Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Naval History Division • Washington

USS PC-559

(PC-559: dp. 284; l. 173'8"; b. 23'; dr. 10'10"; a. 1 3", 2 dct., 2 k-guns, 2 dc; s. 21 k.; cpl 65; cl. PC-461)


PC-559 was laid down 14 October 1941 at Jeffersonville Boat and Machinery Co., Jeffersonville, Ind.; launched 12 February 1942; and commissioned 21 May 1942, Lt. John R. Cain in command.

The patrol craft served as a control craft for the landings at Salerno, Italy, 8-9 September 1943, under heavy shore fire and aerial attacks, before retiring from the beach to take up antisubmarine patrol. Her perseverance u8nder fire earned her a Navy Unit Commendation.

On 6 June 1944, PC-559 shot down a German bomber over the mouth of the Tiber River in Italy.

PC-559 helped evacuate Tunis, then participated in three landings on Sicily and southern France.

On 6 October 1944, PC-559 was transferred to France under Lend-Lease, serving there as Voltigeur.

PC-559 earned five battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation for her participation in World War II.


Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey (patrick@akamail.com)