USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390)

USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390)

USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390) 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 First Lieutenant Ralph Talbot, USMC, a World War I Marine aviator who received the Medal of Honor for an aerial bombing mission against German targets near Pittham, Belgium, in October 1918, USS Ralph Talbot was built by Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts and commissioned in October 1937. At the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942, Ralph Talbot was heavily damaged by Japanese cruiser gunfire, taking multiple hits that started fires and knocked out her torpedo tubes. Despite severe damage, her crew kept her afloat and fighting. Later hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa in April 1945. After the war, used as a target at the Bikini atomic tests. Scuttled due to radiation contamination.

USS Ralph Talbot earned 13 battle stars for service in: Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Savo Island, Guadalcanal, Eastern Solomons, New Guinea, Saipan, Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa. Survived kamikaze hit off Okinawa. Used as target during Operation Crossroads atomic tests at Bikini Atoll, 1946. Scuttled off Kwajalein, March 1948.

This collection features apparel and merchandise honoring USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390) 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.