Dashiell (DD-659) was launched 6 February 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs.
Dashiell arrived at Pearl Harbor 24 July 1943 to join the fast carrier task forces for the raids on Marcus Island of 31 August to 1 September; Tarawa, 18-20 September, and Wake Island, 5-6 October.
Dashiell patrolled and screened transports during the landings there on 18 and 19 September and the reinforcement landings of 1 October.
The Japanese submarine RO-112 is sunk by the submarine USS Batfish (SS-310) in the Philippines.
The destroyer USS Pritchett (DD-561) is damaged by horizontal bomber; the destroyer escort USS Foreman (DE-633) by dive bomber; and the attack transports USS Chilton (APA-38), USS Henrico (APA-45), USS Goodhue (APA-107) and USS Telfair (APA-210) and LST 599 are damaged by suicide plane, all in the Okinawa area.
The battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) is damaged by an explosion, the destroyer USS Ammen (DD-527) by a horizontal bomber and the submarine chaser SC-737 by grounding, all in the Okinawa area.
Kamikazes damage battleship USS New York (BB-34) and destroyers USS Sigsbee (DD-502), USSDashiell (DD-659), and USS Hunt (DD-674).
- Submarine USS Gabilan (SS-252) attacks a Surabaya-to-Makassar convoy, sinking a cargo vessel and an auxiliary submarine chaser.
- Submarine USS Tirante (SS-420) attacks Japanese convoy MOSI-02 in the approaches to the Yellow Sea, sinking a transport, an escort vessel, and a coast defense vessel west of Quelpart Island.
The Dashiell, also in the lagoon and specifically stating her position as 1,500 yards off the beach, logged it at 0913.
Continuation of naval gunfire through the heavy smoke at this uncertain period was considered unsafe to assault troops and reliance had to be placed on VF aircraft being able to continue strafing and holding the enemy neutralized until the troops landed.
The Dashiell was in the lagoon but did not fire between 0855 and 0912, and then fired only three minutes of counter-battery fire on the northwestern end of Betio upon receipt of orders from CTF 53.
