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USS Rizzi
USS Rizzi
USS Rizzi
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History
United States
Laid down3 November 1943
Launched7 December 1943
Commissioned26 June 1945
Decommissioned18 June 1946
In serviceNRT, 3rd Naval District, 28 March 1951
Out of service28 February 1958
Stricken1 August 1972
FateSold for scrapping 5 February 1974
General characteristics
Displacement1,350 long tons (1,372 t)
Length306 ft (93 m) (oa)
Beam36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
Draft13 ft 4 in (4.06 m) (max)
Propulsion2 boilers, 2 geared steam turbines, 12,000 shp, 2 screws
Speed24 knots
Range6,000 nm @ 12 knots
Complement14 officers, 201 enlisted
Armament

USS Rizzi (DE-537) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort in service with the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946 and from 1951 to 1958. She was sold for scrapping in 1974.

History

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Rizzi was named in honor of Rosalio Mario Rizzi who was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroism during rescue operations for Wasp (CV-7) survivors. The ship was laid down on 3 November 1943 by the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts; launched on 7 December 1943; and christened by Mrs. Theresa Rizzi, mother of Seaman First Class Rizzi and commissioned on 26 June 1945 with LCdr. E. K. Winn assuming command.

World War II

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Completing shakedown the day following the cessation of World War II hostilities, Rizzi departed Boston after availability and instead of heading for the Pacific Ocean, steamed to Norfolk, Virginia, for duty as training ship for student officers of the Destroyer School. Transferred in mid-November, she headed back to New England waters only to receive orders directing her to prepare for inactivation. A visit to New York City followed and with the new year, 1946, she sailed south to Green Cove Springs, Florida, and on 23 January reported to Commander, 16th (inactive) Fleet.

Rizzi in 1954.
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Decommissioned on 18 June 1946, Rizzi remained at Green Cove Springs in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until ordered activated and assigned to the 3rd Naval District as a reserve training ship in January 1951. Recommissioned on 28 March 1951, she proceeded to New York whence she conducted training cruises-weekend and 2-week cruises along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, and summer cruises to Europe in 1953 and 1955 and to South America in 1954 for reservists in the New York City area.

Decommissioning and fate

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In November 1957, Rizzi again prepared for inactivation. Decommissioned 28 February 1958, she remained in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, berthed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until the spring of 1972. At that time, she was surveyed and found to be unfit for further service. Consequently, Rizzi was stricken from the Navy list 1 August 1972. She was sold for scrapping 5 February 1974.

References

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USS Rizzi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
USS Rizzi (DE-537) was a John C. Butler-class that served in the United States Navy primarily as a training vessel during the post-World War II era and with the Naval Reserve. Commissioned in June 1945, shortly after the war's end, she conducted shakedown operations and training missions before her initial decommissioning in 1946, and later supported reserve training with cruises to and until her final decommissioning in 1958. The ship was named in honor of Seaman First Class Rosalio Mario Rizzi (born February 4, 1924, in Nesquehoning, ), who served aboard the USS Duncan (DD-485) and was posthumously awarded the for heroism as of a small boat in rescuing survivors from the sinking USS Wasp (CV-7) on September 15, 1942, before his own death in action on October 12, 1942, during the . Laid down on November 3, 1943, by the in , , Rizzi was launched on December 7, 1943, sponsored by the namesake's mother, Mrs. Rizzi, and commissioned on June 26, 1945, under the command of Lieutenant Commander E. K. Winn, USNR. After completing her shakedown the day after the end of hostilities, Rizzi served as a school ship for 57 at , until decommissioning on June 18, 1946, and joining the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. Recommissioned on March 28, 1951, she was assigned to training naval reservists with Division 8-11 at New York, conducting annual cruises including transatlantic voyages to in 1953 and 1955, and to South American ports in 1954, before returning to reserve duties until her second decommissioning on February 28, 1958. Rizzi was stricken from the on August 1, 1972, and sold for scrap on February 5, 1974.

