President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Lend-Lease Act, giving American Allies ships, aircraft and weapons for bases. One ship was the World War One US Navy destroyer, the USS Daniel Mars DD-202. She was listed as a Destroyer Escort and renamed the HMS Thornton. Due to British manpower shortages, American Naval volunteers, listed as trainers completed the manning of the little fighter. This is the story of the men who fought her and the women who supported the men during the weary days following the Battle of Britain.