Which is the hull NO. of the Fletcher class destroyer Fletcher?

The story behind the answer

DD-445 is correct because USS Fletcher (DD-445) was the lead ship of the Fletcher-class destroyers, and classes are named after their lead ship. DD-446 is USS Radford, and DD-992 is a much later Spruance-class destroyer also named USS Fletcher, which can cause confusion.

The Fletcher-class—175 ships strong—was the largest and one of the most effective destroyer classes of World War II, famed for its balance of speed, range, and 5-inch gun firepower in the Pacific. USS Fletcher was named for Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, a Medal of Honor recipient. Memory tip: think “’44–’45” as the pivotal WWII years; the lead ship’s hull number sits right at that hinge—DD-445.