Though war was not officially declared against the Japanese and the Germans until December of 1941, the US Navy was quite involved with ship convoys and anti-submarine patrols in the early part of 1941. The Benson's were assigned to convoy duty and to protect all shipping that left the United States on their passage to Europe. At this time, the U.S. was very involved with aiding England and Russia with raw materials, war materials, and food that would help stop the spread of Nazi Germany's expansion. Germany saw this as a act of war--since they themselves weren't getting any supplies. Therefore, Germany ordered its U-boat and surface navy to attack, stop, and sink any and all ships of its enemies heading for England and Russia--which includes American vessels.

The United States on the other hand saw a need to protect her vessels from a "aggressive" Germany. American ships were allowed to fire upon and protect convoys from any enemy vessel that attempted to attack American interests anywhere in the world. Throughout 1941, shots were fired by both sides with a great loss of life during this "neutrality patrol". German U-boats continually attacked and sank merchantmen, and became so bold as to sink American destroyers. One example was the USS Rueben James that went down with a great loss of life. Also the Benson class ship, USS Kearny DD432, was struck by a German U-boats torpedo and took serious damage. American destroyers, which included the Mayo, Niblack, Ludlow, and Greer, tried to put down intense depth charge attacks on the German submarines. The U.S. Navy was told to also be prepared for German surface raiders, such as Bismarck and other battleship-cruiser types.

One instance of this danger was a dark night in the North Atlantic. The Mayo and other naval vessels, including some old battleships and cruisers, were escorting a merchant convoy bound for England around mid 1941. Word came down through the fleet that the German Pocket Battleship, Admiral von Scheer, was heading out to sea to intercept them. General Quarters was sounded and all the ships went to battle readiness. Suddenly, a ship appeared on the primitive radar of the time and was being tracked. When in distance, the Mayo and other ships signaled a challenge to the shadow ship with their search lights. After a brief hesitation and a few star shells in the air, the shadow ship was found to be a British anti-aircraft cruiser.

Pearl Harbor under attack 12/07/41

By December 7, 1941 these ships were already in the fight and had escorted a convoy of U.S. troops to Iceland. Numerous depth charge attacks had been made with unknown success. Merchantmen were being sunk continuously and there wasn't enough escort ships at that time due to the military cuts of the 30's. These destroyers were involved in rescue operations of shipwrecked sailors. So when war was officially declared, the Benson class Destroyer had participated in rescue operations, anti-submarine warfare, troop convoys, supply convoys, and readiness for surface engagements. Yet, the Navy wasn't prepared for what was to come: the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

With 8 battleships sunk or damaged, hundreds of aircraft destroyed, and over 2000 men dead, the US military lost vital supplies and manpower. Now all of a sudden, the US declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy. Now it was a two ocean war. Until Uncle Sam could build weapons of war in the States, the remaining ships were spread very thin and had to take up more slack. The United States and her allies were in a very bad position and the situation looked bleak after the Philippines, Guam , and Wake fell to the Japanese. American territory was taken, American merchantmen were being sunk, and their was no end in sight to the Japanese and German offensive. Regrouping and sticking it out, the US Navy maintained its courage and moved forward to the battle cry..."Remember Pearl Harbor".