Ship's History
USS DeLong was named for Corporal Weldon Feder DeLong, United States Marine
Corp. Corporal DeLong was born in Nova Scotia and enlisted in the U. S.
Marine Corps on September 20, 1940. Corporal DeLong was killed in action at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal on November 3, 1942 and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. In addition to the Navy Cross, Corporal DeLong was awarded the Purple Heart; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, 1942; Presidential Unit Citation, 1942; and the American Defense Service Medal, 1940-1941.
NAVY CROSS CITATION
"FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN COMBAT against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanijau River, Guadalcanal, Soloman Islands, on November 2 and 3, 1942.
After leading his squad forward in numerous assaults upon enemy positions, Corporal DeLong with two other marines, when the advance of his company was threatened by a Japanese 37 mm gun firing at almost pointblank range, unhesitatingly rushed forward; siezed the gun after disposing of its crew and put it out of action. Finally, in a violent bayonet assault, he advanced to the front of his unit, and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until he was mortally wounded.
By his great personal valor, aggressive leadership and fearless devotion to duty he contributed to the complete destruction of the enemy forces in this engagement. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country."
|
Weldon Fader Delong
USS DeLong (DE-684) was built at Quincy, Massachusetts, was launched
on 23 November 1943 and was commissioned on 31 December 1943. During World War II DeLong served primarily as a training ship for officers
and men that were about to embark on ships assigned to anti-submarinewarfare
(ASW) duties. In early 1946 DeLong was decommissioned and assigned to the
Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Following the outbreak of
hostilities in Korea, DeLong was reactivated and on February 7, 1951 was
again commissioned. After a short training period DeLong was assigned to
Escort Squadron EIGHT, Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. During this
period of active service DeLong participated in several Fleet Exercises
and Midshipmen Cruises. In addition to routine fleet support missions,
DeLong often served as a training ship for the Fleet Sonar School, Key
West, Florida. On January 3, 1958 DeLong was assigned Group II status,
joining the newly formed Reserve ASW Program in the THIRD Naval District.
During the Berlin Call-up of 1960-1961 DeLong was assigned to the U. S. Atlantic Fleet as part of Escort Squadron 18 and homported in Newport, Rhode Island. During this period DeLong operated extensively in the Caribbean area. On 1 August 1961 DeLong resumed her Group II status, operating under Commander, Naval Reserve Destroyer Division, THIRD Naval District. DeLong was decommissioned and
struck from naval records in the late 1960's and was sunk as a target on
February 19, 1970.
Note: This information is extracted from visitors pamphlets and from
other sources and is subject to error. It will be updated as information becomes available.
Launching - Courtesy of Bob Houston (Son of First CO)
Check for information from official U.S. Navy files.
Commanding Officers
R. C. Houston, LCDR, USN - 1943-
Campbell, LCDR, USNR - -
Alban Weber, LCDR, USNR - -1946
Harold N. Poulson, CDR, USN - 1951-1952
Walter D. McCord, LCDR, USN - 1952-1954
Cecil B. Collins, Jr., CDR, USN - 1954-1956
R. D. Rinesmith, LCDR, USN - 1956-1958
J. F. Feeney, LCDR, USNR - 1958 -
Brian McCrave, - 1960-1962
James E. Morrison, CDR, USNR - Mid 60's
Elmer Ballone, CDR, USNR - 1967-1968
William A. Merritt, Jr., LCDR, USNR-R - Late 60's
(Some ranks, service and dates are estimates.)
Home
Active Shipmates | Inactive Shipmates | Deceased Shipmates | Reunion Photos
Other Photos | Weldon F. DeLong and Christening Photos