USS Harold C. Thomas
USS Harold C. Thomas (DE-21) was an constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. It was promptly sent off into the Pacific Ocean to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese submarines and fighter aircraft. At the end of the war, she returned to the United States with two battle stars. She was launched on 18 December 1942 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, as HMS Essington (BDE-21) for the British Royal Navy; later designated for U.S. Navy use; and commissioned on 31 May 1943. Namesake Harold Chester Tomas was born on 7 May 1907 in Gleo, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the Navy on 28 January 1927. He was appointed Carpenter on 8 February 1933 and served on various ships and at Cavite Naval Yard before being commissioned Chief Carpenter 24 March 1939. He reported to on 14 May 1940 and was appointed Lieutenant (junior grade) on 1 September 1942. During the Battle of Cape Esperance, 11–12 October 1942, Boise was badly hit by Imperial Japanese Navy gunfire. He was killed while working with damage control parties to keep his ship in the battle, and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. World War II Pacific