Commisioning Ceremony Program
USS CHARLES P. CECIL (DD 835)
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U.S.S. CHARLES P. CECIL (DD835) 
COMMISSIONING PROGRAM NAVY YARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 29 JUNE 1945 |
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ORDER OF EVENTS
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The U. S. S. CHARLES P. CECIL (1)1) 835) is named for the late Rear Admiral Charles Purcell Cecil, U. S. Navy. Admiral Cecil was born at Louisville, Kentucky, on September 4, 1893. He was appointed a Midshipman from the Fifth District of Kentucky in 1912 and upon detachment from the Naval Academy in June, 1916, was commissioned an Ensign. he was first permanently attached to U.S.S. ARIZONA at the time of her commissioning in 1916, and thereafter served on board the U.S.S. YANKTON, BALLARD, ROCHESTER, ABEL P. UPSHUR, PITTSBURGH, TEXAS. WEST VIRGINIA, ARKANSAS, GREER, CUMMINGS and HELENA. In 1942-1943 he commanded Destroyers, Task Force Seventeen and U.S.S. HELENA, during which assignments he was awarded the Navy Cross, and Gold Star in lieu of a Second Navy Cross and was cited as follows: NAVY CROSS: "For extrordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a destroyer group of a Task Force during action against enemy Japanese forces off Santa Cruz Island, October 26, 1942. Conducting his group with distinguished and efficient leadership, Captain Cecil and the units under his command maneuvered skillfully in forming a tight defensive screen around our carrier in spite of intense and violent opposition sustained for an hour and a half. His brilliant tactics and the devotion to duty of the units In the destroyer group contributed materially to heavy losses inflicted on attacking Japanese air forces and were important factors In the success of our forces In this engagement". GOLD STAR in lieu of SECOND NAVY CROSS: "For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U. S. S. HELENA in action against enemy Japanese forces In the Solomon Island on July 5 and 0. 1943. An part of a Task Force in close support of the landing of United States troops at Rice Anchorage on New Georgia Wand, Captain Cecil skillfully maneuvered his ship through the restricted submarine-infested waters and effectively bombarded enemy shore batteries and installations In the face of Intense Japanese gun and torpedo fire. Twenty-four hours later the HELENA participated In an engagement with a numerically superior Japanese naval force and contributed materially to the sinking or severe damaging of all hostile vessels before she was mortally hit by enemy torpedo fire. Calmly, and without confusion, Captain Cecil directed the abandonment of his sinking ship and continued the supervision of rescue operations from a small life raft. His gallant and inspiring leadership under fire and his courageous devotion to duty reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service". The U. S. S. CHARLES P. CECIL was launched at 1037 on 22 April 1945, at the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. The Sponsor was Mrs. Charles P. Cecil, wife of the late Rear Admiral Charles P. Cecil, U.S.N. |
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COMMANDER W. OUTERSON, USN commanding LIEUTENANT R. G. BIENVENU, USN Executive Officer LIEUTENANT F. M. NELSON, USN Gunnery Officer LIEUTENANT J. B. STEIDEL, USNR Communication Officer LIEUTENANT (jg) G. P. REILLY, USNR Engineering Officer LIEUTENANT (jg) D. W. GIBB, USN First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer LIEUTENANT (jg) C. F. STRINGER (MC) USNR Medical Officer ENSIGN U. P. QUINN (SC) USN Supply and Disbursing Offteer BUILT BY BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION BATH, MAINE MR. WILLIAM S. NEWELL, President CAPTAIN RUSSELL S. HITCHCOCK, U. S. N. Supervisor of Shipbuilding |
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