Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
No Photo Available	-	Stephen Potter, born in Saginaw, Mich., on 26 December 1896, was a member of the second Yale University unit which left college in April 1917 to enter naval aviation. He trained with Volunteer Aerial Coast Patrol Unit No. 2 at Buffalo, N.Y., and was commissioned ensign on 2 November. Ensign Potter volunteered to go overseas immediately and was assigned to the Advanced School at Montchic, Gironde, France. He was later assigned to the British Royal Naval Air Station at Felixstowe, England. Ensign Potter, as second pilot to a British captain on North Sea service, won the distinction of being- the first American naval aviator to shoot down a German seaplane. He flew from the North Sea Station on 25 April 1918 in company with another plane. They were approximately six miles from North Hinder Light when they spotted two German planes heading toward them. Five other enemy planes joined them, and they all attacked the two British aircraft. Ensign Potter was shot down and perished in his plane.		Bill Gonyo
	82k	Artist's conception of the Potter as she appeared after original construction by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.		Navy Yard Associates
	66k	Undated, location unknown.		Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
	132k	Undated, location unknown.		Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
	57k	Photo #: NH 102897, USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa the latter part of 1943. This photograph has been crudely retouched by wartime censors to remove radar antennas atop her foremast and Mark 37 gun director. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.		Tony Cowart
	103k	Photo #: NH 102898, USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) underway in the central Pacific, 2 May 1944, while participating in raids on Japanese bases. Other warships, among them an Iowa class battleship and an Essex class aircraft carrier, are in the distance. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.		Tony Cowart
	71k	Mare Island, CA, August 31 1944.		Pieter Bakels
	131k	Photo 80-G-470275, Third Fleet warships en route to the Philippines, circa January 1945. USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) is in the right center, closest to the camera. Aircraft carrier at left is USS Enterprise (CV-6). Photographed from USS New Jersey (BB-62) by Lieutenant Commander Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.		Fabio Peña
	148k	Third Fleet warships en route to the Philippines, circa January 1945. USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) is partially visible in the left foreground. Aircraft carrier at right is USS Enterprise (CV-6). The light cruiser wearing design 24D camouflage (in the left distance) is probably USS Pasadena (CL-65). Photographed from USS New Jersey (BB-62) by Lieutenant Commander Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Library. Photo # 80-G-470282.		Robert Hurst
	95k	Photo #: NH 102899, USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 26 August 1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.		Tony Cowart
	78k	Photo #: NH 102900, USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 26 August 1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.		Tony Cowart
	105k	Photo #: NH 102901, USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 26 August 1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.		Tony Cowart
	129k	Navy Photo 6304-45, amidships looking aft plan view of USS Stephen Potter (DD 538) at Mare Island on 31 Aug 1945. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 9 July to 2 Sep 1945. Ships in the background are from left to right: USS Miller (DD 535), USS Owen (DD 536) and USS Ellet (DD 398).		Tony Cowart
	156k	Navy Photo 6305-45, amidships looking forward plan view of USS Stephen Potter (DD 538) at Mare Island on 31 Aug 1945.		Tony Cowart
	117k	Location unknown, circa 1950s.		Marc Piché
	72k	Circa early 1950s.		Marc Piché
	269k	Two views of the USS Potter (DD-538) escorting the Hewell out of Wonson on July 31 1953 and transporting ROK Troops.		Willard Adams
	269k	As above.		Willard Adams
	184k	Ships patch.		Tony Cowart

CDR Charles Helmick Crichton    Oct 21 1943 - May 21 1944 (Later RADM)
CDR Leonidas Walthall Pancoast    May 21 1944 - Dec 28 1944 (Later RADM)
CDR George Read Muse    Dec 28 1944 - Sep 21 1945 (Later RADM)
(Decommissioned Sep 21 1945 - Mar 24 1951)
CDR James Hervey Batcheller Jr.    Mar 24 1951 - Jun 14 1952
CDR Jack Willard Hammer    Jun 14 1952 - Dec 23 1952
CDR Thomas Roderick Eddy    Dec 23 1952 - Dec 31 1954
CDR Neal Almgren    Dec 31 1954 - Aug 10 1956
CDR Eldon Leo Edwards    Aug 10 1956 - Jun 13 1958