USS J. Douglas Blackwood (DE-219)

USS "J. Douglas Blackwood " (DE-219), a "Buckley" class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Commander J. Douglas Blackwood (1881–1942), who was killed in action, aboard the cruiser USS "Vincennes", during the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942.

"J. Douglas Blackwood" was launched 29 May 1943, by Philadelphia Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. J. Douglas Blackwood, widow of Comdr. Blackwood; and commissioned 15 December 1943, Comdr. R. V. Randolph in command.

After shakedown off Bermuda, "J. Douglas Blackwood" rendezvoused with carrier USS "Hornet" off Hampton Roads 14 February 1944, to escort her to the Panama Canal. The escort ship then returned to the East Coast for duty as training ship and coastal escort until departing Norfolk, Virginia 18 March for the Pacific. Sailing via the Panama Canal and Pearl Harbor, "J. Douglas Blackwood", arrived Majuro 18 April 1944, to begin vital convoy screening work between America's far-flung island bases. The ship operated mainly in the Solomons and Admiralties, returning to Pearl Harbor in October 1944 for anti-submarine training.

"J. Douglas Blackwood", steamed to Eniwetok 2 November, and resumed convoy escort work, this time between the Solomons and the Philippines. As that great archipelago was liberated, island by island, the escort ship helped bring supplies and men from advance bases. She remained on this duty until arriving Pearl Harbor 12 April 1945, and for the remainder of the war operated in Hawaiian waters training with newly commissioned carriers and Pacific Fleet submarines.

The war over, "J. Douglas Blaokwood" steamed into Mare Island Navy Yard 4 September 1945, and after repairs made the long voyage through the Canal to the East Coast. She arrived New London 9 January 1946, decommissioned 20 April 1946, and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

With the outbreak of fighting in Korea in 1950, the Navy's need of fighting ships once again increased. "J. Douglas Blackwood", recommissioned 5 February 1951, Lieutenant Commander J. R. McKee in command. Based at Norfolk, the ship alternated between duty there and the Fleet Sonar School at Key West, Florida. She also engaged in at sea training for midshipmen, cruising to the Caribbean and Brazil in the summer of 1953. She remained on this important training duty, not only keeping herself at peak readiness but also contributing to the development of new anti-submarine tactics, until arriving at Philadelphia 15 November 1957. There she began her new assignment as Reserve Training Ship.

"J. Douglas Blackwood" decommissioned 1 August 1958, and was placed "in service." For the next 3 years, she acted as training ship for naval reservists in the Philadelphia area. However, when America's will was tested once again in the 1961 Berlin Crisis, the ship was again recalled to active service, commissioning 2 October 1961, Comdr. J. J. Grebis in command. After refresher training in the Caribbean, she served on escort and patrol duty in the Atlantic through the summer of 1962. She decommissioned 1 August 1962, reverted to her "in-service" status, and resumed reserve training duty at Philadelphia. "J. Douglas Blackwood" remained on this important duty into 1967, always ready to serve the Navy in time of need.

"J. Douglas Blackwood" received three battle stars for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j1/j_douglas_blackwood.htm history.navy.mil: USS "J. Douglas Blackwood"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/219.htm navsource.org: USS "J. Douglas Blackwood"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/escorts/de219.txt hazegray.org: USS "J. Douglas Blackwood"]