USS Cooper (DD-695)

USS "Cooper" (DD-695), a sclass|Allen M. Sumner|destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Elmer Glenn Cooper, a naval aviator who died in a seaplane accident in 1938. The "Cooper" was launched 9 February 1944 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. Elmer G. Cooper; and commissioned 27 March 1944, Commander J. W. Schmidt in command.

"Cooper" cleared Boston 23 July 1944 for Pearl Harbor arriving 4 September. After operational training, she sailed 23 October for Ulithi, arriving 5 November, and put to sea at once to screen carriers in air attacks on Luzon, Ormoc Bay, and Manila Bay until 19 November.

After repairs at Ulithi, she entered San Pedro Bay, Philippines, 29 November and joined in patrols in Leyte Gulf until 2 December, when she sailed with "Allen M. Sumner" (DD-692) and "Moale" (DD-693) to destroy shipping in Japanese-held Ormoc Bay. Here the ships engaged two small enemy destroyers and numerous small craft. At about 00:13 on 3 December, "Cooper" was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer "Take". ["Cooper" was probably sunk by "Kuwa" according to this source:
*]

Reports state that she suffered an explosion on her starboard side, then it broke in two, and sank within a minute. The presence of enemy forces prevented rescue of survivors until about 14:00, when "Black Cat" airplanes were able to save 168 of Cooper's crew; 191 were lost.

In the Battle of Ormoc Bay, "Kuwa" was sunk and "Take" was damaged by the American destroyers. In addition to the loss of "Cooper", "Allen M. Sumner" and "Moale" were both damaged.

A documentary TV film on the "Cooper" was produced by Bigfoot Entertainment and made its debut in mid-2006. It featured deep-sea diver Rob Lalumiere and survivors of the "Cooper" sinking. For further information, see Battle of Ormoc Bay.

"Cooper" was awarded one battle star for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://history.navy.mil/danfs/c13/cooper.htm
* Griggs, William F., "Prelude to Victory"

External links

* [http://www.usscooper.com usscooper.com: USS "Cooper"] documentary site
* [http://www.dd-692.com/lalumiere.htm Return to History - the dive on the USS "Cooper" by Rob Lalumiere]
*
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd695txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Cooper"]