Stoddard Namesake

The USS Stoddard was named for James Stoddard, born at Port Robinson, C.W. (Canada West), around 1838. On 21 September 1863, he enlisted in the United States Navy at Detroit, Michigan. While serving on the Marmora near Yazoo City, Mississippi, Stoddard was sent ashore, with the crew of a rifled howitzer mounted on a field carriage, to help repulse a confederate attack on that town. He and his comrades defended their gun against superior forces, often engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Stoddard was wounded in the neck during the action, but recovered to receive a medal and a promotion to acting master�s mate, on 14 April 1864, for his courageous stand.

 

 

[ Please note: Many general history topics appearing through out this document were obtained from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Volume VI) Naval History Division, Dept of the Navy, Washington: 1976 ]
Nickname - The Steaming Demon
 

Early Logo

A patched up steaming coffeepot surrounded by a ring life preserver (Referred to as The Donut).

The name was appropriate:  she was the fastest Tin Can in our group, recording 36 knots during speed runs.


Stoddard Vietnam patch (54798 bytes) Vietnam Logo

The Steaming Demon logo was changed from the coffeepot to a torpedo and shell hurling warship.

This is a crest from that era.


Stoddard 1950's patch (50971 bytes) Final Logo

We believe this patch is the unofficial emblem for the ship from the late '50s on.


Construction

The Stoddard (DD-566) was laid down at Seattle, WA by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation on 10 March 1943.  

It was then launched 19 November 1943,  sponsored by Mrs. Mildred Gould Holcomb, and commissioned on 15 April 1944, with Comdr. Horace Meyers in command.


Quick History

Keel Laid  10 March 1943
Launched  19 November 1943
  Breaking the champagne  (67378 bytes) Down the weighs (61956 bytes) Freshly in the water(38474 bytes)  
 
Commissioned 15 April 1944
  JPG (69044 bytes) Communications Division  (47649 bytes) JPG (50110 bytes)  
JPG (41567 bytes) JPG (45890 bytes)

Click Here to view the Engineering Deck Log on Commissioning Day.

Decommissioned (Mothballed), Charleston SC 9 January 1947
Re-commissioned (De-mothballed), Charleston SC  9 March 1954
Decommissioned Mare Island, CA 26 September 1969
Struck From Navel Vessel Registry 1 June 1975
Target Ship And Tomahawk Project  30 June 1976 - 1983
Phalanx Development Project November 1983 - March 1991
Disposed of by Sinking off of Hawaii   22 July 1997

Commanding Officers
Click Here for their history


Medals and Decorations

The following Medals and Decorations were earned by USS Stoddard

(and listed in the order worn) from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

 

Navy Unit Commendation
China Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia and Europe Clasps
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Bronze Star
     Taiwan Straits-Quemoy Matsu 29 Aug. 58 - 14 Oct. 58
     Laos/Cambodia 5 Mar. 62 - 14 Apr. 62
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Philippine Liberation Ribbon  
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal  

 

 

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