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Kimberly file photo [1540]

Kimberly

CountryUnited States
Ship ClassFletcher-class Destroyer
Hull NumberDD-521
BuilderBethlehem Mariners Harbor, Staten Island, New York, United States
Laid Down27 Jul 1942
Launched3 Feb 1943
Commissioned22 May 1943
Decommissioned5 Feb 1947
Sunk14 Oct 2003
Displacement2,050 tons standard
Length377 feet
Beam40 feet
Draft18 feet
MachineryGeneral Electric geared turbines with two screws
Power Output60,000 shaft horsepower
Speed35 knots
Range6,500nm at 15 knots
Crew336
Armament5x5in/38 cal guns, 10x40mm anti-aircraft guns, 7x20mm anti-aircraft guns, 10x21in torpedo tubes, 6x depth charge projectors, 2x depth charge tracks
Recommissioned1951
Decommission15 Jan 1954
Acquired by ROC1 Jun 1967
Commission by ROC Navy2 Jun 1967
Decommissioned by ROC Navy16 Sep 1999

Contributor:

ww2dbaseUSS Kimberly was commissioned in May 1943 and sent to the Pacific five months later. Her first mission was to escort other warships from Japanese submarines and to provide naval gunfire support for Marines on the ground during the Gilbert Islands invasion. Between Jan 1944 and Sep 1944, she was based in the Aleutian Islands, where she performed anti-submarine patrols, bombarded Japanese positions in the Aleutian Island and the Kurile Islands, and conducted training. After a brief time in San Francisco, California, United States, she sailed to Manus, Admiralty Islands, from where she escorted two supply convoys for American troops fighting in the Philippine Islands. During the campaign in the Philippine Islands, she provided gunfire support for troops fighting on the ground and she shot down several Japanese aircaft, some of which were on special attack suicide missions. In Mar 1945 Kimberly was assigned to radar picket duty during the invasion of Okinawa, Japan, where she was attacked by two special attack D3A aircraft, one of which successfully slammed into USS Kimberly. The resulting explosion killed 22 (4 officially listed as killed in action and 18 listed as missing as the direct result of the attack) and wounded 57. She spent two months at the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States for repairs after the suicide attacks. By the time she returned to the war zone, Japan had just surrendered.

ww2dbaseAfter the war, USS Kimberly escorted the battleship USS Missouri back to the United States. She was decommissioned at Charleston, South Carolina, United States and was placed in reserve. She was recommissioned for three years during the Korean War. Returning to the United States in Dec 1951, she operated along the US east coast and in the Caribbean Sea. After decommissioning for the second time in Jan 1954, she remained in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Charleston for the next 12 years. In Jul 1966, she set sail to Boston Naval Shipyard in preparation for being loaned to the Republic of China (Taiwan). The transfer to Taiwan took place in Jun 1967, where she served under the name An Yang. She was modernized in the mid-1980s. She was decommissioned by the Republic of China Navy in 1999 and was sunk as a target ship in Oct 2003.

ww2dbaseSource: Naval Historical Center.

Last Major Revision: Jan 2021

Destroyer Kimberly (DD-521) Interactive Map

Photographs

Destroyer USS Kimberly in Measure 32/6D paint scheme seen from an LST south of Okinawa, Japan, 29-31 Mar 1945.Top view of destroyers Kimberly (left), Young (right), and Ross (only stem visible, at top of photograph) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, 26 Jun 1945
See all 4 photographs of Destroyer Kimberly (DD-521)

