Thread: Destroyers - Fletcher Class

Sixteen Fletcher-class destroyers received the Presidential Unit Citation for action in World War Two.

"The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy—in the name of the President of the United States—to any ship, aircraft or naval unit, or any Marine Corps aircraft, detachment or higher unit, for outstanding performance in action against an armed enemy of the United States on or after 7 December 1941. It was authorized by Executive Order 9050, 6 February 1942."

WITH TAFFY 3 AT THE BATTLE OFF SAMAR

USS Heermann (DD 532)
USS Hoel (DD 533)
USS Johnston (DD 557)



WITH DESTROYER SQUADRON 23 IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

USS Charles Ausburne (DD 570)
USS Claxton (DD 571)
USS Converse (DD 509)
USS Dyson (DD 572)
USS Spence (DD 512)
USS Stanly (DD 478)



INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

USS Bennion (DD 662)
USS Cowell (DD 547)
USS Evans (DD 552)
USS Nicholas (DD 449)
USS O’Bannon (DD 450)
USS Radford (DD 446)
USS Wadsworth (DD 516)

[QUOTE=blidgepump;862132]Nineteen Fletcher-class destroyers received twenty Navy Unit Commendations for service in World War Two.

In alphabetical order

USS Albert W. Grant (DD 649)

"I have become aquatinted with the family of Virgil David, who served on the USS Grant during WW2, now deceased. His wife Margaret has incredible photos and memories of the time Virgil served on the USS Grant. Attached is a photo she sent me today. I am going to tell his story on my blog, but as I was researching the story, I came upon your website. I have been told by Margaret, that during the battle on Oct. 24, 1944 in the Surigao Strait, when the USS Grant was severely damaged, Virgil David told the Captain that he could get on of the motors running. The story told is that Virgil was temporarily elevated to something just below the Captain, and directed the repair to get the ship motor running. It then was able to sail back to a safe port for repairs." From USS Albert W. Grant (DD 649) website

Does the Captain of a ship have the authority to issue temporary rank as recited for an enlisted man to hold officer's status?

http://www.destroyersonline.com/imag...nt_article.pdf

IMO, well not opinion, the Captain has the right to conduct whatever authority he deems necessary while the ships is underway in a war zone or at sea. Its quite possible this is true. Many strange actions happened in the USN during WWII with the Captains approval. You may want to inquire if this gentlemen recieved some sort of medal or accomidation, perhaps citation for his acts of leadership while the ship was in danger. That may tell you. Sounds like he was certainly deserving of one.

A good looking profile of the ship no less.

[QUOTE=blidgepump;862312]

Originally Posted by blidgepump

Nineteen Fletcher-class destroyers received twenty Navy Unit Commendations for service in World War Two.

In alphabetical order

USS Albert W. Grant (DD 649)

"I have become aquatinted with the family of Virgil David, who served on the USS Grant during WW2, now deceased. His wife Margaret has incredible photos and memories of the time Virgil served on the USS Grant. Attached is a photo she sent me today. I am going to tell his story on my blog, but as I was researching the story, I came upon your website. I have been told by Margaret, that during the battle on Oct. 24, 1944 in the Surigao Strait, when the USS Grant was severely damaged, Virgil David told the Captain that he could get on of the motors running. The story told is that Virgil was temporarily elevated to something just below the Captain, and directed the repair to get the ship motor running. It then was able to sail back to a safe port for repairs." From USS Albert W. Grant (DD 649) website

Does the Captain of a ship have the authority to issue temporary rank as recited for an enlisted man to hold officer's status?

http://www.destroyersonline.com/imag...nt_article.pdf

You don't have to elevate a sailor to a higher rank, you just have to deal with the Engineering Officer who is going to be pissed.

On two different fitness reports for my Dad, one for a heavy cruiser and destroyer, the captain pretty much wrote that my Dad was responsible for everything in the engineering spaces.

I remember my Dad mentioning that he had to leave the heavy cruiser because the Engineering Officer was always making his life miserable. A few years later I was looking through my Dad's Destroyer Cruise book and there was a picture of my Dad standing next to that ship's Engineering Officer. My Dad mentioned that that guy made his life miserable.

It wasn't until after my Dad passed away that I ran across his fitness reports where the Captains put him in charge of the engineering spaces. In both cases it was the Captain's fault for going over the Engineering Officer's head. Each case the Engineering Office held a grudge.

