James Kyes (DD 787) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS James E. Kyes DD-787 The USS JAMES E. KYES (DD-787) was built by Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle, Washington. She was launched on 4 August 1945 and was commissioned on 8 February 1946. She completed FRAM MK 1 conversion at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on 18 January 1963. The ship was named in honor of, Commander James Elsworth KYES, USN, who received the Navy Cross with the following citation: For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the USS LEARY during action against a concentrated force of hostile enemy sub- marines in the North Atlantic. As Commander KYES boldly maneuvered to close the range on four of the hostile pack the enemy struck, mortally damaging the LEARY with three torpedo hits and causing her to start sinking rapidly. After giving the order to abandon ship, Commander KYES cooly and courageously made a personal inspection in order to assure himself that none of his men remained aboard. Preparing to abandon the stricken vessel and observing one of his crew whose life jacket was torn and useless. Commander KYES gallantly removed his own, gave it to the man and then calmly went over the side. His heroic conduct and fearless spirit of self sacrifice in a time of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Commander KYES was reported Missing in action when it was announced that the LEARY had been sunk on December 24, 1943. The KYES is a 2200 ton destroyer of the Gearing Class. Her offensive capabilities include all phases of Naval Operations against an enemy including carrier task force operations, shore-bombardment, anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, anti-surface and hunter-killer operations. Since undergoing the MK 1 FRAM Conversion, the KYES specializes in HUK (hunter-killer) operations. To carry out this mission the ship is outfitted for the Navy ' s newest Anti-submarine warfare weapons - ASROC (Anti-submarine rocket) and DASH (Drone Anti-sul)marine Helicopter).