USS Mack
USS Mack (DE-358) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. The ship was scrapped in 1973. Namesake Harold John Mack was born on 29 December 1917 in LeMars, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Navy on 18 May 1938. He reported to on 14 September 1938 after completing training at Great Lakes, Illinois. During the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942, Gunner's Mate 2/c Mack was incapacitated by severe wounds in both legs. In spite of his injuries he continued to fulfill his duties as gun captain until ordered to abandon ship. After the loss of the ship, Mack was reported missing in action and was declared dead on 10 August 1943. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. History The warship was launched on 11 April 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Shipbuilding Division at Orange, Texas, sponsored by Mrs. Gertrude Mack, mother of the ship's namesake. The destroyer escort was commissioned on 16 August 1944. Pacific Theatre operations After initial shakedown exercises off the U.S. East Coast, Mack assembled with ComCortDiv 82 at Norfolk, Virginia, 17 to 20 October 1944, and departed on 21 November for the Panama Canal en