Kimberly Operational Timeline

27 Jul 1942 The keel of destroyer Kimberly was laid down by Bethlehem Mariners Harbor, Staten Island, New York, United States.
3 Feb 1943 Kimberly was launched by at the Bethlehem Mariners Harbor yard at Staten Island, New York, United States, sponsored by Elsie S. Kimberly, the daughter of Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, for whom the destroyer was named after.
22 May 1943 Kimberly was commissioned into service with Commander Harry W. Smith in command.
10 Sep 1943 USS Kimberly departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
20 Nov 1943 USS Kimberly arrived off Makin, Gilbert Islands.
6 Dec 1943 USS Kimberly departed the Gilbert Islands for San Francisco, California, United States for repairs.
22 Jan 1944 USS Kimberly departed San Francisco, California, United States for the Aleutian Islands.
1 Feb 1944 USS Kimberly departed Attu, Aleutian Islands, US Territory of Alaska.
18 Sep 1944 USS Kimberly departed the Aleutian Islands for San Francisco, California, United States.
10 Nov 1944 USS Kimberly departed Manus, Admiralty Islands, escorting a supply convoy for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands.
21 Dec 1944 While escorting a supply convoy for Mangarin Bay in the Philippine Islands, USS Kimberly came under Japanese aerial attack; her gunners claimed to have shot down one and assisted in the downing of two others.
2 Jan 1945 USS Kimberly departed Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands to screen a battleship group toward Luzon.
6 Jan 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands. Her gunners shot down two Japanese aircraft that day.
21 Mar 1945 USS Kimberly departed San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands for radar picket duty.
26 Mar 1945 USS Kimberly was struck by a special attack D3A aircraft; 22 men were lost.
1 Apr 1945 USS Kimberly departed Okinawa, Japan.
25 Apr 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
10 Aug 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
4 Sep 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Tokyo Bay, Japan.
6 Sep 1945 USS Kimberly departed Tokyo Bay, Japan to escort USS Missouri for the United States.
18 Oct 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
2 Nov 1945 USS Kimberly departed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
3 Nov 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, United States.
5 Feb 1947 Kimberly was decommissioned from service.
8 Feb 1951 USS Kimberly was recommissioned into service with Commander Oscar B. Parker in command.
15 May 1951 USS Kimberly departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
18 Jun 1951 USS Kimberly arrived at Yokosuka, Japan.
23 Jun 1951 USS Kimberly departed Yokosuka, Japan for the Yellow Sea.
6 Oct 1951 USS Kimberly set sail toward the Suez Canal.
12 Dec 1951 USS Kimberly arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
20 Jun 1953 USS Kimberly arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, United States.
15 Jan 1954 USS Kimberly was decommissioned from service.
1 Jun 1967 Kimberly was acquired by the Republic of China.
2 Jun 1967 ROCS An Yang was commissioned into service.
25 Jan 1974 Kimberly was struck from the US Navy Register.
16 Sep 1999 ROCS An Yang was decommissioned from serivce.
14 Oct 2003 An Yang was sunk as a target.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
9 Mar 2010 08:40:54 PM

My name is Kimberly:)
2. Anonymous says:
23 Mar 2011 11:40:07 AM

My dad's cousin was one of the men killed,
(John Talbert) they were best friends and joined the navy together. They were supposed to stay together but John did not pass his physical the first time.Dad was on subchaser during the war. He said they never found his cousin's body.
3. Scott says:
18 Jun 2011 04:06:33 PM

I have a relative, Charles Anders Blake, who was also one of the four crewmen killed that day. He was only 24.
4. Greg Skidmore says:
15 Jul 2011 05:06:29 PM

My father replaced one of the men killed that day. If interested, I have crew pictures from back then if anyone wants to email me. Someone sent them to me and yes, I did find my father in one of them.
5. Anonymous says:
5 Aug 2011 06:21:59 PM

Email for above skid1957@yahoo.com
6. Anonymous says:
11 Jun 2012 09:50:53 PM

My Dad was a crew member of the USS Kimberley. He has never talked very much about his service. I remember being very young and a man visiting and finding out he saved his life by cutting off his foot. If anyone has any stories about Fred Roma I would love to know them.
7. Anonymous says:
28 Jun 2012 01:20:20 PM

My dad John Savage never talked much about his years serving until he was diagnosed with cancer. He died Oct.21, 2012. One of his prized possessions were about 75-100 color slides of scenes on the USS Kimberly. Both the slides and pictures were lost when I had them (the slides) turned into photos for him. If anyone had any copies of colored pictures or slides they could email me I would be most grateful. I am putting his old navy photo album back together the best I can.
8. Anonymous says:
28 Jun 2012 01:21:44 PM

I forgot to included the years of service for my dad John Savage on the USS Kimberly. They were from 1942-1945.
9. Clinton Holley says:
11 Jul 2012 07:19:10 AM

Mr. Skidmore, my father (same name)served on the Kimberly from commissioning to the end of the war. I would like to seee if he is in any of the pictures. Let me know how to connect with you.
10. Anonymous says:
20 Oct 2012 07:14:30 PM

My grandfather, Willie Ross Wall from Oklahoma, was serving on the Kimberly when she was hit. I would very much love to have any pictures that anyone would be kind enough to share. It's so important to keep passing this history to our kids and grandkids. Thanks.
11. Sara says:
6 Mar 2014 01:48:10 PM

My uncle Carl Beecher Grizzle from Bellefonte (Ashland) Kentucky was killed aboard the USS Kimberly in WWII during a Kamakazi Raid on the ship. I would truly love to find any folks out there who may have known Carl. Our family would most appreciate any information.
12. Alice says:
11 Aug 2014 06:10:36 PM

My husbands Uncle JC Cooksey was killed on the USS Kimberly in 1945.. He was only 17 ... My husband serves in the Navy now and if anyone has any photos they would like to share we would be so grateful..
13. Mike Feierstein says:
20 Mar 2015 12:01:14 PM

My father-in-law served on the USS Kimberly. We lost him in 1995 and I have looked everywhere for any memorabelia or photos. Can anyone help? I'd love to surprise my wife (his daughter) with some items.
14. Anonymous says:
18 Jul 2015 01:19:52 PM

