The Mason (DE529) weighed 1140 tons, and carried a crew of 150 enlisted men and 6 officers. The ship's top speed was 21 knots. Hundreds of ships like her fought in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. A diverse array of weapons included:

3 3" 50 mm guns, 1 quad 1.1" gun, 9 20 mm guns, 2 depth charge tracks, 8 single depth charge projectors, and 1 hedgehog type depth charge projector.

In 1942, a ship like this one cost about $5 million dollars (US) to build. More were built at the Boston Navy Yard than anywhere else, but none would carry a more unique crew.

"Our quarters were down below, just about at the waterline. Our bunks folded up against the side, and we'd sleep in tiers. So, if you came in from watch and someone was in the sack, you'd have to wake him up to pull down your bunk." -- James Graham

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