Eversole (DD 789) - Naval Cruise Book

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Photo courtesy of Our Navy Photo, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217 USS E VERS OLE DE-404 The first Eversole (DE-404 ) was launched December 3, 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co. Houston. Texas; sponsored by Mrs. Sarah R. Eversole, mother of Lieutenant (junior grade) Eversole, and commissioned March 21, 1944; Lieutenant Commander G.E. Marix in com- mand. Eversole sailed from Boston May 20, 1944 tor Pearl Harbor, arriving June 19. Alter training with submarines in the Hawaiian Islands, she made an escort voyage to Eniwetok, then sailed to Eniwetok and Manus on escort duty. She returned to Eniwetok for antisub- marine patrols until August 9, when she put to sea screening carriers for the attack on Morotai. She continued this duty, serving with the escort carriers in the initial assaults in Leyte Gulf on October 20. During the Battle for Leyte Gulf, when a decisive victory was won after great hazard to the escort carriers and their screens, Eversole screened two of the damaged carriers, rescued dow ned pilots and took wounded off one of the carriers. In the earl) morning of October 28, Eversole made contact by sonar with a submarine and only half a minute later suffered the first of two torpedo hits. The ship was ordered abandoned and after the men were all in the water, the submarine surfaced and opened lire then dived once more. Five minutes later there was a tremendous underwater explosion which killed or wounded all of Eversole ' s men. Lights from the survivor ' s flashlights attracted two other escorts, one oi which rescued the 139 wounded survivors, as the other began a series of attacks which sank 1-45. presumablv the submarine which had torpedoed Eversole. Eversole received two battle stars for World War II service.

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LTJG John Thomas Eversole Born April 17, 1915 Killed in action BATTLE of MIDWAY June 4, 1942 NAVY CROSS For extraordinary heroism and courageous devotion to duty while piloting an airplane of Torpedo Squadron Six in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4. 1942 participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese Inva- tion Fleet, LTJG EVERSOLE pressed home his attack with relentless determination. In the face of a terrific barage of anti-aircraft fire the unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbable the occasion ' may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Force.

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■l£ j UM. t , Vi . | jo H JT I T • I i5S« »iu w.—- i :-• ' fl« 4 - • HI ,.» ■ - J -fir . ■•- -• 1 55 E VERS OLE DD-789 The (, ' 55 Eversole (DD-789) is the second ship to bear the name of LTJG John Thomas EVERSOLE, a torpedo plane pilot who was killed in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. His ex- traordinary heroism during this action resulted in the naming of a destroyer escort in his honor, the first USS Eversole I DE-404). This ship participated in four months of the Pacific War including the Battle of Samar and Leyte Gulf. She was sunk by a Japanese submarine on the morning of October 28, 1944, as she retired from the latter engagement. The gallantry of both LTJG EVERSOLE and the first ship to bear his name was commemorated by the construction of the present Eversole. Built at Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, she was launched on January 8, 1946 and commissioned on the following May 10. Following her commissioning, the Eversole was outfitted at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. Her first homeport was as in San Diego and she was initially assigned as a unit of Destroyer Division 171. In December 1946 she began the first of many subsequent deployments to the Western Pacific. Sailing from San Diego in May, 1950 for her third such cruise, the Eversole was in the Orient at the outbreak of the Korean hostilities. At this time she was assigned to Destroyer Division 3 1 and im- milities. At this time she was assigned to Destroyer Sailing from San Diego in May, 1950 for her third such cruise, the Eversole was in the Orient at the outbreak of the Korean hostilities. At this time she was assigned to Destroyer Division 3 1 and im- mediately moved into enemy waters as a screen unit for the fast carrier task force, TF 77. She con- tinued this duty until February, 1951 when she returned to the United States for overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California. The Korean conflict cut short here stay in the States, for the Eversole was off on her second cruise of the war by fall of the same year. During this tour of duty, Eversole bombarded Hungnan, Wonsan and other point along Korea ' s east coast. March 1952 saw her again relieved in the Korean Theater and she returned once more to the United States for training and overhaul. Her third and final tour of the Korean War took place