USS Bennion
USS "Bennion" (DD-662) was a "Fletcher"-class destroyer of the United States Navy. The ship was named for Captain Mervyn S. Bennion who was killed in action during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, while in command of . Captain Bennion was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. "Bennion" was launched 4 July 1943 by Boston Navy Yard, sponsored by Captain Bennion's widow. It was commissioned 14 December 1943 with Commander Joshua W. Cooper in command. Service history. On 5 January 1945, "Bennion" encountered two Japanese "Matsu" class destroyers, "Hinoki" and "Momi", both returning to China after the aircraft  carrier was torpedoed and sunk by . Other US destroyers joined in the short fight, and both Japanese destroyers turned away, only for "Momi" to be caught, torpedoed and sunk by TBM Avengers of Task Force 77 shortly afterwards. "Hinoki" was later caught and sunk with all hands by gunfire of and three other destroyers. "Bennion" departed Philadelphia, Pa. 3 March 1944 escorting the light aircraft carrier to the Pacific. Arriving at Pearl Harbor 22 March, she trained and patrolled in Hawaiian waters until 29 May 1944. Moving westward she served as a fighter director and radar picket ship during the  following campaigns: During the Battle of Surigao Strait, in October 1944, "Bennion" assisted in sinking the Japanese battleship "Yamashiro" with torpedoes. Future Chief of Naval Operations Lieutenant (junior grade) James L. Holloway III, served on the "Bennion" as officer in charge of the destroyer's main fire director. The full extent of "Bennion"'s contribution to sinking the "Yamashiro" was not recognized until 2010. "Bennion" returned to Puget Sound Navy Yard 27 October 1945 and went out of commission in reserve at Long Beach, Calif., 20 June 1946. The ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 15 April 1971 . She was sold 30 May 1973 and broken up for scrap. Awards. "Bennion" received the Presidential Unit Citation for her actions off Okinawa (1 April – 1 June 1945), and eight battle stars.