USS Cassin (DD-372)

Born in Philadelphia, 16 February 1783, Stephen Cassin entered the Navy as a midshipman in 1800, and served in Philadelphia in the West Indies during the latter part of the war with France. In the war of 1812, he commanded Ticonderoga in the Battle of Lake Champlain and was awarded a gold medal for bravery by Congress. Captain Cassin died in Washington, D.C., 29 August 1857.

The second Cassin (DD-372) was launched 28 October 1935 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. H. C. Lombard; and commissioned 21 August 1936, Lieutenant Commander A. G. Noble in command.

Cassin underwent alterations until March 1937, then cruised to the Caribbean and Brazil. In April 1938 she joined forces at Pearl Harbor for the annual fleet exercises in the Hawaiian Islands and the Panama Canal Zone. During 1939, she operated on the west coast with torpedo and gunnery schools, and on 1 April 1940 was assigned to the Hawaiian Detachment. Cassin sailed on maneuvers and patrol in the Pacific, cruising from February to April 1941 to Samoa, Australia, and Fiji. Fall of 1941 found her calling at west coast ports.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Cassin II (DD-372)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.