Hugh David Black was an officer in the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.

Black was born in Oradell, New Jersey

Oradell, New Jersey

Oradell is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. At the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,978. The borough's territory includes a dam on the Hackensack River that forms the Oradell Reservoir...

, on 29 June 1903. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy

United States Naval Academy

The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...

 in 1922, graduated in 1926, and served on board Richmond

USS Richmond (CL-9)

USS Richmond was an Omaha-class light cruiser of the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship named for the city of Richmond, Virginia....

 (CL-9), mainly in the Far East, between 1926 and 1928. During the next few years, he was an officer on board the battleship

Battleship

A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...

 New York

USS New York (BB-34)

USS New York was a United States Navy battleship, the lead ship of her class of two . She was the fifth ship to carry her name....

 (BB-34), the gunboat

Gunboat

A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...

 Asheville

USS Asheville (PG-21)

USS Asheville was a gunboat that served in the United States Navy during the early days of America's participation in World War II...

 (PG-21), and the destroyer

Destroyer

In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

s Parrott

USS Parrott (DD-218)

USS Parrott was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the second ship named for George Fountain Parrott....

 (DD-218), Rizal

USS Rizal (DD-174)

USS Rizal was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for José Rizal, a Philippine patriot.-History:...

 (DD-174) and Montgomery

USS Montgomery (DD-121)

USS Montgomery was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I, later reclassified DM-17. She was the fifth ship named for Admiral Richard Montgomery....

 (DD-121). Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Black was assigned to the Naval Training Station, San Diego

Naval Station San Diego

Naval Base San Diego is the largest base of the United States Navy on the west coast of the United States, in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of 54 ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base is composed of 13 piers stretched...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, in 1933–1934, then served on board the destroyer Upshur

USS Upshur (DD-144)

USS Upshur was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy before and during the World War II. She was the first ship named for Rear Admiral John Henry Upshur....

 (DD-144) and during 1935–38 commanded the minesweeper

Minesweeper (ship)

A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...

 Lark

USS Lark (AM-21)

The first USS Lark was a in the United States Navy. She was named for the lark.Lark was laid down 11 March 1918 by Baltimore Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co., Baltimore, Maryland; launched 6 August 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Henry A. Stanley; and commissioned 12 April 1919, Lt. Henry A...

 (AM-21).

Lt. Black had duty with the Navy's Bureau of Navigation

Bureau of Navigation (United States Navy)

The U.S. Navy's Bureau of Navigation was established in 1862 as part of the reorganization of the Navy Department. Principal responsibilities were to provide nautical charts and instruments and to oversee several activities involved navigation research, including the Naval Observatory...

, in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....

, in 1938 and attended Harvard University

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...

 for two years, beginning mid-1938. He was Executive Officer of the new destroyer Benson

USS Benson (DD-421)

USS Benson was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Admiral William S. Benson ....

 (DD-421) in 1940–1941. In March 1941, he took command of the destroyer Jacob Jones

USS Jacob Jones (DD-130)

USS Jacob Jones , named for Commodore Jacob Jones USN , was a .Jacob Jones was laid down by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden, New Jersey on 21 February 1918, launched on 20 November 1918 by Mrs. Cazenove Doughton, great-granddaughter of Commodore Jones and commissioned on 20...

 (DD-130).

Lieutenant Commander Hugh D. Black lost his life when Jacob Jones was sunk by a German

Kriegsmarine

The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...

 submarine

Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...

 on 28 February 1942.

Namesake and honors

In 1943, the destroyer USS Black

USS Black (DD-666)

USS Black was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Lieutenant Commander Hugh D. Black , who was killed in action during the sinking of his ship, in February 1942....

(DD-666) was named in honor of Lt. Comdr. Black.

Currently, perpendicular to Oradell Avenue in Oradell, New Jersey, there is a road named "Commander Black Rd".