USS James E. Craig (DE-201) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. She was sunk as a target in 1969. History The destroyer escort was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander James Edwin Craig (1901–1941), who was killed in action aboard during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. James E. Craig was launched on 22 July 1943, by Charleston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. J. E. Craig, widow of Lieutenant Commander Craig; and commissioned on 1 November 1943. The new destroyer escort departed the Charleston Navy Yard on 23 November for shakedown off Bermuda and returned to the yard on 25 December for alterations. She sailed on 4 January 1944 for Panama via the Windward Passage. In the Caribbean she joined her sister ships and on 7 January to escort two troop transports. She transited the Panama Canal on 8 January. In company with other destroyer escorts, James E. Craig steamed from Balboa, Panama, on 14 January escorting SS Azalea City to Nouméa, New Caledonia. Stopping at Bora Bora on 27 January, James E. Craig and Azalea City departed the 28th and two days later encountered a typhoon which pounded the ships with waves. They passed through a second typhoon on 4 February with winds of . On 5 February they were ordered to Espiritu Santo, and arrived the following day. New Guinea campaign James E. Craig departed Espiritu Santo on 13 February with three other escorts and seven merchant ships bound for Guadalcanal. Upon arrival the 16th, she began anti-submarine patrol off Lunga Point. She departed for Espiritu Santo on 23 February, escorting two merchant ships and continued her escort duty between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo for several weeks. On 15 March, she escorted the oiler from Espiritu Santo to a fueling rendezvous with Task Force 36, which was engaged in operations against Kavieng, New Ireland, and Emirau Island, "the last link in the ring around Rabaul." Refueling completed the 25th, James E. Craig and Cacapon joined other escorts and tankers and returned to Espirito Santo. On 31 March, James E. Craig departed Espiritu Santo in company with Escort Division 37, including Lovelace, , and . Stopping at Tulagi in the Solomons, 2 to 4 April, they sailed the 5th for New Guinea, where James E. Craig was to see action for five months. On 26 April, James E.