Trumpeter 1/200 USS-Fletcher DD-445 # 03723

The USS Fletcher (DD-445) was the lead ship of the Fletcher-class destroyers, the most numerous and one of the most successful destroyer classes used by the United States Navy during World War II.

Named after Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, the ship played a key role in many major Pacific Theater operations and set the standard for destroyer design for years to come.

General Characteristics:
Class & Type: Fletcher-class destroyer
Displacement: ~2,050 tons (standard), ~2,500 tons (full load)
Length: 376.5 ft (114.8 m)
Beam: 39.7 ft (12.1 m)
Draft: 17.9 ft (5.5 m)
Propulsion: 4 boilers, 2 geared steam turbines, 60,000 shp (shaft horsepower), 2 propellers
Speed: Up to 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Crew: Approx. 273 officers and enlisted
Armament (WWII configuration):
5 × 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber dual-purpose guns
10 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
Anti-aircraft guns (varied over time): 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikon cannons
Depth charge projectors and racks for anti-submarine warfare

Service Highlights:
Commissioned: June 30, 1942
Decommissioned: August 15, 1969
WWII Battles: Participated in key engagements including the Battle of Guadalcanal, Leyte Gulf, Okinawa, and operations throughout the Solomon Islands and the Philippines

Known for durability, firepower, and maneuverability, USS Fletcher earned a reputation for both offensive punch and survivability

Received 15 battle stars for World War II service—among the highest awarded to any destroyer of the war

Legacy:
The USS Fletcher set the design benchmark for future destroyers, balancing speed, armament, and seakeeping.

As the first of 175 ships in its class, it demonstrated the effectiveness of a versatile, heavily armed, and fast destroyer in modern naval warfare.

The Fletcher-class destroyers continued serving into the Cold War era with some being transferred to allied navies.

The USS Fletcher (DD-445) stands as a symbol of U.S. naval power in the mid-20th century—a vessel that exemplified resilience, innovation, and combat excellence.