From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Vol. III, 1968, Navy Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division, Washington, D.C.

KYNE (DE-744)

Elden Francis Kyne, born 4 June 1910, in Ringgold, Nebr., enlisted in the Navy 1 February 1929. He was appointed Machinist 15 April 1941. Reporting on board ASTORIA (CA-34) 8 August 1941, Kyne was commissioned Ensign 15 June 1942. Ens. Kyne was killed in action 9 August 1942, when ASTORIA was sunk by Japanese naval forces during the battle of Savo Island.

dp. 1,240; l. 306'; b. 36' 8"; dr. 8' 9"; s. 21 k.; cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 2 40-mm., 10 20-mm., 9 dcp., 2 dct., 3 21" tt.; cl. CANNON

KYNE (DE-744) was laid down on 16 April 1943, by the Western Pipe & Steel Co., Los Angeles, Calif.; launched 15 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Alma Marion Kyne, widow of Ens. Kyne; and commissioned 4 April 1944, Comdr, A. Jackson, Jr., in command.

After shakedown along the West Coast, KYNE cleared Los Angeles 6 June 1944, to join the Pacific Fleet. Following training and escort duty at Pearl Harbor, KYNE was underway 12 August to screen a task force which brought material and ships for the impending Palau Islands invasion. She departed Manus 15 September as escort to transports filled with garrison troops and supplies, landing at Peleliu 20 September. KYNE sailed the same day as escort to a convoy carrying wounded marines from the scene of battle.

For the next 3 months the destroyer escort continued screening operations out of Ulithi for a fleet logistic support unit which replenished both Task Force 38 and Task Force 58. Departing Ulithi 2 January 1945, KYNE provided escort service for refueling operations in support of the Luzon landings 6 January. She remained on station in the Philippines before returning Ulithi 21 January to prepare for the Iwo Jima landings.

Operating together with support units, she departed Ulithi 8 February to provide a screen for refueling operations during the Iwo Jima invasion. When that island was secure, giving the United States an air strip vitally needed as base for future B-29 raids on Japan, KYNE returned Ulithi 5 March. Sailing again 25 March as a screen to oilers, she made her way to Okinawa-the last step on the road to Japan. She continued screen and patrol operations for the support unit throughout most of the Okinawa campaign, returning Ulithi 21 May.

KYNE cleared San Pedro Bay, P.I., 2 June to screen escort carriers as they provided air support for the invasion near Balikpapan, Borneo. Following the Borneo landings, she returned to the logistic support group during July as planes of the fleet rained fire on the Japanese home islands. Upon cessation of hostilities 14 August and after 43 days at sea, KYNE arrived Tokyo Bay 28 August as part of the occupation force. Departing Yokosuka 2 October, the destroyer escort arrived Philadelphia 23 November via Pearl Harbor and Long Beach. KYNE decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Fla., 14 June 1946.

During 1947 KYNE was designated in service, in reserve, and operated as a reserve training ship out of Port Schuyler, N.Y. She recommissioned 21 November 1950 Lt. Comdr. Carl L. Scherrer in command; and was assigned to the 3d Naval District as a reserve training ship. For the next nine years, KYNE provided the training necessary to maintain a well-drilled reserve, ready to defend the nation during any crisis. KYNE decommissioned 17 June 1960, at New York.

KYNE received six battle stars for World War II service.

Photo 02 Michael McKenna (second from left) and some of the crew in 1959 in Gitmo Bay Cuba getting ready to play a baseball game against the base team.
Photo 04 RM3 Michael McKenna
Photo 05 McKenna on a friends ship.