Destroyer Squadron 23 Destroyer Squadron 23 ( DESRON 23 ) is a squadron of United States Navy destroyer s and frigate s based out of San Diego , California . The squadron is best known for its actions during World War II , most notably the Battle of Cape St . George , under the command of then - Commodore Arleigh Burke . Currently , the DESRON is assigned to Carrier Strike Group Eleven , which includes , and Carrier Air Wing Eleven . History . Destroyer Squadron 23 was activated May 11 , 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard , with Captain M . J . Gilliam in command . The original vessels of the squadron were , , , , , , and . On June 29 , 1943 , Destroyer Squadron 23 became part of Admiral William F . Halsey ' s Third Fleet . Less USS " Aulick " , Destroyer Squadron 23 assumed duty on patrol and escort in the Southwest Pacific . Destroyer Squadron 23 earned its reputation — and a Presidential Unit Citation — under its second commodore , Captain Arleigh Burke , who assumed command on October 23 , 1943 . On November 24 , 1943 , during the Battle of Cape St . George , the squadron engaged two enemy destroyers and three destroyer transports . In what has been described by tacticians as " near perfect surface actions " , the squadron sank three enemy destroyers , and damaged one , without damage to themselves . In the period November 1943 - February 1944 , the Little Beavers fought in 22 separate engagements and were credited with destroying one Japanese cruiser , nine destroyer s , one submarine , several smaller ships , and approximately 30 aircraft . Destroyer Squadron 23 ' s operations in the Pacific continued through the Liberation of the Philippines . The squadron returned to the United States on October 19 , 1945 and were presented the Presidential Unit Citation by Admiral Burke and Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal . Presidential Unit Citation : In February 1946 , the squadron was inactivated and the ships were sent to Charleston , South Carolina for lay - up . On April 4 , 1956 , the squadron was reactivated as Destroyer Division 231 under the command of Captain E . K . Wakefield , with , , , and . The squadron was rededicated as the " Little Beavers " on December 12 , 1956 by Rear Admiral Chester Wood , Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force , U . S . Pacific Fleet in ceremonies at Long Beach , California . Today the squadron comprises : It is part of Carrier Strike Group Eleven . Mascot . The mascot of Destroyer Squadron 23 is Little Beaver , a character made famous by Fred Harmon ' s Red Ryder cartoon strip . This cartoon was very popular during the squadron ' s operations in World War II . Due to the high tempo of operations during the squadron ' s operations in the South Pacific , the ships ' crews often said they were busy as beavers . This sentiment led to an illustrated painting by a crewman named James Bowler on the side of one of USS " Claxton ' s " torpedo tubes . The painting depicted Little Beaver shooting an arrow at Japan ' s Prime Minister Tōjō . During an inspection of USS " Claxton " , then - Commodore Arleigh Burke observed the painting . He liked it so much that he adopted the logo ( minus Tojo ) for use by the entire squadron and it remains in use to this day . Commodores . Commodores of the Little Beavers over the years :