USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer which served in the United States Navy during World War II.

As the night approach was made, Hadley led a group of LST's toward the beach, shooting down an attacking Japanese plane en route.

The destroyer escorted her charges safely to the beach, watched them unload their troops and equipment the morning of 1 April, and then took up antisubmarine patrol station outside the transport area.

As the bitter fighting ashore continued, Hadley helped protect against submarines and aircraft as the Japanese made a final effort to stop the invasion.

Joining destroyer Evans and four smaller craft, she took station 15 west of Okinawa and early the next morning began vectoring aircraft to meet the oncoming Japanese.

Finally, as the attack ended, all but 50 of the crew were ordered over the side in life rafts, the remaining men fighting fires and working to control the damage.

Though her engineering spaces were flooded and she was badly holed, Hugh W. Hadley was kept afloat by her damage control parties and eventually arrived at Ie Shima.

In addition to one battle star for her World War II Service, Hadley received the Presidential Unit Citation for her performance in the action off Okinawa 11 May 1945.

With all engineering spaces flooded and with a fire raging amidships, the gallant officers and men of the HUGH W. HADLEY fought desperately against almost insurmountable odds and, by their indomitable determination, fortitude and skill, brought the damage under control, enabling their ship to be towed to port and saved.