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Nebraska-Related Names of United States Navy Ships. for More

Nebraska-Related Names of United States Navy Ships. for More

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Article Title: Nebraska-Related Names of .

For more articles from this special World War II issue, see the index to full text articles currently available.

Full Citation: Frederick T Daly, “Nebraska-Related Names of Ships,” Nebraska History 76 (1995): 66-73

Notes: Fifty-seven different names of state origin have been applied to Navy ships: three ships for the state, thirty- one for counties, seven for rivers, ten for cities and towns and twelve for native-born Nebraskans. See also article on Harold W Bauer, p 74 of this issue.

URL of Article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/1995_War_02_Navy_Ships.pdf

Photos: “Keeper of the Faith” oil on canvas by John P Falter; John Austin Collett; Don O Woods; the escort Woods; chart of Ships and Craft with Nebraska Names; Byron McCandless; Bruce McCandless; John J Parle; Mr and Mrs Harry Parle June 1948 Nebraska-RelatedNames qf -

By Frederick TDaly

Nebraska, a semiarid landlocked state, her people, her rivers, and her towns, cities, and counties have provided a continuing presence in the United States Navy for the past 123 years. On September 12, 1872, the screw sloop USS Omaha was commissioned in the United States Navy at the Navy Yard.! She was the first navy to bear a name of Nebraska origin. Since then sixty-two other ships and craft have been named for Nebraska places or for native Nebraskans whose exceptional service to their country was recognized by naming a ship in their honor. These ships with links to Nebraska use fifty-seven different names of state origin. Three ships have been named for the state, including one Comhusker State; thirty-one have been named for Keeper of the Faith, by Nebraska-born artist John P. Falter. Oil on canvas for Esquire, counties; seven for rivers; ten for cities March 1944. Boatswain's Mate First Class Reinhard Keppler, though not a Nebraskan, and towns; and twelve for native-born _ helped save USS during the November 12-13 BoHle of Guadalcancl. He Nebraskans. Of this number five were received the posthumously. NSHS-10645 commissioned prior to World War II, forty-six during that war, and twelve older classes become obsolete. A class two (DO), eight destroyer es­ since the war. There are currently four of ships is of the same design, and the corts (DE) or (FF), one patrol still in service in the U.S. Navy, one in class is normally identified by the first (PF), and two patrol craft (PC). the ready reserve, one in the military ship built in the class. The fleet ballistic Thirty-two are amphibious ships, includ­ sealift command, and eight serving in missile USS Nebraska (SSBN­ ing one attack (AKA), attack foreign under new names. 739), commissioned in 1993, is one of transports (APA), tank landing ships The general rules by which the naVy the Class. Destroyers, destroyer es­ (LST), medium landing ships-rocket names ships have changed over the corts, and frigates are named for U.S. (LSMR), and one fast transport (APD). years.2 Changes are dictated by the Navy, Marine Corps, and The thirteen auxiliary ships and craft in­ evolving composition of the fleet, as personnel, most of whom were killed in clude one cargo ship (AK), one trans­ new types of ships are introduced, and action, and for former secretaries of the port (AP), a light cargo ship (AKL) later navy. converted to an environmental research Frederick T. Daly is a native Nebraskan, a Nebraska-named ships can be di­ ship (AGER), fleet oilers (AO), gasoline retired U.S. Navy commander, and a graduate vided into four main types. Sixteen are tankers (AOG), a combat stores ship ofthe University ofNebraska. He is a principal surface combatants, including the screw (AF), a range tracking ship (AGTR), an analyst at Syscon Corporation, Arlington, Virginia, supporting the U.S. Navy's AEGIS sloop Omaha, the (BB) Ne­ auxiliary ship (A-ACS), and two Shipbuilding Program. braska, the light (CI:;) Omaha, harbor tugs (YTMIYTB). The two subma·

