS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Samuel N. Moore. He took command of the cruiser Quincy on 20 May 1942 and died on the night of 9 August 1942 when the ship was sunk while fighting in the Battle of Savo Island.
WUSS Brush (DD-745), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charles Brush, an American inventor and philanthropist.
WUSS Bristol (DD-857), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Mark Lambert Bristol, who served as Commander-in-Chief North Atlantic Fleet from 1901 to 1903.
WUSS English (DD-696), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, named for Rear Admiral Robert Henry English, a submariner who commanded the cruiser Helena and was awarded the Navy Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Rear Admiral English was still serving when killed in a flying boat accident in California 21 January 1943.
WUSS John A. Bole (DD-755), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Commander John Archibald Bole, Jr., who was the commanding officer of Amberjack which is thought to be lost on 16 February 1943.
WUSS John W. Thomason (DD-760), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for John William Thomason, Jr., a USMC officer who was awarded the Navy Cross for bravery during World War I.
WUSS Taussig (DD-746) was an American Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. It was named for Edward D. Taussig, a rear admiral of the United States Navy whose career spanned over 50 years. Adm. Taussig is remembered for claiming Wake Island for the United States on January 17, 1899 while commanding the gunboat Bennington and for accepting the physical relinquishment of Guam from Spain, ending 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. The ship was laid down on 30 August 1943 at Staten Island, New York, by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; launched on 25 January 1944; sponsored by Miss Ellen M. Taussig, Adm. Taussig's granddaughter; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 20 May 1944, Commander Joseph A. Robbins in command.
WUSS Lofberg (DD-759), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Gus Brynolf Lofberg, Jr., who was the commander of the destroyer Little, which was lost in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
WUSS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was laid down on 11 September 1943 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine and launched on 12 February 1944; sponsored by Miss Cecelia A. Swenson, daughter of Captain Swenson. The ship was commissioned at Boston Navy Yard on 2 May 1944, Commander Francis T. Williamson in command.
WUSS Maddox (DD-731), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer was named after Captain William A. T. Maddox of the United States Marine Corps. She was laid down by the Bath Iron Works Corporation at Bath in Maine on 28 October 1943, launched on 19 March 1944 by Mrs. Harry H. Wilhoit, granddaughter of Captain Maddox, and commissioned on 2 June 1944.
WUSS John W. Thomason (DD-760), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for John William Thomason, Jr., a USMC officer who was awarded the Navy Cross for bravery during World War I.
WUSS Maddox (DD-731), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer was named after Captain William A. T. Maddox of the United States Marine Corps. She was laid down by the Bath Iron Works Corporation at Bath in Maine on 28 October 1943, launched on 19 March 1944 by Mrs. Harry H. Wilhoit, granddaughter of Captain Maddox, and commissioned on 2 June 1944.
WUSS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Samuel N. Moore. He took command of the cruiser Quincy on 20 May 1942 and died on the night of 9 August 1942 when the ship was sunk while fighting in the Battle of Savo Island.
WUSS Taussig (DD-746) was an American Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. It was named for Edward D. Taussig, a rear admiral of the United States Navy whose career spanned over 50 years. Adm. Taussig is remembered for claiming Wake Island for the United States on January 17, 1899 while commanding the gunboat Bennington and for accepting the physical relinquishment of Guam from Spain, ending 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. The ship was laid down on 30 August 1943 at Staten Island, New York, by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; launched on 25 January 1944; sponsored by Miss Ellen M. Taussig, Adm. Taussig's granddaughter; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 20 May 1944, Commander Joseph A. Robbins in command.
WUSS Haynsworth (DD-700), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Commander William M. Haynsworth, Jr., the commander of the Ingraham, when it accidentally collided with Chemung. The resulting collision caused Ingraham's depth charges to explode while still on her stern. The explosion resulted in the loss of the entire crew except for one officer and ten enlisted.