I know that if I was the Engineering Officer aboard that ship and this man got those engines running in such a dangerous area and at such a dangerous time, I dont think I would hold a grudge but I would definately want him on my team in Engineering. If it took a promotion to get him there then so be since "all" would benefit in this instance not just one man. In the end, they all sailed or sank together.

Originally Posted by blidgepump

Does the Captain of a ship have the authority to issue temporary rank as recited for an enlisted man to hold officer's status?

No.

He would have the authority to meritorious promote to the next higher enlisted rank. Maybe when/where the sailor was promoted to PO1.

The Grant didn't sail to back to a safe port for repairs.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/649.htm

From the NUC

For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 24 to 27, 1944. Conducting a determined torpedo attack against a Japanese task force in Surigao Strait on the night of October 24, the U.S.S. ALBERT W. GRANT closed range to fire her first half salvo of torpedoes and succeeded in scoring hits on a Japanese battleship. Although severely damaged when heavy enemy guns opened fire as she turned to retire, she remained in the battle area and successfully launched her five remaining torpedoes, scoring hits on other enemy units. With all power gone, fires raging, compartments rapidly flooding and over one hundred casualties to care for, she fought throughout the night to remain afloat. Finally, assisted by a tug from Leyte, she effected the repair of her crudely patched holes and the pumping out of excess water and oil, resolutely continuing damage control measures until she could be taken in tow to an anchorage in Leyte Gulf. Crippled but undaunted, the ALBERT W. GRANT, superbly handled by gallant officers and men, rendered distinctive service and upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

And from DHF

Caught in crossfire and disabled by 22 hits, including many 6-inch rounds from cruiser Denver, she was towed clear from alongside by Newcomb after firing ceased—the only American ship damaged during the battle at a cost to the Japanese of two battleships and three destroyers sunk and three cruisers damaged.

It sounds like a sea story that has been embellished through time. And probably from the family. Not 1st Class David. Example, he tells his sons he was a First Class Petty Officer. Sons don't join the Navy or know rank and by the time the grand kids are telling the story, Grandpa has become a first class officer which must be a rank just below the CO of the ship.

IMO, I dont know this to be exactly accurate in this instance but the family should first start out with his DD214. The USN wether he live or perished should have issued this when he was discharged. Obviously he lived to see the end so they should at least have some sort of stable starting point to trace his USN career until discharged from the USN. His medals awarded, citations, actions of merit etc will be recorded there. I have seen WWII DD214's they were that accurate. At the very bottom of the document they record such instances and awards.

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

IMO, I dont know this to be exactly accurate in this instance but the family should first start out with his DD214. The USN wether he live or perished should have issued this. Obviously he lived so they should at least have some sort of stable starting point to trace his USN career until discharged from the USN. His medals awarded, citations, actions of merit etc will be recorded there. I have seen several of the WWII DD214's they were that accurate.

Military Personnel Records

Originally Posted by Ytlas

Military Personnel Records

Now a website....incredible.

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

Now a website....incredible.

My late neighbor told my Dad that he went into the Army in the late Forties (out of high school) and three years later left as a Colonel. Yes, it's really insane, but his last wife and her friends believe it. Audie Murphy didn't do that well.

The shipyard was full of "Former Rangers" and "Former Seals" and even a MOH winner. The MOH "Winner" name has never appeared on any list I've seen and the people who claimed to be former Special Forces personnel were the types of yardbirds who couldn't chew gum and walk at the same time.

Well the only thing I can say is that I have held the "real deal" in my hands and the one I did was completely carbon blued with white writing on 40's era paper and folded the original way. I would state my name on that it was originial to the man that recieved it.

<Is a former nothing compared to this man. And no doubt many others like him.

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

Well the only thing I can say is that I have held the "real deal" in my hands and the one I did was completely carbon blued with white writing on 40's era paper and folded the original way. I would state my name on that it was originial to the man that recieved it.

<Is a former nothing compared to this man. And no doubt many others like him.

Because of the 1973 fire at the Records Center, the availability of any medal except the MOH, computers and high quality scanners, a person can manufacture a glorious military career even if they never served. You see TV programs of con men who who have done such a thing and steal large amounts of money from trusting people.

Originally Posted by Ytlas

Because of the 1973 fire at the Records Center, the availability of any medal except the MOH, computers and high quality scanners, a person can manufacture a glorious military career even if they never served. You see TV programs of con men who who have done such a thing and steal large amounts of money from trusting people.

Agreed Salty and damned be their name for impersonating those that served. One thing they cannot fake is the records that come pre-1973, perhaps thats why they were fashioned the way they were. Almost as thin as crepe paper but slightly more durable and not breaking on the folds..