About This Unit
HMAS Bataan (D9/I91/D191) was a Tribal-class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The Tribal Class were a well-regarded British design including a number of famous names in the class, Royal Navy service such as HMS Cossack. HMAS Bataan was laid down in 1942 and commissioned in 1945. Originally to be named Chingilli or Kurnai (Australian aboriginal Tribes), she was renamed prior to launch in honour of the US last stand defence at Bataan in the Philippines in 1942.
Ater commissioning Bataan cruised to Japan via the Philippines, but arrived too late to see combat. She was in Tokyo Bay for the official Japanese surrender on 2 September 1945. Bataan remained in Japanese waters until 18 November, representing the RAN and taking part in the repatriation of prisoners-of-war. Between late 1946 and late 1949, the destroyer spent 17 months over four tours of duty in Japanese waters with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. The balance to mid 1950 was spent operating in Australian waters.
In late June 1950, Bataan was en route to Japan for a fifth tour when the Korean War started. From early July 1950 until 29 May 1951, the Bataan operated off Korea as one of the first Australian combat units to deploy. Bataan engaged in patrolling, escorting aircraft carriers, and providing Naval Gunfire Support against shore targets. A second Korean tour occurred between 4 February and 31 August 1952, with Bataan performing most of the same duties as before. Bataan was awarded the battle honour "Korea 1950–52" for her service.
After her return to Australia, HMAS Bataan only left Australian waters once more for a visit to Singapore in 1953. She was paid off and de-commissioned in 1954 and eventually scrapped in 1958.
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