66 Nebraska and Navy Ships rines are the nuclear She served the first year in the Pacific Comdr. John Austin Collett of Omaha, a Omaha (SSN) and the nuclear fleet bal­ Fleet out of , , and 1929 United States Naval Academy listic missile submarine Nebraska in November 1921 was transferred to the graduate. Commander (SSBN), known familiarly as a Scouting Fleet home port in . In Collett was a naval aviator killed in ac­ "boomer." 1925 and 1926 Bruce operated with U.S. tion on October 26, 1942,during the Eleven ships are named for native Naval Forces in cooperation Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in the Nebraskans who have been honored for with the Department of State as a stabi­ Pacific, while commanding officer of their bravery under fire or for outstand­ lizing influence in troubled regions and Squadron 10 in USS Enterprise ing service to the navy. One harbor tug for the security of American citizens liv­ (CV-6). The ship's first commanding of­ is named for Chief Red Cloud. All but ing in these areas. She served in Atlantic ficer was John Collett's younger brother, two of these Nebraskans gave their lives Comdr. James D. Collett, also of Omaha for their country. and a 1932 graduate of the naval The careers of the ships named for academy.6 native Nebraskans are as varied as oth­ During World War II, Collett screened ers in the fleet, ranging from routine carrier task forces in the Pacific, partici­ peacetime steaming and drill to the vio­ pating in attacks on Formosa, the Chi­ lence of war at sea. nese coast, Japan, and the invasion of The first ship named for a Nebraska Okinawa. With four other destroyers native was USS Bruce (DD-329), named and an , she helped sink for Lt. Frank Bruce, USN, born in Grand the Japanese submarine I-56 in April Island on August 20, 1870. Bruce en­ 1945. During the Collett par­ tered the navy as a boatswain in Febru­ ticipated in the Inchon Invasion in Sep­ ary 1911 and was commissioned a lieu­ tember 1950 as a gunfire support ship tenant in July 1918. He was command­ and was awarded the Navy Unit Cita­ ing officer of USS Bobolink (AM5-20) tion. She served three tours in Korean during the North Sea mine barrage waters during the war. Collett partici­ sweep after . Lieutenant pated actively in the War from Bruce was killed on May 17, 1919, when her home port in Yokosuka, Japan. She a mine exploded close aboard. The performed a variety of combat missions North Sea mine barrage was the most in the Gulf of Tonkin, including search extensive mining operation in history and rescue for downed pilots, naval and was designed to close the German gunfire support against enemy gun em­ U-boat route to the Atlantic between the placements and other targets ashore, British Isles and Norway. The field in­ and the sinking of thirty-two North Viet­ cluded 70,000 mines in an area 230 namese waterborne logistics craft. She miles long and 15 to 25 miles wide. After was finally decommissioned on Decem­ the Armistice, a fleet of eighty-nine ber 18, 1970, after twenty-six years of ac­ accomplished the dan­ John Austin ColieH. Speciol Collections tive service. gerous and difficult task of lifting the and Archives Division, Nimitz Library, U.S. In June 1974 she was sold to Argen­ barrage by September 1919.3 Naval Academy tina for spares, but was commissioned USS Bruce was built by Bethlehem and European waters and was decom­ in the Argentine navy in 1977 as Piedra Steel Corporation, San Francisco, Cali­ missioned in Philadelphia on May I, Buena (D-79). She was with the Argen­ fornia. This ship was much smaller than 1930. On November 6, 1931, Bruce was tine General Belgrano when the destroyers of World War II, displac­ stricken from the navy list, scrapped, that ship was sunk by the British Royal ing 1,215 tons and armed with four 4­ and her salvage metal sold in August Navy submarine HMS Conqueror on May inch and one 3-inch gun and twelve 1932 in accordance with the 1930 Lon­ 2, 1982, during the Falkland Islands torpedo tubes. She was commissioned don Conference agreements on the War.7 on September 29, 1920, Lt. Comdr. G. N. limitation and reduction of naval The ship named for Hospital Appren­ Reeves, Jr., in command. When the ship armament.4 tice First Class Don Otis Woods of was launched on May 20, 1920, her USS Collett (DD-730), an Allen M Wymore is still in service, in the navy of sponsor was Mrs. Annie Bruce, Lieuten­ Sumner class destroyer, was launched the Republic of Mexico, fifty years after ant Bruce's widow. Her career was short on March 5, 1944, and commissioned she was commissioned in 1945. Don and fairly uneventful during the 1920s. on May 16, 1944.5 She was named for Lt. Otis Woods was born in Kearney in May

