USS Laffey (DD-459)
| Navy | US Navy |
| Type | Destroyer |
| Class | Bristol |
| Pennant | DD 459 |
| Built by | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co. (San Francisco, California, U.S.A.) |
| Laid down | 13 Jan 1941 |
| Launched | 30 Oct 1941 |
| Commissioned | 31 Mar 1942 |
| Lost | 13 Nov 1942 |
| Loss position | off Savo, Solomon Islands |
| History | USS Laffey (Lt Cdmr William Edwin Hank) fought several battles as the Navy's youngest destroyer. At Guadalcanal, 14-inch shells from the Japanese battleship Hiei ripped her open, starting fires. The order to abandon ship was given as a torpedo came and tore her to pieces, detonating her depth charges. 56 of the crew died and 186 were rescued by higgin boats though 114 were wounded. The Commanding officer was killed in the sinking and the Laffey earned a Presidential Unit Citation for this action. |
| Commander | |
| Lt.Cdr. William Edwin Hank, USN 31 Mar 1942---13 Nov 1942 | |
