USS Braine
 DD 630 (Fletcher class)

Click for larger Image
Courtesy of Richard B. Kirkland 

Builder:         Bath Iron Works, Bath ME
Laid Down:       October 12, 1942
Launched:        March 7, 1943
Commissioned:  	 May 11, 1943
Decommissioned:  July 26, 1946
re-Commissioned: April 6, 1951
Decommissioned:  August 17, 1971
Fate:            To Argentina 8/17/71, renamed 
                 Admirante Domecq Garcia.
                 Sunk as target 10/07/83

We are seeking information on the USS Braine and her crews. Files and photos may be E-mailed to us and we will incorporate them into these pages.

The E-mail:

6/28/06:

I served on the USS Braine in 1959-61. I'm interested in any information you could supply me with concerning this ship.

Thanks,

Cullen Hayes

Subject: USS Braine (DD 630)
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004
From: Jim Schmidt

We have recently met Ray Higgins, Jr, a survivor of the May 1945 attack on the Braine.

He is living in an assisted living facility in Eugene Oregon. His memories of the Braine seem to be vivid. I'm wondering how much first hand knowlege you have, and if you have any questions I should ask him. I do know that he was in a gun turrett, and was blown out of it by a Japanese plane. He was then thrown off the ship by a crewman, as they thought the ship was going to sink, and that his best chance of survival was in the water.

More details I have not heard, but my wifer is a trained journalist, and could interview him if you think it is worthwile.

We are losing our WWII vets quickly now. It is worth any effort to preserve their stories.

Jim Schmidt


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