67 Nebraska History - SummerJFall1995

Don O. Woods. Nebraska History (April­ The Woods. Nebraska History (April-June 1944). 106 June 1944). 82 1922 and grew up in Wymore. He en­ 1946 and put in "mothballs: She was Japanese carrier Shoho and damaging listed in the U.S. Navy in June 1940 and purchased by the Republic of Mexico in the carrier Shokaku. After USS Lexington was eventually assigned to the First Ma­ December 1963 and commissioned was sunk during the Battle of the Coral rine Division. During the assault of Usumacinta (B-06). She remains on ac­ Sea, Lieutenant Hurst was based at !'lew Gavutu, , in August tive service in the Mexican navy.9 Zealand, and was killed in June 1942 1942, he died of wounds received while The destroyer escort USS Hurst (DE­ when his plane crashed near a Royal giving first aid to several wounded Ma­ 250), named for Lt. Edwin William Air Force Base.1O rines only twenty-five yards from Japa­ Hurst, USN, is also still in service in the USS Hurst was built at Brown Ship­ nese snipers. He was awarded the Silver Mexican navy. Lieutenant Hurst was building Company, Houston, , and Star Medal posthumously for conspicu­ born in Falls City in October 1910 and commissioned in August 1943. The ship ous gallantry and intrepid conduct un­ appointed at the U.S. Naval and her crew served for two years in the der fire. 8 Academy from South Dakota in 1928. Atlantic Ocean as escort, com­ USS Don O. Woods (APD-118) was He was graduated in June 1932 and af­ pleting thirteen escort voyages. USS laid down at Dravo Corporation, Pitts­ ter serving in ships Hurst joined the Pacific Fleet in 1945, burgh, Pennsylvania, in December 1943, was qualified as a naval aviator. In May cruising the Pacific island groups look­ as a destroyer escort and launched the 1941 he reported for duty with Torpedo ing for Japanese survivors after the war following February. The ship was reclas­ Squadron 2, on board the carrier USS was over. She was decommissioned on sified as a high speed transport (APD) in Lexington. He was awarded the Distin­ May 1, 1946, and joined the Reserve July 1944 and towed to Consolidated guished Flying Cross for heroic conduct Fleet. The ship was purchased by Shipbuilding, Orange, Texas, for conver­ in aerial combat after successful tor­ Mexico in October 1973 and commis­ sion. The conversion entailed enlarging pedo attacks against enemy shipping off sioned into the navy of the Republic of the deckhouse to provide accommoda­ . He was awarded the Navy Mexico as Commodore Manuel Azueta tions for about 160 troops and adding. Cross for extraordinary heroism and (A-06). She was assigned as a training vehicle/personnel (LCVP) courageous conduct as executive of­ ship with the Gulf Fleet Command and to land the troops. Her guns were re­ ficer of Torpedo Squadron 2 in the remains in service today. I I tained. The ship was commissioned on Battle of the in May 1942. In Thomas L. Kirkpatrick was born in May 28, 1945, and served in the Pacific this action, Lieutenant Hurst was di­ Cozad in July 1887 and was appointed Fleet until decommissioned in June rectly involved in the-sinking of the acting chaplain in the U.S. Navy in Feb­

