Naval History and Heritage Command

Shaw's initial wartime repair job, completed in late June 1942, essentially brought her back up to the same basic appearance and armament as the other members of the Mahan class, and that standard was maintained during most of the Second World War. In mid-1945, however, her final overhaul significantly changed her combat suit. These modifications were driven by the virtual elimination of the Japanese surface fleet, the emergence of the very dangerous "Kamikaze" suicide plane threat, and the growing top-heaviness and generally overweight condition of the Navy's older ships. To meet these changed conditions, all of Shaw's twelve torpedo tubes were removed and replaced with a very heavy battery of 40mm anti-aircraft machine guns. Also removed were some of her 20mm machine guns, one of her four remaining 5"/38 heavy guns and other fittings.