USS Heywood L. Edwards

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USS Heywood L. Edwards (DD-663) was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the United States Navy, named for Lieutenant Commander Heywood L. Edwards, who commanded the destroyer Reuben James—the first U.S. Navy ship sunk in World War II. Built at the Boston Navy Yard, she was laid down July 4, 1943, launched October 6, 1943, and commissioned January 26, 1944.

After a shakedown off Bermuda, Heywood L. Edwards joined the Pacific Fleet. She supported the Marianas operations, providing fire support for the Saipan and Tinian landings, and even rescued 44 Marines stranded on a beach. She also took part in the Peleliu operation and then the Leyte and Lingayen Gulf campaigns as the Philippines was retaken. The ship fought in the Battle of Surigao Strait and supported the Lingayen Gulf landings in January 1945.

In early 1945 she helped with the Iwo Jima operation and later joined the campaign at Okinawa, performing gunfire support, radar picket duty, and defense against kamikazes. After continuing operations in the area, she returned to the United States and arrived in Seattle in November 1945, then was decommissioned on July 1, 1946, and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Heywood L. Edwards was brought out of reserve in 1959 and loaned to Japan, where she served as JDS Ariake (DD-183) in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force until 1974. She was scrapped in 1976.

The ship earned seven battle stars for World War II service and a Navy Unit Commendation for her role in the amphibious operations of 1944–45.