USS Bennion (DD-662)

USS Bennion (DD-662)
Ship name	USS Bennion (DD-662)
Ship namesake	Merton J. Bennion
Builder	Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company
Laid down	26 November 1942
Launched	2 May 1943
Commissioned	15 July 1943
Decommissioned	30 June 1970
Fate	Struck 15 November 1972; scrapped 1973
Class	Fletcher-class destroyer
Displacement	2,050 long tons (standard)
Length	376 ft 6 in
Beam	39 ft 8 in
Draft	17 ft 9 in
Propulsion	60,000 shp; 2 propellers; General Electric turbines
Speed	35 knots
Complement	~273 officers and enlisted
Armament	5 × 5 in/38 cal guns; 10 × 40 mm AA; 7 × 20 mm AA; 10 × 21 in torpedo tubes; depth charge projectors

USS Bennion (DD-662) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy commissioned in 1943 and named for Merton J. Bennion, a United States Naval Academy graduate and World War I veteran. She served extensively in the Pacific War during World War II, participated in multiple carrier task force operations, and continued active duty through the early years of the Cold War before decommissioning in 1970. Bennion earned several commendations for combat action and anti-aircraft defense, and later entered reserve before being struck and scrapped.

Construction and commissioning

Laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company at Kearny, New Jersey on 26 November 1942, Bennion was launched on 2 May 1943 with sponsorship by family of Merton J. Bennion. Commissioned on 15 July 1943, she completed fitting out and shakedown training off Casco Bay, Maine and in the Caribbean Sea before transiting to the Pacific Ocean to join the Pacific Fleet. Early workups involved exercises with elements of Destroyer Squadron 53 and screening trials with Carrier Division 12.

Design and specifications

As a Fletcher-class destroyer, Bennion followed the standard Fletcher design produced by yards including Bath Iron Works and William Cramp & Sons. She displaced about 2,050 long tons (standard) with an overall length of 376 ft 6 in and a beam of 39 ft 8 in. Propulsion consisted of geared steam turbines delivering roughly 60,000 shp for a designed speed of 35 knots, similar to contemporaries such as USS Fletcher (DD-445) and USS Radford (DD-446). Armament comprised five 5 in/38 caliber dual-purpose guns, ten 21 in torpedo tubes in quintuple mounts, and layered anti-aircraft batteries of 40 mm and 20 mm guns for defense against Japanese Air Service aircraft like the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and Kawanishi N1K. Sensors included surface search and fire-control radars comparable to Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System installations on other United States Navy destroyers. Crew accommodations and damage-control arrangements mirrored wartime Fletcher standards used in operations from Guadalcanal to Okinawa.

World War II service

After joining Task Force 58 and screening Fast Carrier Task Force carrier groups, Bennion participated in operations supporting the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign and provided anti-aircraft and anti-submarine screening during strikes on Truk and the Marianas campaign. She screened carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and escorted carriers during raids on the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima. Bennion performed plane guard duties for USS Enterprise (CV-6), conducted shore bombardment in support of amphibious landings at locations such as Saipan and Tinian, and engaged in convoy escort between Ulithi and forward anchorage areas. During the Leyte Gulf operations and subsequent Philippine campaign (1944–45), Bennion helped repel air attacks, assisted in rescue and salvage of downed aircrews, and participated in anti-shipping sweeps against remnants of the Imperial Japanese Navy. In 1945 she supported carrier air strikes on the Ryukyu Islands and provided picket and radar picket services during the Battle of Okinawa, facing kamikaze threats and aiding in screening for carriers such as USS Yorktown (CV-10).

Post-war operations and Cold War service

Following Japan’s surrender in August 1945, Bennion took part in occupation duties, escorting transports and showing presence in ports including Tokyo Bay and Okinawa. Through the late 1940s and 1950s she alternated deployments between the Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet components, making cruises to the Mediterranean Sea under United States Sixth Fleet tasking and participating in NATO exercises alongside units from Royal Navy, French Navy, and Royal Netherlands Navy. During the early Cold War she supported United Nations-related operations and conducted training with carrier groups including USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Upgrades during overhauls incorporated improved electronics inspired by developments from Naval Research Laboratory programs and updated anti-aircraft weaponry reflecting lessons from Korean War naval actions, while participating in fleet exercises such as Operation Mainbrace and Operation Springboard.

Decommissioning and fate

After continued service into the 1960s with periodic deployments to the Western Pacific and Caribbean Sea, Bennion was decommissioned and placed in reserve on 30 June 1970 and berthed with the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard reserve fleet. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 15 November 1972 and sold for scrap in 1973, concluding a service life that spanned key World War II engagements and Cold War maritime operations.

Honors and legacy

Bennion received multiple battle stars for World War II service, reflecting participation in campaigns recognized by the United States Navy and Department of the Navy awards. Her namesake, Merton J. Bennion, is commemorated through the ship’s wartime record preserved in archives such as the Naval History and Heritage Command and ship logs held by institutions including the National Archives and Records Administration. Artifacts, photographs, and crew accounts have been cited in histories of Fletcher-class destroyers, studies of the Pacific Theater (World War II), and veteran collections associated with reunions of Destroyer Veterans and naval historical societies. She remains listed in naval registries and is remembered alongside other Fletcher-class ships like USS O'Bannon (DD-450) and USS Nicholas (DD-449) for contributions to carrier task force operations and anti-aircraft defense during pivotal naval campaigns.

Category:Fletcher-class destroyers Category:World War II destroyers of the United States Category:Ships built in Kearny, New Jersey Category:1943 ships