U.S. Navy Ships in WWII Dazzle Camouflage 1944-1945

Destroyers

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Flush Deck & Four Stack

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Built during and just after WWI, many had been scrapped, but some remained and were modified to serve other roles as well as convoy escorts. Most originally carried four 4-inch guns, one 3-inch and 12 torpedo tubes.

Ships in red are not confirmed by photographic or textual research.
Click on a blue ship's name or design number to see photos.
Hull NumberNameClassCamouflage DesignDesign DatePaint DateNotes Other
DD-118LeaWickes32/3D*1Using 5-N
DD-126BadgerWickes32/3D*2
DD-142TarbellWickes32/3D (rev)*2
DD-148BreckinridgeWickes32/3D (rev)*1, *2Used 5-N
DD-149BarneyWickes32/3D*2
DD-152DuPontWickes32/3DAs AG-80 also
DD-153BernadouWickes32/3D*2
DD-155ColeWickes32/3D8/2/44*2
DD-213BarkerClemson32/3D10/6/44*3
DD-220MacLeishClemson32/3D (rev)10/6/44*4
DD-223McCormickClemson32/3D10/6/44*5
DD-230Paul JonesClemson32/3D (rev)10/6/44*6
DD-237McFarlandClemson32/3D*2Ex AVD-14
DD-244WilliamsonClemson31/21D10/16/44Ex AVD-2
DD-246BainbridgeClemson32/3D*2
DD-247GoffClemson32/3D7/26/44*7
DD-341DecaturClemson32/3D (rev)*2
DD-342HulbertClemson31/21D4/25/44Ex AVD-6

Notation

Indicates the date that the Bureau of Ships sent to the ship or shipyard drawings and instructions to paint that camouflage design. That directive was usually followed and camouflage completion photos were returned to the Bureau. For the rows that are marked red, no verification memos or photos have yet been found.
Indicates the earliest date that memos or photos confirm painting in that design.

Footnotes

A November 27, 1944, memo notes that the Bureau of Ships had been informed that Boston Shipyard had painted some Atlantic Fleet escorts in 3D using navy blue (5-N) vice dull black (BK).
A July 19, 1944 letter #02098 from CinCLant requested BuShips to paint all Atlantic Fleet destroyers in camouflage 32/3D during each ship's next shipyard overhaul.
An October 24, 1944 memo from Boston Shipyard to the Bureau of Ships reported DD-213 was painted in 32/3D on 10/6/44.
An October 24, 1944 memo from Boston Shipyard to the Bureau of Ships reported DD-220 was painted in 32/3D (reversed) on 10/6/44.
An October 24, 1944 memo from Boston Shipyard to the Bureau of Ships reported DD-223 was painted in 32/3D on 10/6/44.
An October 24, 1944 memo from Boston Shipyard to the Bureau of Ships reported DD-230 was painted in 32/3D (reversed) on 10/6/44.
An August 21, 1944 memo from New York Shipyard to the Bureau of Ships reported DD-247 was painted in 32/3D on 7/26/44.