Stoddard NamesakeThe 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
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| 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 ]
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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.
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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.
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Final Logo
We believe this patch is the unofficial emblem for the ship from the
late '50s on.
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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 |
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| Commissioned |
15 April 1944 |
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| 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 |
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Commanding Officers
USS Stoddard DD-566 |
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CDR Horace
“Iron Mike” Myers |
Apr 15 1944 –Dec 1944 |
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CDR George
Paul Unmacht |
Dec 1944 –
Feb.18, 1946 |
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CDR Orville (Ollie) Liebschner |
Feb.18,
1946 -June 10, 1946 |
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LCDR William
James Hurst |
June 10,
1946 -July 8, 1946 |
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Decommissioned Jul 8 1946 - Mar 9 1951 |
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CDR Eli Thomas Reich |
Mar 9,
1951 – Apr.17, 1952 |
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CDR John Baumeister Jr.
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Apr 17, 1952 -1954 |
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CDR John Blount Nelson
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1954 - 1955 |
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CDR Jacob Vincent Heimark |
Sep 1955 - Jan 1957 |
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CDR Claude
Lloyd Reeves |
Jan 1957 -
1958 |
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CDR Robert T. Hanley
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1958 – 1960 |
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CDR James Richard Collier
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1960 – Apr 1962 |
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CDR Charles Louis Wall |
June 1962 –
Feb 18, 1964 |
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CDR Theodore
L. Morgan |
Feb 18, 1964
–June 1965 |
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CDR Charles
Kenneth Presgrove |
June 1965 –
Oct. 1966 |
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CDR Robert
Carhart Conolly II |
Oct
1966 - Oct 1968 |
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CDR James
Ernest Lacy |
Oct 1968 - Sep 26 1969 |
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Revised 03-09-2010 |
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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 |
Date Awarded ? |
| China Service Medal |
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| American Campaign Medal |
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| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze
Stars |
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| World War II Victory Medal |
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| Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia and
Europe Clasps |
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| National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze
Star |
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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 |
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| Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars |
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| Philippine Liberation Ribbon |
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| Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
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