Recommision

The Recommissioning

of the

U.S.S. Stoddard

DD - 566

Charleston Naval Shipyard

March 9, 1954

U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566)

The U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566) is a 2050-ton destroyer of the Fletcher class built by the Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma Division, Seattle Washington: her keel being laid 10 March 1943.

The U.S.S. STODDARD was named in honor of James Stoddard, as seaman aboard the U.S.S. MAMORA, who performed distinguished combat service during the Civil War. The U.S.S. STODDARD was launched 19 November 1943 and first commissioned 15 April 1944 at which time Mrs. Mildred Gould Holcomb, wife of Captain Harold R. Holcomb, USN, served as the official sponsor. During World War II the U.S.S. STODDARD earned three engagement stars on the Asiatic Pacific Area service ribbon for her part in the Kurile Islands operation, the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto and Third fleet operations against the Empire Islands of Japan. She also earned the Navy Occupation Service Medal, Pacific for her operations during the period of September 2 to November 19, 1945. She was placed out of commission, in reserve by directive dated January 1947.

The present activation of the U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566) has been under the direction of Commander Charleston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

Program for Recommissioning

OF THE

U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566)

Crew of the U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566) assembles aft.

Commander Charleston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, and Commander Sub Group TWO arrive on board the U.S.S. STODDARD and, after a brief inspection tour of the ship, proceed aft for the ceremony.

Commander Charleston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, and Commander Sub Group TWO are presented by the U.S.S. STODDARD Commanding Officer. Commander Sub Group TWO, Charleston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, addresses ship's company and guests.

Commander Charleston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, reads his orders and places the U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566) in commission.

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566) reads his orders and assumes command.

The watch is set on the U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566).

Chaplain offers Commissioning Prayer.

FINI

COMMANDING OFFICER

The Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566) is Commander Eli T. Reich, U.S. Navy. Commander Reich entered the Naval Academy from New York in 1931, graduating with the class of 1935. During World War II the major part of Commander Reich's service was in submarines. He was Executive Officer of the U.S.S. STINGRAY during 1942, Executive Officer of the U.S.S. LAPON during 1943 and in 1944 was in command of the submarine U.S.S. SEA LION. Among the awards Commander Reich has received for distinguished service are the Army citation for service in the Bataan Corregidor area in 1941-42, the Navy Cross with two stars while in command of the SEA LION and the Legion of Merit while serving as Staff Officer for ComSubPac. The U.S.S. SEA LION was awarded the Presidential Unit citation while under the command of Commander Reich. During the latter part of World War II, he was Commanding Officer of the destroyer U.S.S. COMPTON. Just prior to reporting as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. STODDARD, Commander Reich was a member of the Staff of ComSubPac.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Lieutenant Commander E. Bruce Carson, U.S. Navy is Executive Officer of the U.S.S. STODDARD (DD-566). He entered the U.S. Naval Academy from Chicago, Illinois, in 1931. In 1934, upon completion of his third year at the Naval Academy, Lieutenant Commander Carson resigned and transferred to the University of Pennsylvania from which school he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees. He then attended the University of Illinois from where he received his Doctor of Science degree. He was on inactive duty until World War II. During the war he served in destroyers as Assistant Engineer Officer of the U.S.S. CHARLES AUSBURNE, U.S.S. HAGGARD and U.S.S. JOHNSTON. In 1945 he was Executive Officer and later assumed command of the U.S.S. SHAW. Lieutenant Commander Carson was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heard for combat duty in Destroyer Squadron Forty-four and wears the Presidential Unit citation for combat duty with Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Three.

ROSTER OF OFFICERS

CDR E.T. REICH Commanding Officer

LCDR E.B. CARSON Executive Officer

LT N.A. ADAMS, JR. Operations Office

LT R.M. BREY, JR. Engineer Officer

LT B.D. DORNBLASER Gunnery Officer

LTJG R.C. CLINE First Lieutenant

LTJG P.D. MARE Assistant First Lieutenant

LTJG R.M. SOUTHWORTH Communications Officer

LTJG W.M. GROGAN Electronics Officer

LTJG J.T. MARVELL Damage Control Assistant

LTJG R.D. MERING, JR. ASW Officer

LTJG R.R. CLEMENT CIC Officer

LTJG J.E. McKENNA Supply Officer