USS Jouett (DD-396)-- Part 2: Keeping the Sealanes Open and the U-128

The Jouett kept patrolling between Brazil and Africa to keep the sea lanes open.   She accompanied army engineers to Ascension Island on 30 March 1942 where an airfield was built and then escorted oil tankers from Trinidad south during the months that followed.  During this time she often attacked submarines with depth charges.

In December  1942, the ship returned to  Charleston, South Carolina, for repairs, but by 21 January 1943, the Jouett was back in Natal Harbor, Brazil.

The Jouett received President Getulio Vargas of Brazil on  27 January 1943, providing quarters for him and his party  during conferences on the USS Humboldt (AVP-21) with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Returning to her duties in February and on 14 May joined in the search for he U-128 off Bahia, Brazil.  Aircraft dropped depth charges on the U-boat and brought her to the surface where gunfire from the Jouett and the USS Moffett (DD-362) sent her to the bottom.

--GreGen