Background

Namesake

Seaman First Class Rosalio Mario Rizzi was born on 4 February 1924 in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Navy on 11 February 1941 and completed recruit training at , in April of that year. Following his training, Rizzi served aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) and later the destroyer USS Duncan (DD-485). On 15 September 1942, Rizzi distinguished himself as of a small during rescue operations following the torpedoing of the USS Wasp (CV-7) by the Japanese I-19 in the South Pacific. Maneuvering through a debris-filled sea covered in flaming oil and under constant threat from exploding ammunition and potential gasoline fires, he tirelessly rescued survivors trapped in the forward gun galleys and on the . His actions exemplified extraordinary heroism in the face of imminent danger, saving multiple lives despite the hazardous conditions. For his conduct during the rescue, Rizzi was posthumously awarded the , the highest non-combat decoration for heroism in the U.S. . Tragically, Rizzi lost his life on 12 October 1942 when USS Duncan was sunk during the . In honor of his sacrifice and valor, the destroyer escort USS Rizzi (DE-537) was named for him. The ship was launched on 7 December 1943 at the and christened by his mother, Mrs. Theresa Rizzi.

Class and type

The USS Rizzi (DE-537) was classified as a , a type of developed by the during specifically for roles, including the protection of merchant convoys against threats in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. These vessels represented an evolution from earlier designs, emphasizing , reliability, and focused capabilities for escort duties rather than the multi-role versatility of full destroyers. Standard specifications for the John C. Butler class, which Rizzi shared, included a displacement of 1,350 long tons at standard load and 1,745 long tons at full load, providing a balance of maneuverability and endurance suitable for extended patrol operations. The ship's dimensions were 306 feet (93 m) in overall length, with a beam of 37 feet (11.3 m) and a draft of 13 feet 4 inches (4.1 m) at deep load, allowing for operations in varied sea states while maintaining stability for and deployments. Propulsion was provided by two Babcock & Wilcox boilers feeding two Westinghouse geared steam turbines delivering 12,000 shaft horsepower to two propeller shafts, enabling a maximum speed of 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph). This configuration offered a tactical range of approximately 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at an economical speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), sufficient for transoceanic escorts without frequent refueling. The typical complement consisted of 15 officers and 183 enlisted personnel, totaling around 198 crew members, though wartime variations could increase this figure to support expanded operations.
SpecificationDetails
Displacement1,350 long tons (standard); 1,745 long tons (full load)
Length306 ft (93 m) overall
Beam37 ft (11.3 m)
Draft13 ft 4 in (4.1 m) deep
Propulsion2 × boilers; 2 × geared steam turbines; 12,000 shp; 2 shafts
Speed24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement15 officers, 183 enlisted

Construction

Building and launch

The keel of USS Rizzi (DE-537) was laid down on 3 November 1943 at the in , , as part of the U.S. Navy's accelerated wartime production of destroyer escorts to bolster capabilities against German U-boats in the Atlantic. The , a key facility in this expansion, constructed numerous vessels of this type, emphasizing rapid assembly techniques to meet urgent operational demands. Launched just over a month later on 7 December 1943, the ship achieved an exceptionally swift construction timeline from to launch, reflecting the yard's wartime efficiencies in and workforce mobilization. The launch ceremony was sponsored by Mrs. Theresa Rizzi, mother of the . Following launch, Rizzi entered an extended pre-commissioning fitting-out phase that lasted until June 1945, during which the installed standard John C. Butler-class equipment, including geared-turbine propulsion, 5-inch/38-caliber guns, and antisubmarine weaponry such as racks and projectors. This prolonged outfitting period was typical for late-war destroyer escorts, as resources were prioritized for ongoing combat operations and repairs elsewhere.

Commissioning

The USS Rizzi (DE-537) was officially commissioned on 26 June 1945 at the in , marking her entry into active service with the . Command was assumed by Lt. Comdr. E. K. Winn, USNR, who led the initial crew in completing the vessel's outfitting. This late-war commissioning occurred as the Pacific Theater drew to a close, with the ship entering service just weeks before the formal announcement of Japan's surrender on V-J Day, 2 September 1945, thereby redirecting her role from anticipated combat operations to postwar training duties. Following commissioning, the crew assembled at the to finalize outfitting, including the installation and testing of armament, radar systems, and propulsion equipment in line with standards, adapted for the abbreviated wartime timeline. Shakedown trials were conducted in the area throughout and early August 1945, evaluating the ship's seaworthiness, maneuverability, and combat systems under operational conditions. These trials concluded on 15 August 1945, the day after the cessation of hostilities, confirming the vessel's readiness without the need for overseas deployment. With outfitting and trials complete, Rizzi departed in late August 1945 for initial post-commissioning activities, bypassing any combat assignments due to the war's end and instead preparing for stateside training missions. This transition reflected the broader shift in naval priorities from offensive operations to and reserve force development in the immediate postwar period.

