USS Bennion

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.

USS Bennion (DD-662), 13 January 1945
History
United States
Namesake: Mervyn S. Bennion
Builder: Boston Navy Yard
Laid down: 19 March 1943
Launched: 4 July 1943
Commissioned: 14 December 1943
Decommissioned: 20 June 1946
Stricken: 15 April 1971
Honours and
awards:
Fate: Sold for scrap, 30 May 1973
General characteristics
Class and type: Fletcher class destroyer
Displacement: 2,050 tons
Length: 376 ft 6 in (114.7 m)
Beam: 39 ft 8 in (12.1 m)
Draft: 17 ft 9 in (5.4 m)
Propulsion:
  • 60,000 shp (45 MW);
  • 2 propellers
Speed: 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range:
  • 6500 nm at 15 kn
  • (12,000 km at 28 km/h)
Complement: 329 officers and men (1943)
Armament:

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 1945, 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 the light aircraft carrier 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:[1]

  • 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 (Task Force 54, 17 March 1945 – 30 June 1945)
  • Third Fleet Operations Against Japan (10 July 1945 – 15 August 1945)

During the Battle of Surigao Strait, in October 1944, Bennion assisted in sinking the Japanese battleship Yamashiro with torpedoes.[2] Future Chief of Naval Operations Lieutenant (junior grade) James L. Holloway III, served on the Bennion as officer in charge of the destroyer's main fire director.[3] The full extent of Bennion's contribution to sinking the Yamashiro was not recognized until 2010.[4]

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
Another view of Bennion at sea

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

References
  1. Destroyer History Foundation
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3sCYEVFRMI
  3. Naval Historical Foundation (24 October 2014). "Admiral Holloway and the Battle of Surigao Strait". Youtube. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
    Holloway, James (October 2010). "Second Salvo at Surigao Strait". Naval History Magazine. U.S. Naval Institute. 24 (5). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  4. Ibid
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