USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649) was a destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the only ship named for Vice Admiral Albert W. Grant (1856–1930), an admiral during World War I. Construction and commissioning Albert W. Grant was laid down on 30 December 1942 at North Charleston, South Carolina, by the Charleston Navy Yard; launched on 29 May 1943, sponsored by Miss Nell Preston Grant, granddaughter of Admiral Grant; and commissioned on 24 November 1943. Service history On the day of her commissioning, Albert W. Grant departed Charleston Navy Yard for a shakedown cruise to Bermuda. She returned to Charleston Navy Yard on 29 January 1944 for minor modifications. 1944 Albert W. Grant headed for Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 February, and five days later, she got underway to escort to Hawaii. They transited the Panama Canal, joined more ships at San Diego, and finally arrived at Pearl Harbor on 4 March. On 4 April, the destroyer sailed for Majuro where she joined TF 58 for the invasion at Hollandia. During that New Guinea operation, from 21 to 29 April, Grant engaged in picket duty, inshore patrol duty, and covered landing force operations. On 29 April, she headed for the Caroline Islands with TG 58.3 and screened the carriers during strikes on Truk. The task group left for Majuro on 2 May and continued on to Pearl Harbor, arriving there on 11 May. Marianas, Palaus and Philippines campaigns After a brief respite, Albert W. Grant got underway on 29 May for Eniwetok, which served as the staging area for the invasion of the Marianas. On 11 June, she sailed to Saipan and commenced her gunfire support activities on 15 June. The destroyer was also involved in action against Tinian. She departed the Saipan area on 29 July and put into Eniwetok on 2 August. Following a brief upkeep period, the destroyer got underway for Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands, on 22 August. The ship sortied with TG 32.5 on 6 September for the assault on the Palaus and, during a two-week period in mid-September, conducted pre-invasion bombardment and supported the landings on Peleliu and Angaur. On 29 September, she left for Manus Island. The destroyer remained there through 12 October, then sailed for the Philippines as a member of TG 77.2. On 17 October, Grant provided protection for while that fast transport landed troops on Suluan Island,