It seems that the USS Kimberely was an after thought. It is very difficult to find information about. Ancestry.com posted Navy cruise books. The Kimberely was left out.
15. Cathy ginger says:
7 Nov 2015 11:09:55 AM

Not sure if this thread is still read but my grandfather was on this boat I would like some pics if anyone has them even of the crew my daughter is interested in seeing them..
16. Anonymous says:
25 Jan 2017 06:39:49 AM

My Uncle was on the USS Kimberly and over the gun crew...He died as a result of the ship being attacked by kamikaze plane... Would love to know if anyone knew him...His name was Carl Grizzle
17. Matt says:
15 Aug 2017 05:19:28 PM

I have pictures of the crew and the ship. I don't know who is in any of them other than my grandfather, Arthur Ankerich. Here is a link to my flickr page. Please comment if you can identify anyone. https://www.flickr.com/photos/imattpro/
18. Lisa Shepherd says:
10 Jan 2019 12:16:16 PM

My uncle, Howard Anderson, served on the Kimberly from 1944-46. He still has very vivid memories of the day the ship was hit. He saw the plane and was midship. He tells a very interesting story. He has the memorial program honoring those lost that day. He has memories of Carl Grizzle and others. Feel free to email me at lisatallman58@hotmail.com.
19. Jack Hill says:
1 Mar 2019 12:43:31 PM

Will the uncle of Carl Grizzle please contact me. My Dad, William Hill, may have known your uncle.

t456bu1@gmail.com
20. Jack Hill says:
1 Mar 2019 12:47:00 PM

Matt, cannot see any pictures on the flickr.com link you provided. Can share some information with you regarding my father who was on the Kimberly.

t456bu1@gmail.com
21. Jack Hill says:
5 Mar 2019 10:36:49 AM

I have a picture of the crew and several other items of interest.

I have been in contact with Lisa Shephard and will try to contact Greg Skidmore. For all others, I have no contact information. Will gladly share if you will contact me at:

t456bu1@gmail.com

Please provide your email if interested, either directly to me in email or via this forum.
22. Carl says:
10 Apr 2019 05:17:14 PM

Michael Tarantino CPO on Kimberly?
23. Matt says:
29 Apr 2019 09:55:18 AM

Updated photo link https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B155yeZFhG5wM30
24. Jack Hill says:
29 Apr 2019 12:53:09 PM

Carl, please contact me. Not sure about the CPO, but trying to assemble any information on crew of the USS Kimberly.

Have not yet found Michael Tarantino on any rosters I have discovered.
25. Jack Hill says:
1 May 2019 12:31:00 PM

Thanks Carl. Will investigate further. Now looking at the crew muster logs from the Kimberly 1942-1945. Interesting.
26. Betty says:
1 Apr 2020 11:30:17 AM

Last name Miller, family history says he was killed when ship was hit by kamikaze planes. Could he have been one of these four crewman?
27. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
2 Apr 2020 09:59:23 PM

Betty (above):
According to Kimberley’s war diary, none of the four sailors killed in the 26 Mar 1945 attack had the last name of Miller.
28. Cathy A Singleton says:
10 Jan 2021 06:16:27 AM

My uncle Carl Grizzle was aboard the USS Kimberly and I think the was one of the four gun crew that was killed he was in charge of the ships gun crew,do you have any information...
29. Commenter identity confirmed David Stubblebine says:
10 Jan 2021 06:07:16 PM

Special thanks to Cathy Singleton (above) for posing this question (again). This sent me looking deeper into the records and I discovered a small but significant error in the US Navy’s official history of the USS Kimberly as recorded in the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS). The DANFS entry says four Kimberly sailors were killed in the special attack of 26 Mar 1945 but this is incomplete and ultimately incorrect. The Kimberly Muster Rolls list four were “Killed in Action” but also lists 18 sailors (including one officer) as “Missing” with notations that they were “Lost overboard in an explosion resulting from Japanese plane crash on deck.” The war diaries say that once the fires were out, the ship lowered a whaleboat to search the area for survivors but none were found. So the total death toll was actually 22 rather than four. The text above has been amended to reflect this.

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More on Kimberly
Event(s) Participated:
» Gilbert Islands Campaign
» Philippines Campaign, Phase 1, the Leyte Campaign
» Philippines Campaign, Phase 2
» Okinawa Campaign

Destroyer Kimberly (DD-521) Photo Gallery
Destroyer USS Kimberly in Measure 32/6D paint scheme seen from an LST south of Okinawa, Japan, 29-31 Mar 1945.Top view of destroyers Kimberly (left), Young (right), and Ross (only stem visible, at top of photograph) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, 26 Jun 1945
See all 4 photographs of Destroyer Kimberly (DD-521)


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