[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6187-6188]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          USS ``JOHN RODGERS''

  Mr. NELSON. Mr President, I submit these remarks today to honor the 
achievements of the USS John Rodgers, DD-574, a Fletcher-class 
destroyer of the United States Navy. The USS John Rodgers was 
commissioned on February 9, 1943, with Commander H.O. Parish, USN, 
commanding.
  The USS John Rodgers joined the Pacific Fleet upon arrival in Pearl 
Harbor in June 1943. During her 2 years of almost constant service in 
the forward area, the USS John Rodgers was under frequent air attacks, 
yet still assisted other ships and planes in destroying innumerable 
enemy aircraft.
  The courageous crew of the USS John Rodgers sank an enemy patrol 
craft, destroyed six mines, rescued twenty-five downed airmen, to 
include three British personnel, and engaged in eight bombardments of 
Japanese held territory in support of various amphibious operations.
  The sailors of USS John Rodgers bravely executed an anti-shipping 
sweep 30 miles into Suruga Qan, the deepest penetration of Japanese 
homewaters made by surface vessels during the war. The crew was 
recognized by the commanding general, Third Marine Division, for 
outstanding performance while in contact with the enemy.
  The commanding officers and squadron commanders who embarked in this

[[Page 6188]]

vessel and honorably served the USS John Rodgers: Captain E.M. 
Thompson, Captain Henry Crommelin, and Captain Joseph W. Ludewig, 
Commander H.O. Parish, and Commander J.G. Franklin.
  The USS John Rodgers earned 12 battle stars in World War II, and 
remarkably she sustained zero personnel losses during her service. At 
all times the morale of the crew was excellent and in keeping with the 
highest traditions of the naval service.
  The USS John Rodgers was decommissioned on 25 May 1946. I would like 
to take this opportunity to personally thank the sailors and the 
families of the USS John Rodgers for their commitment, patriotism, and 
dedication to the USS John Rodgers, the United States Navy, and the 
United States of America.

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