68 Nebraska and Navy Ships

U.S. Navy Ships and Craft with Nebraska Names ruary 1918. He selVed afloat and ashore for more than twenty years, and re­ Ship . NamedFor ported to USS Arizona in September State of Nebraska 1940. He was promoted to the rank of Comhusker State (f-ACS-6) State Nickname captain in the Chaplain Corps July I, USS Nebraska (8B-14) State 1941, and died on December 7 inAri­ USS Nebraska (SSBN·739) State zona during the Japanese attack on . The ship named for him, USS Kirkpatrick (DER-318), a Native Nebraskans picket destroyer escort, was built at USS Bruce (D0-329) Lt. Frank Bruce, USN, Grand Island Consolidated Shipbuilding, Orange, USS Collett (D0-730) Lt. Comdr. John Austin Collett, USN, Omaha Texas, and commissioned in October USS Don O. Woods (APO-l18) Don Otis Woods, HAl, USN, Kearney 1943. She selVed on escort duty in the USS Hurst (DE-2S0) Lt. Edwin William Hurst, USN, Falls City Atlantic from January 1944 to May 1945, USS Kirkpatrick (DER-318) Capt. Thomas L. Kirkpatrick, Chaplain Corps, USN, Cozad and in the Pacific Fleet through Decem­ USS Kyne .(DE-744) Ens. Elden Francis Kyne, USN, Ringgold ber 1945. She was decommissioned in USS Marts (DE-174) Alvin Lee Marts, F2c, USN, Wilsonville February 1946 and put in the ReselVe USS McCandless (FF-I084) Cmdre. Byron McCandless, USN, Endicott Fleet. Kirkpatrick was commissioned for USS Parle (DE-708) Ens. John Joseph Parle, USNR, Omaha the second time in February 1952 during Red Cloud (YfM-268) Chief Red Cloud, Nebraska Territory the Korean War, and selVed as a radar USS Reynolds (DE-42) Ens. Dudley Louis Reynolds, USN, Blair picket ship in the North Atlantic as part USS Walter S. Brown (DE-2S8) Walter Scott Brown, AMM2, USN, North Loup of the Continental Air Defense Com­ mand until decommissioned again in June 1960. 12 Cities and Towns The heroism of Ens. Elden Francis USS Chadron (PC-S64) Chadron, Nebraska Kyne, USN, of Tryon, was honored in USS Concord (AF5-S) Concord, Nebraska, and fourteen other towns April 1944 with the christening of USS USS Grand Island (PF-14) Grand Island, Nebraska Kyne (DE-744), a destroyer escort. En­ USS Minden (pC-l 176) Minden, Nebraska sign Kyne was born in Ringgold, Ne­ USS Omaha (Screw Sloop) Omaha, Nebraska braska, in June 1910 and enlisted in the USS Omaha (CL-4) Omaha, Nebraska navy in February 1929. He was ap­ USS Omaha (SSN-692) Omaha, Nebraska pointed warrant officer machinist in Oshkosh (YfB·7S7) Oshkosh, Nebraska, and April 1942 and reported to USSAstoria, USS Oxford (APA-189) Oxford, Nebraska, and towns and counties in twenty-two other states a , the following August. USS Oxford (AGTR·I) Oxford, Nebraska, and towns and counties in He was commissioned in June twenty-two other states 1942. During the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942, off in the Counties Solomon Islands, Astoria was sunk by USS Banner (APA-60) Banner County, Nebraska Japanese gunfire and Ensign Kyne was USS Banner (AKL-2S)/(AGER·I) Banner County, Nebraska killed. 13 USS Clay (APA-39) Clay County, Nebraska, and counties in seventeen His namesake was built at Western other states Pipe and Steel Company, San Pedro, USS Custer (APA-40) Custer County, Nebraska, and counties in five other states California, and christened on August 15, USS Dawson (APA-79) Dawson County, Nebraska, and counties in five 1943. His widow, Mrs. Alma Kyne, was other states the sponsor, and Mrs. Nora Keeler of USS Deuel (APA-160) Deuel County, Nebraska, and South Dakota Tryon, Ensign Kyne's sister, was the ma­ USS Fillmore (APA-83) Fillmore County, Nebraska, and Minnesota tron of honor. Kyne was commissioned USS Gage (APA-168) Gage County, Nebraska on April 4, 1944, and saw intense action USS Gasper (AOA-170) Gosper County, Nebraska in the Pacific in World War II. She USS Knox (APA-46) Knox County, Nebraska, and counties in eight earned six battle stars, including the am­ other states phibious invasions of the Islands in September 1944, the invasion of Iwo Jima in February and March 1945, the

