USS Edsall (DE-129) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort that served in the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1943, the ship was named after Seaman Norman W. Edsall, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Edsall participated in convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, engaging in anti-submarine warfare and protecting merchant ships from German U-boats. In 1944, the USS Edsall was transferred to the Pacific theater, where it took part in numerous amphibious operations, including the invasions of Saipan, Guam, and Leyte. The ship also played a crucial role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, a decisive naval engagement in the Pacific War. During its service, the USS Edsall received several commendations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation. In 1945, the USS Edsall was struck by a kamikaze aircraft while on patrol off the coast of Luzon, Philippines, resulting in heavy casualties and extensive damage to the ship. Despite the attack, the crew managed to keep the ship afloat and eventually returned to the United States for repairs. The USS Edsall was decommissioned in 1946 and ultimately sold for scrap in 1973. The ship's service and sacrifices during World War II are commemorated in various memorials and historical records, highlighting its contributions to the Allied victory in the conflict.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.