USS Kilty
USS Kilty (DD–137) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was the first ship named for Admiral Augustus Kilty. Kilty was launched 25 April 1918 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California; sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Harrison Shapley; and commissioned 17 December 1918. Service history After a Caribbean shakedown and a European cruise during the summer of 1919, Kilty returned to San Diego and operated there until she decommissioned 5 June 1922. World War II Kilty recommissioned 18 December 1939, and in April 1940 sailed on Neutrality Patrol out of San Diego. During the summer, she conducted reserve training cruises and resumed her patrols early in September. The destroyer continued these operations until the United States entered World War II. Then, Kilty intensified ASW patrols, trained armed-guard crews for merchantmen, and escorted coastal convoys throughout 1942. Reclassified APD-15 on 2 January 1943, Kilty cleared Mare Island 2 March for the South Pacific. After arriving Noumea 8 April with a Marine Raiders battalion, the transport steamed toward Guadalcanal as an ASW screen 28 April. She made similar cruises until June when she reported for patrol and escort duty in the Solomons. Kilty played a vital role in