Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONIES Gibraltar, 2 August 1 952

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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.

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Front Row: LT DAVIDSON. LT BARRETT, LCDR NfAURER, Captain HODGSON, LT HOFFMAN, LT GUELICH, LT TOBEY. Second Row: ENS TURNER, ENS COPELAND, LTJG HORTY, ENS COSGROVE, LTJG HALBERT, ENS ACKERMAN, LT REOCK. Ust Row: LTJG SAUTER, ENS CURRY, LTJG MACKEY, ENS STONE, LTJG CARPENTER, ENS HANRAHAN. OFFICERS The task of directing the operations of the BENHAM is given to 21 officers. Under Captain J. T. Hodgson Jr. and Lieutenant Commander R. A. Maurer Jr., Executive Officer, the organization is divided into five departments. Operations, Gunnery, Engmeering, Navigation and Supply. The Operations Depart- ment is headed by Lieutenant W. P. Hoffman assisted by Lieutenant E. C. Reock Jr., Communications Officer; Lieutenant (junior grade) K. D. Halbert, C.LC. Officer; Lieutenant (junior grade) W. A. Sauter, Electronics Officer; Ensign C. T. Turner Jr., A.S.W. Officer; Ensign T. P. Curry, Assistant Communications Oflficer and Ensign M. J. Cosgrove, Signal Officer. Lieutenant G. S. Barrett is the Gunnery Officer assisted by Lieutenant A. C. Tobey, First Lieutenant; Ensign J. R. Copeland, Second Division Officer; Ensign E. S. Hanrahan, First Division Oflicer and Ensign R. T. Ackerman, Torpedo Officer. The Engineering Oflficer is Lieutenant B. M. Guelich assisted by Lieutenant H. A. Davidson, Main Propulsion Assistant; Lieutenant (junior grade) T. J. Horty, E Division Junior Officer; Lieutenant (junior grade) H. I. Mackey, Damage Control Assistant; and Ensign S. Melesko, Jr., Electrical Officer. The Navigator is Ensign J. M. Stone and Lieutenant o nior grade) N. E. Carpenter is Supply Officer.