Bronze plaque measuring 15" x 10" x 1/2" thick (with the mount, dimensions are 17-1/4" x 11" x 2-1/2") and weighing approx. 18 pounds, with mounting screws in each corner. Stippled background with raised relief text. "U.S.S. FITCH / DESTROYER / NAMED FOR / COMMANDER LEROY FITCH / USN / BUILT AT THE NAVY YARD BOSTON MASS / AUTHORIZED JUNE 12, 1940 / KEEL LAID JANUARY 6, 1941 / LAUNCHED JUNE 14, 1941 / FIRST COMMISSIONED FEBRUARY 3, 1942". Officially a Gleaves-Class Destroyer, 348', beam 36', draft 11' 10", propulsion 50,000shp, speed 37.4 knots, range 7500 miles, crew 16 officers and 260 men, five 5" guns, six 12.7mm machine guns, six 20mm cannon, ten 21" torpedo tubes, two depth charge tracks. The Fitch saw service throughout the Atlantic during WWII, was present at Utah Beach, her mission was to draw out and silence German batteries prior to the landings. Fitch rescued the survivors of the USS Cory keeping up fire at the German shore batteries. In 1945, Fitch was converted to a high speed mine sweeper, finally being de-commissioned in 1955. Original commissioning plaques from US vessels are rarely offered as most were retained by the Navy. A fine cased Deluxe Presentation Colt 1851 Navy Revolver to Lt Com Leroy Fitch is also being offered in this auction. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Loree Collins, USN, Summit, NJ; the spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very fine as cleaned. Crisp detail as can be seen in photos. 53091-269 JS (4,000-6,000)