| Navy | The US Navy |
| Type | Destroyer Escort |
| Class | Cannon |
| Pennant | DE 195 |
| Built by | Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.) |
| Ordered | 18 Jan 1942 |
| Laid down | 7 Oct 1943 |
| Launched | 30 Dec 1943 |
| Commissioned | 1 Feb 1944 |
| End service | 17 Jun 1947 |
| History | Decommissioned 17 June 1947. |
Commands listed for USS Thornhill (DE 195)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt. John B. Shumway, USNR | 1 Feb 1944 | 3 Jan 1945 |
| 2 | Edwin Thornwell Mckeithen, Jr., USNR | 3 Jan 1945 | 16 Nov 1945 |
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Notable events involving Thornhill include:
3 Jun 1944
Convoy GUS 42.
This convoy departed Port Said on 3 June 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the following transports / tankers; Bantria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929), Empire Brook (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), Esso Charleston (American, 7949 GRT, built 1938), Fort Rouille (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort St. Joseph (British, 7151 GRT, built 1943), Francis M. Smith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Glacier Park (Canadian, 7137 GRT, built 1943), Jose Marti (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), K.I. Luckenbach (American, 7822 GRT, built 1918), L.H. McNelly (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Louis A. Sengteller (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nathan Clifford (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), R.M. Williamson (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Susan V. Luckenbach (American, 7435 GRT, built 1918), Thorshavn (Norwegian (tanker), 6869 GRT, built 1930), Vasco (British, 2878 GRT, built 1939) and Waigstill Avery (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvette HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR).
On 4 June 1944, the transports Empire Kinsman (British, 6744 GRT, built 1942), Pronto (Norwegian, 2201 GRT, built 1920), Samfairy (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944), Samsylvan (British, 7219 grt, built 1943) and William H. Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Alexandria. With these ships were also the corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR) and HMS Jonquil (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Tretheway, RNR).
On 8 June 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Athelvictor (British (tanker), 8320 GRT, built 1941), Ben H. Miller (American, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), Daniel H. Lownsdale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Daniel Huger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Elbridge Gerry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Usk (British, 3229 GRT, built 1918), F. Marion Crawford (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), George W. Campbell (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Hannis Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Harlesden (British, 7273 GRT, built 1943), Hart Crane (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), Henry George (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Turner (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), John Lawson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Johns Hopkins (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Hooker (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), King James (British, 5122 GRT, built 1925), Levi Woodbury (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Mary Lyon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Pride (Britsh, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Roger Sherman (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Johnston (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Sun Yat-Sen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Cresap (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930).
On 9 June 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy; Bantria, Dallington Court, Empire Brook, Esso Charleston, Pronto, Samsylvan and Vasco.
On 9 June 1944, the transports Andrew Pickens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Hermes (Dutch, 2739 GRT, built 1920) joined the convoy coming from Malta. Also joining for passage to Gibraltar was the submarine HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN).
On 10 June 1944, the transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Alexander J. Dallas (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), Empire Damsel (British (tanker), 784 GRT, built 1942), G.C. Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 9718 GRT, built 1930), J.C. Osgood (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James W. Johnson (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943), Motia (Italian, 2336 GRT, built 1918), Nueva Granada (Norwegian (tanker), 9968 GRT, built 1937), Pierre Gibault (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Robert H. Harrison (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942). Also the current escort, which arrived at Bizerta on 10 June 1944, was relieved by a new escort which was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), destroyer USS MacLeish (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Winkel, USNR, with COMTASKFOR 63, T/Capt. H.T. Read, USN on board), destroyer escorts USS Eisner (Lt.Cdr. D. McVickar, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 52, T/Cdr. R.P. Walker, USN on board), USS Wingfield (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Purdy, USNR), USS Thornhill (Lt. J.B. Shumway, USNR), USS Rinehart Lt. P.W. Crouch, Jr., USN), USS Roche (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Parker, USNR), USS Jordan (Lt.Cdr. D. Bontecou, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 55, T/Cdr. C.R. Simmers, USN on board), USS Liddle (T/Cdr. R.M. Hinckley, Jr., USN), USS Kephart (Cdr. I.H. Cammarn, USNR), USS Newman (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Meyer, USNR), USS Lloyd (Lt.Cdr. P.N. Gammelgard, USNR) and the minesweeper USS Pioneer (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Rogers, Jr., USNR).
On 11 June 1944, the Empire Usk and Hermes arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy.
On 11 June 1944, the Harlesden, Motia, Samsteel and Wellington Court arrived at Bone after having parted company with the convoy.
On 11 June 1944, the transports Bialystok (Polish, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943) and Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928) joined the convoy coming from Bone.
On 12 June 1944, the Empire Harbour, Ocean Pride, Thorshaven and HMS Caledon arrived at Algiers after having parted company with the convoy.
