USS Dale W. Peterson (DE-337)

USS "Dale W. Peterson" (DE–337) was an "Edsall" class destroyer escort, the first United States Navy ship so named. This ship was named for Ensign Dale William Peterson (18 November 1919 – 8 May 1942), who was awarded the Navy Cross for distinguished service in intercepting enemy bombers attacking his carrier 20 February 1942, and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Operational history

"Dale W. Peterson" (DE-337) was launched 22 December 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. N. F. Peterson, mother of Ensign Peterson; and commissioned 17 February 1944, Lieutenant Commander A. A. Hero USNR, in command.

Arriving at Norfolk 19 April, 1944 "Dale W. Peterson" was assigned to train nucleus crews. Between 1 July and 27 September she made two trans-Atlantic voyages escorting convoys to the Mediterranean, then from 1 November, 1944 to 3 June 1945 "Dale W. Peterson" operated between New York, the United Kingdom and France, making five crossings. She sailed from New York on 24 June, for training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the West Coast, arriving at San Diego on 1 August. Underway the next day for Pearl Harbor she arrived as the war in the Pacific was fast coming to a close and on 2 September, the day of signing of the Japanese surrender, "Dale W. Peterson" was ordered to return to the East Coast. On 29 October she arrived at Green Cove Springs, Florida, and was placed out of commission, in reserve there on 27 March 1946.

"Dale W. Peterson" was struck from the Navy list on 2 January 1971 and sold on 10 April 1972 for scrapping.

References

See also

* Albert Bigelow