USS PILLSBURY DER 133
"Photo taken in 1957 after the installation of her final complement of RADAR and other electronics gear. The photo was sent to
me by Denis LaCrosse who served with me on the Pillsbury in the late-1950s. I went aboard Pillsbury just before Christmas of 1956. I left just before Christmas of 1959.
Elmer Fredd, ET2
Additional Information By Dennis LaCrosse:
The Photo is a copy of a commercial framed photo I bought while aboard Pillsbury. You know the routine, first ship, young sailor,
somebody comes aboard selling the things, I lept up and bought.
I was RD3 when I reported aboard Pill in 1957, RD2 when I left, RD1 shortly thereafter.
I learned much about DEs and the Pill while aboard and learned a lot more since. The US Navy has probably never gotten so much for their money as these little ships, built mostly from
spares, ideally suited for their job, and more seaworthy than ships twice, three times their size and displacement. That they would be adapted to other uses
after WWII was a given.
Brief History of USS PILLSBURY DE 133
The second Pillsbury (DE-133) was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Tex., 18 July 1942; launched 10 January
1943; sponsored by Mrs. Elsie G. Richardson; and commissioned 7 June 1943, Lt. Comdr. W. Parker, USNR, in command.
In 1947, Pillsbury was placed out of commission, in reserve, in the Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet.
In June 1954 the vessel was moved to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, fitted out with the latest equipment, redesignated a radar picket ship, DER-133, in August
1954 and recommissioned 15 March 1955. After refresher training and shakedown Pillsbury sailed for Newport, R.I. to assume her duties as a radar guardship acting
as an element of the protective radar screens around the United States. During 1958 Pillsbury made seven picket patrols on the Atlantic Barrier five trips to Argentia, Newfo undland and one trip to Summerside, Prince Edward Island. She decommissioned 20 June 1960, was struck from the Naval Vessel
Register 1 July 1965, and was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, Md. in 1966.
Pillsbury received five battle stars for World War II service
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