Alfred A Cunningham (DD 752) - Naval Cruise Book

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LT. COLONEL ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM Alfred Austell Cunningham was born in Atlanta, Georgia on 8 March 1882. As a young man he was deeply interested in the balloon flights of that era, and in 1903 young Cunningham made two known balloon ascensions. On 25 January 1909, Alfred A. Cunningham accepted an appointment as 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps. He served on the Battleship New Jersey in 1909, the Battleship North Dakota in 1910, and the Cruiser Lancaster in 1911. His interest in flying con- tinually grew, and in 1912 his ambition was attained when he became the first pilot in the Marine Corps. After a total instruction time of but 2 hours and 40 minutes he made his first solo flight. He then in turn instructed other pilots, and was in charge of Marine Corps avia- tion during the First World War. He was most active in the promotion of military aviation, and after 26 years in the United States Marine Corps, he retired from active duty in August 1935 with the rank of Major. While in retirement he was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He died on the 27th day of May 1939. In recognition of Lt. Colonel Cunningham ' s contribution to Marine Corps Aviation, the United States Navy honored his name with the launching of the U.S.S. Alfred A. Cunningham DD 752. The ship was officially launched by his widow on 3 August 1944.

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On the morning of 2 January 1951, a few hours after the celebration of the New Year, the Cunningham set her course for Pearl Harbor, the first step on the way to a troubled world. Soon after leaving Pearl Harbor she stopped briefly at the Island of Midway, while en route to Japan. Shortly afterwards the Cunningham became an integral part of the fast carrier Task Force 77, participated in the patroling of Formosa, and was later assigned to Task Force 95, where she saw much service and was most active on both the eastern and western coasts of Korea. While working under the United Nations Flag, she served in all phases of modern warfare as a front line fightir ship of the United States Navy. Eight months later, after having fired over 4,000 rounds of ammuni- tion from her main batteries, in the Korean area, the Cunningham re- turned to her port of departure San Diego, California, on 4 September 1951 for a much needed rest and periodic overhaxil. From those of us who have been with her we say, well done, Alfred A. Cunningham, DD 752.

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