Service history

1945–1946

Following her commissioning on 26 June 1945, USS Rizzi (DE-537) conducted shakedown training off the U.S. East Coast, completing operations on 15 August 1945 at Boston, Massachusetts—the day after the cessation of hostilities on V-J Day. This post-war shakedown confirmed the ship's operational readiness without any involvement in combat actions, as the Pacific conflict had concluded prior to her full deployment. In late August 1945, after a brief post-shakedown availability, Rizzi departed and steamed to , where she was assigned as a for the Destroyer School. There, she supported instruction for student officers, focusing on essential naval operations suited to her role as a . Her standard armament, including 3-inch guns, 40 mm anti-aircraft mounts, and racks, was utilized in these exercises to simulate defensive and escort duties typical of her class. By mid-November 1945, Rizzi transferred to waters for additional training evolutions before receiving orders to prepare for inactivation. She made a port visit to New York late that year, conducting limited operations out of the New York Navy Yard without overseas deployments. These activities emphasized domestic readiness and transition to peacetime status, reflecting the 's rapid demobilization efforts. In January 1946, Rizzi sailed to Green Cove Springs, Florida, arriving to commence full inactivation procedures. She reported to the Commander, 16th (Inactive) Fleet on 23 January 1946 and was placed out of commission in reserve on 18 June 1946, marking the end of her initial service period amid the postwar reduction in naval forces.

1951–1958

Following her inactivation at the end of World War II, USS Rizzi was reactivated amid the Korean War to bolster U.S. naval reserve forces, recommissioning on 28 March 1951 and joining the 3d Naval District as a dedicated training vessel based out of New York. This recommissioning aligned with broader Navy efforts to expand active and reserve capabilities in response to communist aggression in Korea, continuing the ship's pre-existing emphasis on reservist instruction established in 1945–1946. From her New York home port, Rizzi conducted training operations along the U.S. East Coast and in the during 1951 and 1952, offering weekend and two-week cruises for reservists. In 1953, Rizzi embarked on her first extended summer cruise to . In 1954, Rizzi undertook a summer cruise to South American ports. An additional transatlantic voyage to occurred in 1955. Through 1956 and 1957, Rizzi maintained annual operations along the East Coast. In November 1957, she prepared for inactivation.

Decommissioning and disposal

Final decommissioning

The USS Rizzi (DE-537) was decommissioned for the second and final time on 28 February 1958 at the in , concluding seven years of active service as a Naval Reserve training vessel following her 1951 reactivation. This event capped a period of routine training cruises along the East Coast, in the , , and , with inactivation preparations beginning in November 1957. The decommissioning process involved standard administrative and logistical steps, including a formal ceremony where the ship's commissioning pennant was hauled down and the was mustered for final accounting. This inactivation aligned with the U.S. Navy's post-Korean War fleet reductions, as the service decommissioned numerous World War II-era vessels to streamline operations and adapt to evolving strategic priorities amid a shrinking active force from 1,122 ships on June 30, 1953, to 890 on June 30, 1958. No significant incidents or complications arose during the proceedings, reflecting the ship's well-maintained condition after years of reserve training duties. Following decommissioning, Rizzi was transferred to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and berthed at , entering inactive status with a small caretaker crew responsible for basic preservation to prevent deterioration.

Fate

Following her decommissioning on 28 February 1958, USS Rizzi (DE-537) was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and berthed at , , where she remained inactive until the spring of 1972. During this period, the ship underwent periodic inspections as part of standard maintenance protocols but was never reactivated for service. In the spring of 1972, Rizzi was surveyed and deemed unfit for further naval service. She was subsequently stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 August 1972, amid post-Vietnam War defense budget constraints. On 5 February 1974, Rizzi was sold for scrapping and broken up thereafter, marking the end of her naval career. No efforts were made to preserve the hull as a memorial or .
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