Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

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The USS BENNER (DD-807) was built by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, launched on 20 November 1944 and commissioned on 13 February 1945. She was named after Second Lieutenant Stanley G. Benner, United States IVIarine Corps Reserve, who won the Silver Star Medal posthumously for displaying courageous determination in leading his platoon against greatly superior enemy forces at Point Lunga, Guadalcanal, and Solomon Islands. Upon commissioning, the ship was converted from a Destroyer to a Radar Picket Destroyer whose primary job is to steam ahead of a task force and warn the main body of the approaching enemy. BENNER spent the next few months getting fitted out and on 8 June 1945 she started her trip to the West Coast and the U.S. Pacific Fleet via the Panama Canal. On 26 July 1945, BENNER joined Task Group 38.3 operating in the home waters of the Japanese empire. BENNER performed as a Radar Picket, and on strike days BENNER took position with other Destroyers controlling friendly aircraft and preventing success- ful enemy air attacks. On one of these strike days, 9 August 1945, she got her Baptism by Kamikaze . The task force fought off numerous attacks. Although nearby ships were hit, BENNER escaped damage. BENNER continued to operate in the Pacific until the end of World War II and remained part of the Pacific Fleet until 1949. On 1 May 1949, BENNER, along with DesDiv 102, was trans- ferred to the Atlantic Fleet to be homeported at Newport, Rhode Island. Durmg the next seven years she made three Mediteranean Cruises, one to South America and one to the Arctic. In 1956, BENNER in company with DesDiv 102, returned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and her homeport of Long Beach, California. With the change of homeports BENNER changed division. She became part of Destroyer Division 91 and Squadron Nine. Since 1956 BENNER has made six Far East Cruises. During these cruises BENNER served with the powerful Seventh Fleet and visited such ports as Hawaii, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, Okinawa, and others. Following a year of intensive fleet operations in the Eastern Pacific, which included a cold weather trip to Alaska, BENNER entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard in June of 1962 for a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization Overhaul (FRAM MKII). Upon completion of the overhaul, BENNER was transferred to Destroyer Squadron 23, the famed Little Beaver Squadron, formerly commanded by Arleigh A. Burke. After completion of her yard period BENNER joined Carrier Division Nineteen and Destroyer Division 232 and commenced extensive Anti-Submarine Warfare operations, which now in- cluded the use of her DASH (Drone Anti-Submarin€ Helicopter) in preparation for her forthcoming Western Pacific Cruise. Early in August, BENNER sailed with Carrier Division Nineteen for an Alaskan Visit. Enroute BENNER stopped in Seattle, Washington to join in the annual Seafair festivities. While In Alaska BENNER visited Juneau and Kodiak Island before returning to her homeport. In April 1965 BENNER and Destroyer Division 232, along with USS HORNET (CVS-12) became part of Anti-Submarine War- f i

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ejPZMJ JS MSSSA( S As we complete another WestPac Cruise all hands can look back with pride on a job well done. BENNER has once more made a significant contribution to the interests of our nation, participating in direct combat and combat support roles as well as the less drarhatic but fully as important, function of training, showing the flag, and being forever ready to counter any additional threats to the U.S. and her allies. This cruise has provided the opportunity to visit a number of interesting and exotic ports, and to participate in a wide variety of different naval evolutions. I hope you have all found the stimulation of new experiences an adequate compensation for the long hours of hard work required to make our operations both possible and successful. BENNER has proven over and over again that she is Number One. It ' s your spirit, enthusiasm and professional performance that keep her that way. I ' m proud to serve with you. L. A. HAMILTON Commander, United States Navy Commanding Officer

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fare Group One. She then began a series of local ASW Operations leading up to the ship ' s sixth Western Pacific deployment since rejoining the Pacific Fleet. In May on one of these exercises, BENNER was the first ship to conduct an In-Flight Refueling of a Helicopter. On 12 August 1965, BENNER and the rest of Anti-Submarine Warfare Group One departed Long Beach for a six month deployment to the Western Pacific. BENNER joined Task Force 77 operating off the coasts of North and South Vietnam. During this period BENNER joined a Sea-Air Rescue Team in the Gulf of Tonkin, during which BENNER conducted the first opera- tional in-flight refueling of helicopters and assisted in the rescue of downed pilots. On the 18th of January 1966, BENNER began her transit back to Long Beach, which was completed on the 3rd of March. While in the states BENNER continued her upkeep and had a shipyard availability which increased her ECM capabilities. BENNER took part in HUKASWEX 66 and upon completion made final preparations for her 66-67 WestPac Cruise. On this cruise BENNER spent much time on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin. On the morning of 6 January 1967, BENNER drew first blood when she fired upon three small logistic craft which were visible only when they rode the crest of a swell. On the next afternoon the ship fired on an aircraft battery that had fired at friendly aircraft; after a 20 round fire for effect, air craft reported that the battery was effectively destroyed. When BENNER detached she showed the enemy the true temper of the sword upon her crest. During this period the ship fired 1281 rounds of 5 inch ammunition while conducting 36 fire missions and 8 counter battery fire missions. BENNER then headed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan where she took part in Taiwan Patrol. Upon completion of this patrol BENNER started her long trip back to Long Beach. The ship arrived in Long Beach on the 12th of May and took a well deserved rest until 12 June when 39 NROTC Midshipmen embarked for their summer cruise. During this time BENNER went to Pearl Harbor, San Francisco, and San Diego. During the period 7-12 November, BENNER served as rescue planeguard for USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-61) and took part in an actual SAR mission in which a Skyhawk A-4 and F-4 Phantom collided in mid-air. As a result one pilot and several pieces of wreckage were recovered. During the period 6 to 8 February BENNER successfully under- went her annual Administrative and Pre-deployment Inspection. It was also during this period the BENNER along with the other ships of DesDiv 29 were transferred to Destroyer Squadron 29. DesRon 29 was assigned as a unit of Cruiser- Destroyer Flotilla Seven and Anti-Submarine Group Three. BENNER then began her final preparations for her forthcoming Western Pacific Cruise.