USS Mugford (DD-389)

USS Mugford (DD-389)

USS Mugford (DD-389) was a Bagley-class destroyer of the United States Navy. The Bagley class was part of the 1,500-ton destroyer series built in the late 1930s, carrying an exceptionally heavy torpedo armament of sixteen tubes in four quadruple mounts. All eight ships of the class were stationed at Pearl Harbor as Destroyer Squadron 4 on 7 December 1941. Three were lost in combat during the Guadalcanal campaign. Two survivors were used as targets during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946.

Named for Captain James Mugford, who commanded the armed schooner Franklin during the American Revolution and captured the British transport Hope in 1776, USS Mugford was built by Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts and commissioned in August 1937. Survived extensive combat including a devastating kamikaze hit on 5 December 1944 off Leyte that killed 8 men and wounded 16. Repaired and returned to combat. After the war, Mugford was used as a target ship during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. Contaminated by radiation, she was eventually scuttled in deep water off Kwajalein.

USS Mugford earned 10 battle stars for service in: Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Savo Island, New Guinea, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Okinawa. Survived two kamikaze hits. Used as target during Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, 1946. Scuttled off Kwajalein, March 1948.

This collection features apparel and merchandise honoring USS Mugford (DD-389) and the men who served aboard her. 1,646 tons standard displacement. 341 feet in length. Four 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose guns. Sixteen 21-inch torpedo tubes in four quadruple mounts. Top speed 38.5 knots. Crew of 158.