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Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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  (0637001) |
75k | John L. Williamson was born on 05 November 1921 in Ash, N.C., and enlisted in the Navy at Raleigh 11 July 1940. After recruit training, he was assigned to the cruiser
San Francisco. Williamson was on board the fighting cruiser during the 07 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the initial American amphibious assault of the war on
Guadalcanal. He also took part in the American victory at the night Battle of Cape Esperance in October. On 12 November 1942, one of the many Japanese attempts to bombard American positions
in the Solomons and to reinforce their own garrisons there, resulted another great battle, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Before the main engagement, San Francisco (CA 38)
and other ships were attacked by torpedo bombers off Guadalcanal. Williamson, an anti-aircraft gunner fired at an approaching torpedo plane, remaining at his station with cool determination
as the enemy aircraft crashed directly at his gun mount. For his great courage in the face of this attack, Seaman First Class Williamson was awarded the Navy cross posthumously. USS John L. Williamson (DE 370) (1944-1946) was the first ship to be named in his honor. (Photo from the USS John L. Williamson Facebook Page (see link below) |
Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Navsource DE/FF/LCS Archive Manager | |
 (0637002) |
69k | 29 August 1944: Orange, Tex. - The sponsor and her party at the christening of USS John L. Williamson (DE 370) (National Archives photo #80-G-268400) |
Nick Tiberio Shelton, Conn. | |
 (0637003) |
49k | 29 August 1944: Orange, Tex. - Mrs. Sherman Register, sister of Seaman 1st Class Williamson, was the ship's sponsor. (National Archives photo #80-G-268401) | ||
 (0637004) |
65k | Tuesday, 29 August 1944: Orange, Tex. - The moment of christening. (National Archives photo #80-G-268399) | ||
 (0637005) |
51k | 29 August 1944: Orange, Tex. - John L. Williamson first touches water. (National Archives photo #80-G-268398) | ||
 (0637009) |
190k | My father, Richard Secord, was in the crew of John L. Williamson (DE 370) during World War II. I was looking through some of my fathers old pictures the other day and found one of him and the ships' mascot “Dugan”. From what I understand the ships' newspaper was called the “Dugan” also. Dad spoke often of his old shipmates and he remembered them until his passing. I don’t know their names here, but I am sure some of the names I remember go with these young fellows. As pictured, my father is holding "Dugan" on his left. I am also enclosing an article about “Dugan” that was in the paper when he died. "Dugan" lived a very comfortable life with my Great Grand Parents in Nebraska City, Nebraska and was given a dignified funeral when he passed. Dad started something with “Dugan”. There have been Bostons in our family for six generations. My Granddaughter just got a puppy (a Boston of course) and for sure he looks just like “Dugan”. | Robert D. Secord Nebraska City, Nebr. | |
 (0637006) |
67k | 15 March 1946: San Francisco Bay | Nick Tiberio Shelton, Conn. | |
 (0637007) |
56k | circa 1946: location unknown | ||
 (0637008) |
540k | October 1969: Vallejo, Cal. - Stern view of USS Paul Hamilton (DD 590) at Reserve Fleet at Mare Island in October 1969. USS
Desplaines River (LFR 412) is outboard of Hamilton and the bow of USS John L. Williamson (DE 370) is visible aft of Hamilton's
after stack. (U.S. Navy photo #94133-10-69) |
Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum | |
| John L. Williamson History |
| View the USS John L. Williamson (DE 370) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site. |
| View the official War History of USS John L. Williamson as submitted by the ship at war's end. |
| John L. Williamson's Commanding Officers Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler |
| Dates of Command | Commanding Officers |
|---|---|
| 1.) 31 Oct. 1944 – 19 Nov. 1945 | Lcdr. John Edward Allen, USNR (Comm. CO) (Essex, Conn.) |
| 2.) 19 Nov. 1945 – 14 Jun. 1946 | Lcdr. Claude B. Shaw, USN (Decomm. CO) (Memphis, Tenn.) |
Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has
been made to list the newest contact. However, our entry
is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list
only a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists, rosters, or deck logs
available. Please see the
Frequently Asked Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.
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This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved. Page Last Updated: 23 May 2020 |
