Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP ' S HISTORY The present BENHAM is the third ship of that name to honor the memory of Rear Admiral A. E. K. Benham, USN. First came the 11 6-ton Destroyer Number 49, which was commissioned as the USS BENHAM on 20 January 1914 and operated in the war zone during the First World War. The second in the BENHAM line was Destroyer 397, constructed in 1938. When the United States was drawn into the Second World War in 1941 the ship commenced eleven months of almost continuous combat service in the Pacific area. The BENHAM was in on both the Midway and Solomon Islands battles. On 14 November 1942, while operating at night off Guadalcanal, the BENHAM, along with the destroyers PRESTON and WALKE, was sunk by enemy action. How- ever, the Japanese force engaged was even more severely damaged, and this battle marked the end of the enemy threat to the Solomons offensive. The present BENHAM was built at Staten Island and was commissioned on 20 December 1943. After shakedown training in the Caribbean, the destroyer sailed for the Pacific, and by the end of May 1944 was ready for battle. While proceeding west- ward with a group of escort carriers, the formation came under severe air attack and the BENHAM was credited with two kills . Throughout July and August the destroyer provided illumination for night operations on northern Tinian, pounded troop concen- trations, and supported landings on Guam. Palau was hit in early September, Mindanao and the central Philippines later in that month. After replenishing and making routine repairs, the BENHAM again sortied with the carriers in October and participated in strikes against Okinawa, Formosa, Leyte, and Luzon. Operations in early December were carried on in extremely rough seas which culminated in a typhoon on the 18th. By 1120 that morning the BENHAM was in the grip of a tropical cyclone. The wind was estimated at 100 knots. By 1800 the core of the storm had passed and the crew conducted a fruitless search for surv ' ivors of less fortunate vessels. In early 194 ' i BENHAM participated in attacks on Formosa, Luzon, Camranh Bay, Saigon, Hong Kong, Canton, and Hainan. Later operations brought the destroyer to Iwo Jima, Okinawa again, and the Japanese home islands. The month of August was one of speculation and rumor. BENHAM participated in the last strike against Tokyo on the 13th and news of the Japanese surrender arrived while on radar picket station two days later. Return to the United States followed and on 18 October 1946 the ship was decommissioned. The BENHAM remained in mothballs for four and a half years. On 24 March 1951 with the world situation worsening and calling for increased American naval strength, the destroyer was recommissioned at Long Beach, California. Trial runs were completed by the middle of April, and the BENHAM steamed south for shakedown training. On 5 July 1951 the ship entered the waters of the Atlantic for the first time since 1944. Four months were spent in the Boston Naval Shipyard. The BENHAM returned to sea in November 1951 and headed back to the warmer waters off Cuba for seven weeks of refresher training. On 22 April the BENHAM sailed from Newport, Rhode Island. The USS NOA joined from Norfolk a few days later, and together the two destroyers headed eastward across the Atlantic for Europe.

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DEDICATION Dedicated to the officers and men of the U.S.S. BENHAM who have served to make it one of the cleanest and smartest destroyers in the Atlantic Fleet. OFFSET IITMOGHAPMT (Y SPAUlOING MOSS COMPANY lOSION MASSACHyStllS. U S .

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ALLEN P. COOK, Jr. Commander, U . S. Navy Commanding Officer 24 March 19 1 to 2 August 1952 Born in LaCenter, Kentucky. Entered U. S. Naval Academy in 1936, graduated in 1940. Ordered to U.S.S. NEVADA (BB36), participated in following World War II actions: ( 1 ) Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (2) Landings at Attu Island (Aleutian Chain) — 1943 (3) Normandy Landing — 1944 (4) Landing in Southern France — 1944 (5) Bombardment of Wetje Island (Marshall Island group) — 1944 (6) Landings at Iwo Jima — 1945 (7) Landings at Okinawa — 194°) Received Bronze Star Medal for Normandy operation. Navy Commendation Ribbon for action off Okinawa during which NEVADA was struck by kamikaze plane and Japanese shore batteries. Participated in Magic Carpet operation of returning servicemen to the United States after World War II ended. Detached from U.S.S. NEVADA in 1946, ordered to U.S.S. EVERETT F. LARSON (DD 830) as Executive Officer while that vessel was engaged in occupation duty in Japan. Was detached and ordered to shore duty at U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Served one year at U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York as special exchange officer from U. S. Naval Academy. Returned to sea in July 1950 as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. BUCK (DD 761), operating off Korea in support of United Nations Forces. Detached in March 1951, ordered to Pacific Reserve Fleet for reactivation of the U.S.S. BENHAM (DD 796). Recommissioned U.S.S. BENHAM on March 24, 1951 as Commanding Officer, was detached on arrival Gibraltar after completion of Northern European Cruise. JAMES T. HODGSON, Jr. Commander. U. S. Navy Commanding Officer 2 August 19 2 to Date Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, entered Massachusetts Nautical School in 1932 and graduated with distinction in 1934. Served on various vessels of the American Export Line and United Fruit Company and, in 1937, joined the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve as Ensign. In 1940, returned to Massa- chusetts Nautical School as instructor and First Lieutenant of the U.S.S. NANTUCKET. In 1941 joined the U. S. Maritime Commission as inspector and instructor, teaching at Fort Schuyler, New York, and at the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Great Neck, Long Island. Was called to active duty in January 1942 and ordered to the Merchant Marine Reserve Section of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In 1943 was ordered to Deep Sea Diving School in Washington and in July 1943, joined the U.S.S. GREENLET (ASR 10) as Executive Officer. Took command of that ship in December 1943, operating with the Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. In August 1945, was ordered to the U.S.S. AUDRAIN (APA 59) as Executive Officer and took com- mand in November 1945. Participated in Magic Carpet operation and finally laid up the ship in June 1946 at Pearl Harbor. Ordered to U.S.S. ALDEBARAN (AF 10) as Com- manding Officer in August 1946 and transferred to Regular Navy with rank of Commander. Detached from U.S.S. ALDEBARAN in August 1947 and ordered to duty at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. In June 1949 was ordered to duty as U.S. Naval Attache at the American Embassy, Colombo, Ceylon. In April 1952, was ordered to join the U.S.S. BENHAM (DD 796) as Commanding Officer. Joined the ship at Plymouth, England and took command August 2, 1952 at Gibraltar.