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USS Kennison (DD-138)
Encyclopedia
USS Kennison (DD–138) was a Wickes class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during World War II
, later redesignated AG-83. She was the first ship named for William Kennison
.
Kennison was launched 8 June 1918 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California
; sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Riner; and commissioned 2 April 1919, Commander
R. P. Enrich in command.
, her home port, 25 March 1920. During the summer she engaged in experimental torpedo and antiaircraft exercises. The destroyer continued coastal operations and tactical exercises until 12 August 1921 when she put into San Diego with 50 percent complement. She decommissioned at San Diego 22 June 1922.
Recommissioned 18 December 1939, Lieutenant
William Giers Michelet in command, Kennison joined the Neutrality Patrol
out of San Diego 6 May 1940. From June to September she engaged in reserve training cruises before rejoining the Neutrality Patrol 14 October. The destroyer continued patrol operations along the West Coast until the United States entered World War II. As the war effort increased in early 1942, Kennison intensified her ASW operations including escort of convoys and submarines to various California
ports until 22 September 1944 when she sailed for Bremerton to undergo conversion.
Redesignated AG-83, Kennison returned to San Diego 9 November 1944 to resume service. For the rest of the war she operated out of San Diego as a target ship for plane exercises with aerial torpedo
es. These exercises provided invaluable training to Navy pilots preparing for combat. Following the war Kennison sailed for the East Coast, arriving Norfolk
late October. She decommissioned 21 November 1945 at Portsmouth, Virginia
. She was sold 18 November 1946 to Luria Brothers & Company, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and scrapped.
As of 2004, no other ship in the United States Navy has borne this name.
Wickes class destroyer
The Wickes-class destroyers were a group of 111 destroyers built by the United States Navy in 1917-1919. Along with the 6 preceding Caldwell class and 155 subsequent Clemson-class destroyers, they formed the "flush-deck" or "four-stack" class. Only a few were completed in time to serve in World...
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...
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...
, later redesignated AG-83. She was the first ship named for William Kennison
William Kennison
-Biography:Born in Massachusetts, Kennison was appointed Acting Master's Mate 28 August 1861. During the American Civil War he was promoted to Volunteer Lieutenant for gallant conduct in action between the CSS Virginia and the USS Cumberland 7 March 1862. Following the war, he was honorably...
.
Kennison was launched 8 June 1918 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
; sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Riner; and commissioned 2 April 1919, Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
R. P. Enrich in command.
Service history
Following completion, shakedown, and acceptance trials, Kennison arrived in San DiegoSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, her home port, 25 March 1920. During the summer she engaged in experimental torpedo and antiaircraft exercises. The destroyer continued coastal operations and tactical exercises until 12 August 1921 when she put into San Diego with 50 percent complement. She decommissioned at San Diego 22 June 1922.
Recommissioned 18 December 1939, Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
William Giers Michelet in command, Kennison joined the Neutrality Patrol
Neutrality Patrol
At the beginning of World War II, when Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 started the hostilities in Europe, President Franklin D...
out of San Diego 6 May 1940. From June to September she engaged in reserve training cruises before rejoining the Neutrality Patrol 14 October. The destroyer continued patrol operations along the West Coast until the United States entered World War II. As the war effort increased in early 1942, Kennison intensified her ASW operations including escort of convoys and submarines to various 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...
ports until 22 September 1944 when she sailed for Bremerton to undergo conversion.
Redesignated AG-83, Kennison returned to San Diego 9 November 1944 to resume service. For the rest of the war she operated out of San Diego as a target ship for plane exercises with aerial torpedo
Aerial torpedo
The aerial torpedo, airborne torpedo or air-dropped torpedo is a naval weapon, the torpedo, designed to be dropped into water from an aircraft after which it propels itself to the target. First used in World War I, air-dropped torpedoes were used extensively in World War II, and remain in limited...
es. These exercises provided invaluable training to Navy pilots preparing for combat. Following the war Kennison sailed for the East Coast, arriving Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
late October. She decommissioned 21 November 1945 at Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
. She was sold 18 November 1946 to Luria Brothers & Company, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, and scrapped.
As of 2004, no other ship in the United States Navy has borne this name.