USS Hopkins ( DD - 249 ) USS " Hopkins " ( DD - 249 / DMS - 13 ) was a " Clemson " - class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II . She was the third ship named USS " Hopkins " and the second named for Esek Hopkins . " Hopkins " was launched 26 June 1920 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation ; sponsored by Miss Sarah Babbitt , a descendant of Esek Hopkins ; and commissioned 21 March 1921 at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Lieutenant Commander C . A . Bailey commanding . Service history . After shakedown " Hopkins " arrived at Newport , Rhode Island , 31 May for battle practice training during the summer . In November , she was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 for tactical training with the Atlantic Fleet along the East Coast . " Hopkins " sailed from Hampton Roads 2 October 1922 , and reached Constantinople 22 October for duty in Turkish waters . She protected American interests and cooperated with the relief mission in the Near East , ranging to Beirut , Jaffa , and Smyrna . She departed Constantinople 18 May 1923 for New York , arriving 12 June . For the next 7 years , " Hopkins " operated out of New England ports in the summer , Charleston , South Carolina , in the winter , and the Caribbean Sea in the spring . During the spring of 1930 , " Hopkins " participated in force battle practice with aircraft . On 3 February 1932 , " Hopkins " was one of the two naval ships rendering medical aid to earthquake victims at Santiago , Cuba . She departed 5 February to join the Pacific Fleet at San Diego , California . She had escort duty for President Franklin D . Roosevelt ' s cruise to Canada in July 1936 , then resumed training along the Western Seaboard . " Hopkins " returned to Norfolk , Virginia in April 1939 , and performed Neutrality Patrol from September 1939 until sailing for San Diego 37 May , and from there to Pearl Harbor . She converted to a high - speed minesweeper ( DMS - 13 ) in the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard . World War II . When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor , " Hopkins " was at Johnston Island for war maneuvers , but immediately headed back to Hawaii . She continued patrol of the Hawaiian Sea Frontier , with a short break for overhaul in the States , until late summer 1942 , when she joined the invasion fleet bound for Guadalcanal . As America ' s first offensive of the Pacific war began 7 August , " Hopkins " swept the transport area and covered the landings on Tulagi . During a heavy enemy air attack 9 August , she shot down two enemy planes , and in the following months , " Hopkins " escorted transports , swept mines , and carried badly needed supplies to Guadalcanal . " Hopkins " served as flagship for Admiral Richmond K . " Kelly " Turner as the Russell Islands were invaded 21 February 1943 . During the action , she shot down a Japanese plane . Remaining in the southwest Pacific , she joined in the initial invasion of Rice Anchorage , New Georgia , 4 July , and of Bougainville 1 November . Convoy escort , antisubmarine patrol , and sweeping duties kept the destroyer busy until the Solomon Islands were secured . As the Navy moved farther across the Pacific in the island - hopping campaign , " Hopkins " arrived off Saipan 13 June 1944 to sweep the invasion approaches . She provided screen and fire support for the amphibious landings of 15 June 1944 . She picked up 62 prisoners from sunken Japanese ships as well as rescuing a downed fighter pilot and a seaplane crew . A brief rest at Eniwetok was followed by a role in the capture of Guam . " Hopkins " reached that important Marianas island 14 July to participate in the preinvasion sweeping and bombardment . She also gave fire - support to the landings 16 July . Following overhaul at San Francisco , CA , " Hopkins " arrived in Leyte Gulf 27 December 1944 to prepare for the Lingayen landings . The minesweepers sailed 2 January 1945 to sweep Lingayen Gulf under attack from Japanese dive bombers and " kamikaze s " . When her sister ship was hit and sank in 13 minutes the morning of 7 January , " Hopkins " rescued 94 survivors . " Hopkins " departed the Philippines 15 January 1945 for a brief rest at Eniwetok , then swept the transport areas and channels off Iwo Jima to prepare for invasion 19 February 1945 . She remained on patrol off Iwo Jima , emerging from heavy air and shore fire unscathed . Departing Iwo Jima 6 March , " Hopkins " next headed into battle off Okinawa , the " last stepping stone to Japan . " While fighting off the constant raids and suicide attacks she shot down several Japanese planes . On 4 May 1945 she was struck a glancing blow by a burning " kamikaze " just before it plunged into the sea . There was one casualty during this attack . Coxswain Morris Dee Garrett was the only casualty on that day and was the only casualty from the USS Hopkins during World War II . On 7 June 1945 , " Hopkins " steamed for overhaul at Leyte , Philippine Islands where she remained until cessation of hostilities . " Hopkins " then rendezvoused with units of the 3rd Fleet headed for Tokyo Bay . After two days of sweeping the entrances to Tokyo Bay , " Hopkins " anchored in sight of Mount Fuji 30 August 1945 . " Hopkins " rode out two typhoons with winds raging to 125 knots before her departure from Tokyo Bay 10 October 1945 for the Eastern Seaboard of the United States . " Hopkins " arrived in Norfolk 28 November and decommissioned there 21 December 1945 . She was sold for scrapping 8 November 1946 to Heglo Sales Corporation , Hillsdale , New Jersey . Awards . " Hopkins " was awarded two Navy Unit Commendation s for heroism off Guadalcanal and in Lingayen Gulf . She also received 10 battle star s for her service in World War II . " Hopkins " is the most decorated member of the Clemson - class destroyers .