This is the first of three sets of photographs of the USS Calvert taken by the U.S. Navy during World War II. I was informed of the existence of these photographs by Dennis Worthington, son of the late Hoyt Worthington who served aboard the Calvert during WWII.

The original photographs are available at the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) website, here (click on the “images” tab)

This first set shows the Calvert in her very early days, likely in the vicinity of Baltimore, MD or Norfolk, VA just prior to, or soon after, the ship’s commissioning on October 1, 1942.

Click on each image to open a new page showing the full large-size image, and an excellent view of the details of the ship’s form and mechanicals prior to later upgrades which took place several times during the war.

Mr. McKinnon, who recently turned 100, is highlighted in the article below. Published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the article highlights his time aboard the USS Calvert leading up to and during the Invasion of North Africa in November 1942, as well as his Naval career following the war.

• https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/stories/battles-blessings-a-century-lee-mckinnons-story-of-service-and-strength

Several additional articles covering Mr. McKinnon’s life experience and 30-year naval career are available here:

• 2021 article: https://news.va.gov/91610/veteranoftheday-navy-veteran-lee-o-mckinnon-sr/
• 2013 article: https://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-lauderdale/article33499251.html

Video interview with Mr. McKinnon by the National World War II Museum, 2015

• Becoming a Navy Man

View and download the 71 page document here: USS Calvert – Historical Research Notes – 1960.11.22 to 1961.07.21 (the document will open in a new tab).

Chronological highlights for this period include:

• Departure from the U.S. Naval Station, San Diego, for a Far East Cruise – November 22
• Pearl Harbor, November 29 – December 1
• Underway to Yokosuka, Japan – December 1 – 13
• Yokosuka, Japan – December 13 – 15
• Underway to Iwakuni, Japan – December 15 – 17
• Iwakuni, Japan – December 17 – 19
• Underway for Okinawa – December 19 – 21
• Buckner Bay, Okinawa – December 21 – January 24
• Underway for exercises off Okinawa – January 24 – 26
• Buckner Bay, Okinawa – January 26 – February 1
• Naha, Okinawa – February 1 – 3
• Underway to Chinhae, Korea – February 3 – 6
• Chinhae, Korea – February 6 – 8
• Amphibious exercises with ROK, Koje Do, Korea – February 8 – 10
• Underway for Yokosuka, Japan – February 10 – 13
• Yokosuka, Japan – February 13 – 22
• Underway for Hong Kong – February 22 – 27
• Hong Kong – February 27 – March 6
• Underway to Chimu Wan, Okinawa – March 6 – 10
• Exercises at Chimu Wan and Buckner Bay, Okinawa – March 10 – 18
• Underway to Kagoshima, Japan – March 18 – 20
• Kagoshima, Japan – March 20 – 23
• Underway to Buckner Bay – March 23 – 24
• Buckner Bay – March 24 – 26
• Underway to the South China Sea – March 26 – 30
• Underway in the South China Sea – March 31 – April 7
• Underway to Okinawa – April 8 – 10
• Buckner Bay, Okinawa – April 10 – 17
• Underway to Manila, Philippine Islands – April 17 – 20
• Manila, Philippine Islands – April 20 – 22
• Underway to North Borneo for Operation Pony Express – April 22 – 28
• British North Borneo, Operation Pony Express – Periods at sea and anchored – April 28 – May 6
• Underway to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands – May 6 – 8
• Subic Bay, Philippine Islands – May 8 – May 13
• Underway to Buckner Bay, Okinawa – May 13 – 16
• Buckner Bay, Okinawa – Anchored and moored, with several days at sea evading Typhoon Betty – May 16 – June 9
• Underway to Yokosuka – June 9 – 11
• Yokosuka – June 11 – July 5
• Underway to San Diego – July 5 – 21
• San Diego – July 21

==

Registration is closed for the 2025 Reunion.

==