From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” (1968) Vol. 3, p.331. HILL DE-141 Displacement: 1,200 t. Length: 306’ Beam: 36’7” Draft: 8’7” Speed: 21 k. Complement: 186 Armament: 3 3”; 2 40mm; 8 20mm; 3 21” torpedo tubes; 2 depth charge tracks; 8 depth charge projectors; 1 hedge hog Class: EDSALL HILL (DE-141) was launched 28 February 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Tex.; sponsored by Mrs. Edward Hill, widow of Chief Boatswain Hill; and commissioned there 16 August 1943, Lt. Comdr. G. R Keating in command. After shakedown out of Bermuda, HILL tested new torpedo explosives and engaged in training along the New England coast. Departing Hampton Roads 5 December, HILL escorted a convoy to Casablanca via Ponta del Gada, Azores, and returned to the States 18 January 1944. During the next year, the destroyer escort made four more transatlantic voyages to the North African coast as Allied forces pushed up the Italian peninsula and began their assault on southern France. On her fourth voyage, HILL performed antisubmarine patrol at Bahia, Brazil, and Cape Town, South Africa. Following operations in the Caribbean, February-March 1945, HILL proceeded to Argentia, Newfoundland, 3 April to serve as convoy screen and plane guard for escort carrier MISSION BAY (CVE-59). After repairs at New York, she participated in training exercises until sailing for the Caribbean 2 July. Two weeks later, HILL sailed for the Pacific via the Canal Zone. En route to Hawaii, HILL received word of Japanese capitulation and, after putting in at Pearl Harbor sailed for home again. HILL reached Green Cove Springs, Fla., via San Pedro, the Panama Canal, and Charleston 27 October 1945. She decommissioned and was placed in reserve there 7 June 1946 where she remains. [Stricken from the Navy Register on 1 October 1972, HILL was sold on 18 January 1974. K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of the U. S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.224.] Transcribed by Michael Hansen mhansen2@attbi.com