Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

USS Bennion (DD 662)

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Namesake
  
Mervyn S. Bennion

Commissioned
  
14 December 1943

Struck
  
15 April 1971

Launched
  
4 July 1943

Displacement
  
1.86 million kg

Laid down
  
19 March 1943

Decommissioned
  
20 June 1946

Construction started
  
19 March 1943

Weight
  
2,083 tons

Builder
  
Boston Navy Yard


Honours and awards
  
10 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation American Campaign Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (8 stars) World War II Victory Navy Occupation Service Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Philippine Liberation (2 stars)

USS Bennion (DD-662) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy. The ship was named for Captain Mervyn S. Bennion who was killed in action during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, while in command of West Virginia. Captain Bennion was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Contents

Bennion was launched 4 July 1943 by Boston Navy Yard, sponsored by Captain Bennion's widow. It was commissioned 14 December 1943 with Commander Joshua W. Cooper in command.

Service history

On 5 January 1944, Bennion encountered two Japanese Matsu class destroyers, Hinoki and Momi, both returning to China after the aircraft carrier Unryu was torpedoed and sunk by USS Redfish (SS-395). Other US destroyers joined in the short fight, and both Japanese destroyers turned away, only for Momi to be caught, torpedoed and sunk by TBM Avengers of Task Force 77 shortly afterwards. Hinoki was later caught and sunk with all hands by gunfire of USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570) and three other destroyers.

Bennion departed Philadelphia, Pa. 3 March 1944 escorting Bataan to the Pacific. Arriving at Pearl Harbor 22 March, she trained and patrolled in Hawaiian waters until 29 May 1944. Moving westward she served as a fighter director and radar picket ship during the following campaigns:

  • Marianas Operation (10 June 1944 – 27 August 1944)
  • Tinian Capture and Occupation (24 July 1944 – 1 August 1944)
  • Western Caroline Islands Operation (31 August – 14 October 1944)
  • Leyte Operation (10 October 1944 – 29 November 1944)
  • Luzon Operation (12 December 1944 – 1 April 1945)
  • Iwo Jima Operation (15 February 1945 – 16 March 1945)
  • Okinawa Gunto Operation (17 March 1945 – 30 June 1945)
  • Third Fleet Operations Against Japan (10 July 1945 – 15 August 1945)

    • During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Bennion assisted in sinking the Japanese battleship Yamashiro with torpedoes.

    Bennion returned to Puget Sound Navy Yard 27 October 1945 and went out of commission in reserve at Long Beach, Calif., 20 June 1946. The ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 15 April 1971. She was sold 30 May 1973 and broken up for scrap.

    Awards

    Bennion received the Presidential Unit Citation for her actions off Okinawa (1 April – 1 June 1945), and eight battle stars.

    References

    USS Bennion (DD-662) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA