William D. Leahy
In between the routine neutrality patrol assignments and training, "Upshur" was called upon to perform a special escort mission. On 23 December 1940, the heavy cruiser "Tuscaloosa" departed Norfolk with William D. Leahy, Ambassador to Vichy France, and his wife, embarked, bound for Lisbon, Portugal. "Upshur" and escorted the heavy cruiser, until they were detached on Christmas Day to return to Norfolk while the cruiser proceeded on, unescorted, on her diplomatic mission.