she was rammed by a merchant ship. Towed to Bermuda and later Boston, she completed repairs on 28 June 1944, and began sailing from Newport as target ship for torpedo planes and escorting carriers during flight training. Between January and June 1945, she had similar duty off Florida. Arriving Philadelphia on 14 June, she decommissioned there on 20 July 1945. Lea was struck from the Navy Register on 13 August 1945. The ship was sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Salvage Company, Baltimore on 30 November 1945. Awards Presidential Unit Citation Victory Medal with "DESTROYER" clasp American Defense Service Medal with "FLEET" clasp and "A" device American Campaign Medal with two battle stars European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one battle star World War II Victory Medal As of 2013, no other ships in the United States Navy have borne this name. References External links NavSource Photos Wickes-class destroyers World War I destroyers of the United States World War II destroyers of the United States Ships built by William Cramp & Sons 1918 ships