Hopewell (DD 681) - Naval Cruise Book

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The USS HOPEWELL was commissioned 30 September 1943. She is a 2100 ton destroyer, 376 feet long with a beam of 395 feet. One of the Fletcher class vessels, she was built at the San Pedro, California yard of the Bethlehem Steel Company. The 681 was named in honor of Pollard Hopewell, Midshipman, U.S. Navy. Hetserved on the U.S. Frigate CHESAPEAKE from 12 August 1812 until he was killed in action during battle between that vessel and the British Frigate SHANNON on 1 june 1813. As a seven star veteran of Pacific operations during World War II, our ship engaged in shore bombardment missions, fought enemy aircraft, and compiled an enviable record. Early in 1944 she participated in the shore bombardment covering the initial landings on Mellu, Ennubing and Ro-i Is- lands at Kwajaleing at Aitape, New Guinea and at Medina Plantation on New Ireland. Later, pro- ceeding to Morotai Island, Dutch East Indies, she repulsed several enemy air attacks, shooting down one plane. Joining an attack group proceeding to Mindoro, Philippine Islands late in 1944, three enemy aircraft were shot down during numerous air attacks, and the actual bombardment of the island saw our ship effect the rescue of the crew of a burning LST. After that she joined the Luzon attack force, repelling several enemy air attacks and giving assistance in shooting down two aircraft. On 12 February 1945 the HOPEWELL was assigned to give fire support to the Bataan-Corregidor attack-' grotipf 'A While rescuing survivors of a YMS, four hits were received from enemy shore batteries Non Corregidor.. hits in number one stack put the forward fire room out of commission' one six Pinch hit -outside 'plotfdestroyed thc gyro, computer and internal communications system. The fourth Xhit was at the base of Qumber one torpedo mount. Seven men were killed, and 12 woun-ded, one of lwhom died, later., g - 2 Q Qlate ,inf19i46 the,QI-IOPEWELL was de-activated and on 15 January 1947 she was placed in jreserve commission, inacfive status. On 28 March 1951 she was recommissioned at the Naval Base in San Diego, Californiai The latter part of April she commenced her shakedown training period, and in june of 1951 proceeded, with the remainder of her division, to the Korean area for duty. Q., She 'served with Task Force 77, the Formosa Patrol, and spent a month bombarding Wonsan. The shipwwas given a complete overhaul on her return to the States in February 1952. This work was completed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard and lasted from February to june.

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Our Captain was Commander james B. Hildreth, who took over the Hopewell in March of 1952 while we were still at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He was graduated from the University of California in 1941, with a hachelor of sci- ence degree and entered the Navy immedi- ately after. During World War II he saw considerable action and recently added a 14th battle star to his numerous campaign and service medals as a result of our Korean cruise. Our skipper reported from the Naval School at Monterey, California where he was attached as instructor. His wife and two sons reside in Coronado, Calif. ' . . D Q 342 CLYLWQQI' M 0116! tk? CZJXQCIH Making his second Far Eastern cruise aboard the Hopewell as Executive Officer was Lieutenant Commander Charles E. Wood. The Exec,' reported aboard in March of 1951 from an Inspector-Instructor assignment at Pasadena, California. A 1941 graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, Lt. Cdr. Wood saw co.nsiderable action dur- ing,World War II.