On 12 June 1944, the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), David Bushnell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Edward H. Crockett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Elijah White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941), Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941), Empire Nerissa (British, 7096 GRT, built 1942), Howell E. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph N. Teal (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Loch Dee (British, 5252 GRT, built 1937) Malplaquet (British, 499 GRT, built 1940), Noah Webster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Prometheus (British, 6095 GRT, built 1925), Samuel Adams (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930), Walter Reed (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Blount (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On 13 June 1944, the following transports parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Oran Bay; Alexander J. Dallas, Empire Damsel, Hart Crane, Howell E. Jackson, John Lawson, Malplaquet, Sinnington Court and William Blount. USS Pioneer proceed to Mers-el-Kebir.
On 13 June 1944, the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir; David Lubin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), John Fairfield (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John P. Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Lambert Cadwalader (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), Samfield (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samgallion (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samkansa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Walt Whitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Walter Forward (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943).
The naval tanker (escort oiler), USS Cowanesque (Cdr. L.S. McKenzie, USNR) also joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.
On 14 June 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Gibraltar; Bialystok Empire Foam, Fort Rouille, Fort St. Joseph and King James. HMS Taurus also parted company with the convoy and entered Gibraltar.
On 14 June 1944, the tankers British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923) and British Energy (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. The following day the British Commodore developed engine trouble and was ordered to proceed to Casablanca but she returned to Gibraltar instead where she arrived on 16 June 1944.
On 15 June the transports; Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Charles Carroll (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Empire Alliance (British (tanker), 9909 GRT, built 1943), Fort Souris (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), John Barton Payne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Samderry (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Casablanca which they had departed on the 14th. They were escorted to the rendezvous by the minesweeping sloops La Gracieuse, Commandant Delage and the patrol vessel L'Indiscret.
On the above ships joining the convoy the transport Loch Dee parted company to proceed to Casablanca with the French escort vessels. They arrived at Casablanca later on the 15th.
Around 1730Z/16, the Pierre Gibault developed engine trouble and parted company with the convoy. USS Eisner was detached to escort her. They rejoined the convoy around 1200Z/17.
On 18 June 1944, USS Macleish, USS Liddle, USS Jordan, USS Kephart, USS Newman, USS Lloyd and USS Cofer fuelled from USS Cowanesque.
On 19 June 1944, the transport Joseph Hewes (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) joined coming from Horta, Azores. She was escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Cape Comorin (/Lt. F.K. Turner, RNVR) which did not join the convoy.
On 23 June, USS Cowanesque refuelled USS Macleish, USS Jordan, USS Kephart, USS Lloyd, USS Cofer and USS Newman.
Around 0630Q/26, USS Cowanesque was detached to Bermuda. To escort her to Bermuda the escort destroyers USS Hodges (Lt.Cdr. V.B. Staadecker, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 74, T/Cdr. C.F. Hooper, USN on board) and USS William Seiverling (Cdr. C.F. Adams, Jr., USNR) had just made rendezvous with the convoy. They arrived at Bermuda the following morning.
Around 1710Q/27, the Glacier Park was straggling and unable to regain her station was ordered to proceed to St. John, New Brunswick.
Around 1940Q/27, the ' New York ' section of the convoy of 41 ships was detached, they were escorted by USS Macleish, USS Eisner, USS Wingfield, USS Thornhill, USS Rinehart and USS Roche.
The ' Chesapeake Bay ' section of the convoy was made up of the following ships; Ben H. Miller, Cornelius Harnett, Daniel H. Lownsdale, Daniel Huger, David Bushnell, David Lubin, Elbridge Gerry, Empire Alliance, Empire Nerissa, Empire Stalwart, Fort Souris, Francis M. Smith, G.S. Walden, Hannis Taylor, Henry George, James McCosh, James Turner, James W. Johnson, John P. Holland, Joseph Hewes, Joseph Hooker, Joseph N. Teal, Levi Woodbury, Robert H. Harrison, Samuel Adams, Samuel Johnston, Thomas Cresap, Thomas Nelson Page, Walt Whitman, Walter Reed and William H. Moody. They were escorted by USS Jordan, USS Newman, USS Liddle, USS Kephart, USS Cofer and USS Lloyd.
The ' Chesapeake Bay ' section arrived at its destination on 28 June 1944. The ' New York ' section arrived at its destination on 29 June 1944.
18 Jan 1945
Convoy CU 55.
This convoy departed New York on 18 January 1945.