69 Nebraska History - SummerjFall1995

Okinawa invasion in April 1945 on u.s. Navy Ships and Craft with Nebraska Names continued screen and patrol duties, and the inva­ sion of Borneo the following June. 14 Ship Named For Kyne was decommissioned in June Counties 1946, and served as a reserve training USS Lancaster (AK-193) Lancaster County, Nebraska, and counties in ship from her home port in Fort three other states Schuyler, New York, from 1947 to 1950. USS Logan (APA-196) Logan County, Nebraska, and counties in eight The ship was recommissioned in No­ other states vember 1950 and served another ten USS Merrick (AKA-97) Merrick County, Nebraska years as a naval reserve . IS USS Marts (DE-174) was a destroyer USS Pierce (APA-SO) Pierce County, Nebraska, and counties in four escort named for Alvin Lee Marts, fire­ other states man second class, USN, who was born USS Sheridan (APA-Sl) Sheridan County, Nebraska, and counties in four other states in Wilsonville and soon moved with his USS Thurston (AP-77) Thurston County, Nebraska, and family to Colorado. He enlisted in the USS Wayne (APA-S4) Wayne County, Nebraska navy in July 1941 after graduating from USS Boone County (LST-389) Boone County, Nebraska, and counties in seven high school. 16 He served first in USS other states Yorktown (CV-5) and survived the sink­ USS Chase County (LST-389) Chase County, Nebraska, and Kansas ing of his ship at the . USS Dodge County (LST-722) Dodge County, Nebraska, and counties in three In August 1943 he was transferred to the other states cruiser USS (CA-32). Dur­ USS Douglas County (LST-73 1) Douglas County, Nebraska, and counties in eleven ing the Battle of Tassafaronga in the other states USS Garfield County (LST-784) Garfield County, Nebraska, and counties in five Solomon Islands on November 30, 1942, other states New Orleans was torpedoed in her port USS Grant County (LST-1174) Grant County, Nebraska, and counties in fourteen bow, and two ammunition magazines other states exploded. Fireman Marts was a member USS Hamilton County (LST-802) Hamilton County, Nebraska, and counties in nine of the forward repair party, and was se­ other states verely wounded. In spite of his injuries, USS Harlan County (LST-l196) Harlan County, Nebraska, and he carried an injured medical officer to USS Jefferson County (LST-845) Jefferson County, Nebraska, and counties in twenty­ four other states the midships dressing .station before USS Johnson County (LST-849) Johnson County, Nebraska, and counties in eleven collapsing and dying of his wounds. other states He was awarded the Navy Cross, USS Lincoln County (LST-898) Lincoln County, Nebraska, and counties in twenty­ posthumously. 17 three other states Fireman Second Class Marts was one USS Polk County (LST-1084) Polk County, Nebraska, and counties in eleven of the youngest heroes of World War II other states USS Saline County (LST-l1 0 I) Saline County, Nebraska, and counties in four to have a ship named for him, as he other states died scarcely past his nineteenth birth­ USS York County (LST-117S) York County, Nebraska, and counties in four day. His sister, Betty Marts of Delta, other states Colorado, was the ship's sponsor. USS Marts was laid down at Federal Ship­ Rivers yard, Newark, New Jersey, in April 1943, USS Calamus (AOG-2S) Calamus River, Nebraska launched in August, and commissioned USS Elkhorn (AOG-7) Elkhorn River, Nebraska in September, Lt. Carl M. Fellows com~ USS Niobrara (AO-72) Niobrara River, Nebraska manding. 18 She served during the war USS Platte (AO-72) Platte River, Nebraska on Atlantic convoy escort, and on patrol USS Platte (AO-I86) Platte River, Nebraska with USS Omaha in the South Atlantic. Republican River (LSMR-S23) Republican River, Nebraska, and Kansas Most of her service was off the Brazilian USS White River (LSMR-S36) White River in Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, coast, including antisubmarine warfare Colorado, , Vermont, and Washington hunter-killer groups. She was decommis­ sioned on March 20, 1945, at Natal, Bra­ zil, and immediately commissioned in the Brazilian navy as Bocaina (0-22). The latest surface combatant ship to

