USS Bennion (DD-662)

USS "Bennion" (DD-662) was a "Fletcher"-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Captain Mervyn S. Bennion (1887–1941), who was killed in action during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, while in command of "West Virginia" (BB-48). Captain Bennion was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Bennion was launched 4 July 1943 by Boston Navy Yard, sponsored by Mrs. M. S. Bennion, Captain Bennion's widow; and commissioned 14 December 1943, Commander J. W. Cooper in command.

"Bennion" departed Philadelphia, Pa. 3 March 1944 escorting "Bataan" (CVL-29) 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 Saipan seizure (15 June–24 July 1944);
* Tinian occupation (24 July–2 August),
* Palaus occupation (2–29 September);
* Leyte invasion (18 October–18 November) during which she was slightly damaged by a shore battery;
* Mindoro landings (13–17 December);
* Lingayen Gulf landings (7–20 January 1945),
* Iwo Jima invasion (18 February–12 March),
* Okinawa seizure (26 March–8 June) during which the near miss of a kamikaze suicide plane caused slight damage;
* and the 3rd Fleet raids against Japan (18–29 July).

"Bennion" returned to Puget Sound Navy Yard 27 October 1945 and went out of commission in reserve at Long Beach, Calif., 20 June 1946.

"Bennion" 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

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b5/bennion-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b5/bennion-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Bennion"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/662.htm navsource.org: USS "Bennion"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd662txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Bennion"]