It was made up of the following ships (New York Section); Aiken Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Briar Creek (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), California Express (Norwegian, 3649 GRT, built 1934), Camp Defiance (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Cape Mohican (American, 5094 GRT, built 1942), Chadd's Ford (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Churubusco (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Darro (British, 9733 GRT, built 1943), De Soto (American, 6165 GRT, built 1944), Delaires (American, 6509 GRT, built 1942), Drewrys Bluff (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Edge Hill (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Empire Paladin (British (tanker), 8141 GRT, built 1944), Empire Salisbury (British (tanker), 8199 GRT, built 1944), Esso Hartford (American (tanker), 9887 GRT, built 1942), Eufaula Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Exanthia (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941), Fisher's Hill (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Golden Eagle (American, 6180 GRT, built 1943), Golden Fleece (American), 8258 GRT, built 1944), Marine Devil (American, 11757 GRT, built 1944), Marine Dragon (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944), Marine Raven (American, 11757 GRT, built 1943), Martin Bakke (Norwegian, 5484 GRT, built 1936), Midnight (American, 8258 GRT, built 1940), Mormacmoon (American, 7939 GRT, built 1940), Paulus Hook (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Pine Bluff (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Queenston Heights (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943), Rich Mountain (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), San Pasqual (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Santa Maria (American, 6507 GRT, built 1944), Sea Quail (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), Seatrain Lakehurst (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Seatrain Texas (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Stanvac Calcutta (American (tanker), 9933 GRT, built 1944), Talisman (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944) and White Squall (American, 8258 GRT, built 1943).
The battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) was also taking passage to the U.K. in this convoy having completed her refit in the U.S.A.
On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS Mayo ( T/Cdr. A.D. Kaplan, USN, with COMTASKGROUP 61.3, T/Capt. H.H. Connelley, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Eisner (Lt. D.H. Lay, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 55, Cdr. W.A. Sessions, USNR on board), USS Garfield Thomas (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Werner, USN), USS Wingfield (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Jeorg, Jr., USNR), USS Rinehart (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Crouch, Jr., USN) and USS Roche (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Laidley, USNR).
Around 0915Q/19, the Boston Section of four ships joined. [We have been unable to find out which ships sailed from Boston, the four ships in question are therefore included in the New York Section.]
The Boston Section was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Cates (Lt. T.N. Broaddus, USNR), USS Gandy (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Brooke, Jr., USNR), USS Earl K. Olsen (Lt.Cdr. W.F. DeLong, USNR) and USS Thornhill (Lt. E.T. Mckeithen, Jr., USNR).
At 0818Q/20, the Marine Devil parted company with the convoy with engine trouble. She returned to the U.S.A. escorted by USS Rhinehart. They arrived off New York on 23 January. USS Rhinehart then proceeded to the U.K. independently arriving at Liverpool on 31 January 1945.
Around 1015N/25, the convoy was divided into two sections in approximate position 47°00'N, 26°00'W. This was earlier then scheduled due to reported enemy submarine activity in U.K. waters.
English Channel Section
This section was made up of the following ships; Aiken Victory, Argentina, Cape Mohican, De Soto, Edge Hill, Empire Salisbury, Eufaula Victory, Exanthia, Exceller, Golden Fleece, Marine Dragon, Marine Raven, Midnight, Mormacmoon, Pine Bluff, Rich Mountain, Santa Maria, Sea Quail and Seatrain Texas.
HMS Nelson was also with this section.
The English Channel section was escorted by USS Eisner, USS Garfield Thomas, USS Roche and USS Earl K. Olsen.
Around 1305A/27, 'Force 26' joined, which was made up of the destroyers ORP Blyscawica (Cdr. L. Lichodziejewski), HrMs Van Galen (Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (A/Lt.Cdr. G.J. Kirkby, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, DSC, RN).
Around 0945A/28, ' Force 26 ' parted company after ships from the 26th Escort Group had joined, these were the frigates HMCS Beacon Hill (T/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSO, RCNVR), HMCS Montreal (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L. Campbell, RCNVR) and HMCS New Glasgow (T/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Hanbury, RCNVR). The frigate HMS Spragge (Lt. W.W. Muir, RN) and HMS Waldegrave (Lt. T. Hay, RN) also joined.
The straggling Fisher's Hill and her escort, USS Thornhill was to overtake the English Channel Section.
Around 1315A/28, HMS Nelson was detached to proceed to Portsmouth escorted by HMS Spragge.
Around 1340A/28, the Southend Section was detached. These were the , , and . They were escorted by USS Garfield Thomas and USS Earl K. Olsen.
Around 1600A/28, the convoy arrived in the Solent.
Irish Sea Section
The other section proceeded towards the Irish Sea and was made up of the remaining ships and the remaining escorts.
Around 0915A/28, the Clyde Section was detached escorted by USS Cates.
Around 1300A/28, the frigates HMS Duckworth (Cdr. R.G. Mills, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) joined.
Around 1445A/28, the Bristol Channel Section was detached escorted by USS Wingfield and USS Gandy.
Around 1620A/28, HMS Duckworth and USS Rowley parted company.
Around 2000A/28, the remaining ships arrived off the Bar Light Vessel near Liverpool.
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