70 Nebraska and Navy Ships be named for a native Nebraskan was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous the frigate USS McCandless (FF-1084), gallantry. Gregory was hit by a Japanese honoring Cmdre. Byron McCandless, on April 8, 1945, but Com­ USN, of Endicott, and his son, Rear mander McCandless and his crew con­ Adm. Bruce McCandless, USN. The tained the damage. The ship was routed McCandless family represents a proud to San Diego, California, and was re­ U.S. Navy tradition, as Commodore paired under the supervision of Com­ McCandless and McCandless mander McCandless's father, Cmdre. were awarded the Navy Cross and Byron McCandless.21 Medal of Honor, respectively, for heroic USS McCandless was built by performance of duty. In addition, Bruce Avondale Shipyards and commissioned McCandless's son, Bruce, Jr., was a na­ at Boston in March 1972 as an "ocean val aviator who was selected as a NASA escort" (DE-1084). The type designation astronaut. 19 for this class of ships was changed to Byron McCandless was born in "frigate" (FF) in June 1975. McCandless Endicott on September 5, 1881, and sub­ served in the Atlantic Fleet and in Euro­ sequently moved to Colorado, where he pean waters. She was transferred from attended high school and the University the active fleet to the Naval Reserve of Colorado. He was graduated from the Force (NRF) on December 31,1991, and U.S. Naval Academy in January 1905. redesignated FFT-I084.22 The ship was His early duties were concentrated in finally decommissioned in May 1994. , and he served as aide to the USS Parle (DE-708) had the distinc­ chief of naval operations and the secre­ tion of being the last World War II de­ tary of the navy just prior to World War stroyer escort on active service. She was I. He commanded the destroyer USS Byron McCandless (above). Journal-Star named for Ens. John 1. Parle, USNR, of Caldwell from 1917 to 1920, and was Printing Company Omaha. Ensign Parle enlisted in the awarded the Navy Cross, the navy's navy in January 1942 and was commis­ highest award. for service against the Bruce McCandless (below). Journal-Star sioned ensign in January 1943. After am­ Germans in the Atlantic and in Euro­ Printing Company phibious training he was assigned to pean waters. Commodore McCandless LST-375. During the invasion of Sicily in was transferred to the retired list of the July 1943, a landing craft loaded with U.S. Navy on June 30, 1940, but re­ explosives was tied up alongside Parle's mained on active duty with the rank of LST when a smoke pot in the unoccu­ commodore through World War II. He pied boat accidentally ignited. Parle was awarded the Legion of Merit for his jumped into the boat and extinguished service as commandant, Naval Repair the fuse. The pot was still spurting Base, San Diego. and was cited for his flames, and he finally was able to throw "foresight, initiative, brilliant leadership it over the side into the water. Had the and steadfast devotion to duty."20 explosives in the boat ignited, the entire His son, Bruce, had an equally bril­ LST would have been destroyed and en­ liant record, and was awarded the emy troops on the shore would have Medal of Honor for taking command of been warned of the pending invasion. the heavy cruiser San Francisco in the Ensign Parle died one week later Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942 from smoke and fumes he inhaled. He after all the senior officers and the em­ was awarded the Medal of Honor, post­ barked admiral had been killed. He not humously. The award citation simply only commanded the ship, but directed stated, "His heroic self-sacrifice pre­ the operations of the task force although vented grave danger to the ship and per­ severely wounded. In April 1945 Com­ sonnel and insured the security of a vi­ mander McCandless commanded the tal mission. He gallantly gave his life in destroyer Gregory during the invasion of the service of his country."23 Okinawa in April 1945. His ship shot His namesake, USS Parle, was laid down six enemy aircraft, and he was down at Defoe Shipbuilding Company,

71 Nebraska History - SummerJFall1995

John J. Parle. Omaha World-Herald Mr. and Mrs. Harry Parle at their son's funeral in Omaha in June 1948. John Savage Collection. Western Heritage Museum

Bay City, Michigan, in January 1944, USS Reynolds (DE-42) was a World was assigned to Patrol Squadron 24 at launched in March, and commissioned War II destroyer escort, named for Ens. Kaneohe Bay, maintaining Catalina sea· in July, Lt. Comdr. James C. Toft, Jr., Dudley Louis Reynolds of Blair. Ensign planes, when Japanese carrier aircraft USNR, commanding. She served in the Reynolds enlisted in the navy in 1928, attacked the base. He took prompt and Atlantic Fleet as a convoy escort in was warranted machinist in 1938, and efficient action in participating in the 1944, and with the Seventh Fleet in the commissioned ensign in July 1942. He defense of the base, disregarding his Pacific during the invasions of the Phil­ was killed in the cruiser USS Pensacola own life. Brown was commended for ippines, New Guinea, Okinawa, and during the Battle of Tassafaronga in the selfless bravery by his commanding of­ . The ship was decommissioned in Solomon Islands on November 30, 1942. ficer. Walter S. Brown was born in July 1946, and recommissioned in Reynolds was laid down by the Puget March 1916 and enlisted in the navy in March 1951 for the Korean War. She Sound Naval Shipyard in January 1943, January 1940. served in the Atlantic Fleet through launched in August when she was chris­ The destroyer escort USS Walter S. 1958, and was assigned as a naval re­ tened by Ensign Reynolds's widow, and Brown (DE-258) was built at the Boston serve training ship in the Fifth Naval Dis­ commissioned on November I, Lt. Comdr. Navy Yard in 1943. She took less than trict on January 1, 1959. In June 1959. Edward P. Adams commanding.25 six months to build from the laying of Parle was honored with a visit by Mr. Reynolds earned eight battle stars in the to commissioning in June. The and Mrs. Harry V. Parle, Ens. John the Pacific as an escort for carrier task ship served in the Atlantic Fleet as a Parle's parents. The Paries had never groups. In July 1944 she assisted another convoy escort, and survived heavy air been on the ship before, although Mrs. destroyer escort in sinking the Japanese attacks near the Straits of Gibralter in Parle sponsored and christened her.24 submarine I-55. She was decommis­ May 1944 while defending Convoy UGS Parle was finally decommissioned in sioned on December 5, 1945.26 40. No allied losses resulted from the er July 1962 and reverted to inactive status Walter S. Brown of North Loup was gagement, during which the ship took as a reserve training ship in Chicago un­ an aircraft machinist mate second class six enemy planes under fire in a seven­ til July 1970. She was stricken from the who was killed in action when the Japa­ minute period. The escort commander navy list and used as a target the follow­ nese attacked the Hawaiian Islands on praised Walter S. Brown's performance, ing October. December 7, 1941. Petty Officer Brown saying in his report that "her perfor­

72 Nebraska and Navy Ships mance, when coordinated with the United States Navy for more than a cen­ tory Section, "History of USS Hurst (DE 250),' Aug. other forces present, broke up the tury. Four ships with Nebraska names 27, 1959. enemy's attack, disrupted his plans, and are currently active in the fleet today. In II Dictionary, llI, 400; Norman Friedman, U.S. De­ resulted in no allied losses; whereas the addition to these fine ships, Nebraska's stroyers: An lIIustrated Design History (Annapolis, enemy suffered a heavy loss of planes." sons and daughters serve in the fleet Md.: U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1982), 463. Walter S. Brown was decommissioned with pride and distinction. This short ac­ 12 Dictionary,llI, 657. in October 1945 and sold for scrap three count recognizes their service to the na­ 13 Ibid., 679. 27 years later. tion, and the dedication and sacrifice of 14 The Tryon Graphic, Aug. 26, 1943; Dictionary, The medium harbor tug Red Cloud those who have gone before them. 1lI,679-80.

(YTM-268), named for the Oglala Sioux 15 Friedman, U.s. Destroyers, 472. Notes Chief Red Cloud, was one of two service 16 Wilsonville Review, Jan. 28, 1943. craft with names of Nebraska origin, the I u.s. Naval History Division, Dictionary ofAmeri­ 17 Ibid., May 6, 1943. other being the large harbor tug can Naval Fighting Ships, V (Washington: Navy 18 Ibid., Aug. 12, 1943; Dictionary, IV, 254-55. Oshkosh (YTB-757). Red Cloud was Dept., 1970), 153. 19 Sunday loumal-Star (Lincoln), Mar. 19, 1992, born about 1822 in what became Ne­ 2 Keith Frazier Somerville and Harriatte W. B. Section IB, 2. braska Territory and died at Pine Ridge, Smith, Ships ofthe United States Navy and Their South Dakota, on December 10,1909. Sponsors, 1950-1958 (Annapolis, Md.: The United 2D Naval Historical Center, biography, "Commo­ He was a great Sioux war leader, who States Naval Institute Press, 1959), xix-xx. dore Byron McCandless, United States Navy," Nov. 24, 1947. reached the height of his powers from 3 E. B. Potter, ed., The United States and World 1866 to 1868 in successfully stopping Sea Power (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 21 Naval Historical Center (OP-09B9), Ship His­ Inc., 1955),558,560. tory Section, "History of USS McCandless' (DE­ completion of the Bozeman Road from 1084), Sept. 8, 1970. Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory, to the 4 Dictionary, I, 165; Department of the Navy, Na­ val Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, 22 Sharp, lane's Fighting Ships, 1988-89,734; U.S. gold mines in Montana. Red Cloud did Washington, D.C. (hereafter cited as Naval Histori­ Naval Institute Proceedings, Annapolis, Md., June not participate actively in the Sioux War cal Center), file copy on USS Bruce, no date. 1992,97. of 1876 nor in the Ghost Dance of 1890­ 5 Dictionary, II, 142-43. 23 Nebraska History 25 (January-March, 1944): 91. He was a delegate to Washington, 11-12. 6 Kristen Vickerman, Records Department, U.S. Red D.C., on several occasions. The tug Naval Academy Alumni Association to author, 24 Dictionary, V, 216; Commanding Officer, USS Cloud was built by Birchfield Boiler, May 31, 1994. Parle (DE-708), letter 2000, ser. 191 of Apr. 3, 1962; subj: current ship's history and photograph, sub­ Inc., of Tacoma, Washington, and 7 Secretary of State for Defense, The Falklands mission of. served the navy for over forty years from Campaign: The Lessons (London: Her Majesty's 1943 to the mid-1980s.28 Stationary Office, Cmnd. 8758, Dec. 1982), 7. 25 Dictionary, VI, 88-89.

Although the state of Nebraska has 8 Murlin Spencer, "Nebraskans Everywhere," Ne­ " Friedman, U.s. Destroyers, 457. no maritime traditions except a long list braska History 25 (April-June, 1944): 106-7. 27 Naval Historical Center, Ship History Section, of honorific admirals of the Great Navy 9 Dictionary, II, 287; Richard Sharp, ed., lane's summary for Walter S. Brown, June 2, 1950; Dictio­ of the State of Nebraska, people from Fighting Ships, 1994-95 (Coulsdon, Surrey. U.K.: nary, VIII, 79-80.. Jane's Information Group, Ltd., 1994),426. the state and ships with Nebraska ,.. James C. Olson, History ofNebraska (Lincoln,: names have served with honor in the 10 Naval Historical Center (OP 09B9), Ship His­ University of Nebraska Press, 1966), 137-40; Dictio­ nary. VI, 50. ­

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