USS O’Brien (DD-415)

Captain Jeremiah O'Brien and his five brothers, Gideon, John, William, Dennis and Joseph, were crewmembers of the sloop Unity which captured HMS Margaretta at the entrance to the harbor at Machias, Mass. (now Maine), 12 June 1775. Under the command of Jeremiah O'Brien, thirty-one townsmen armed with guns, swords, axes, and pitch forks captured the British armed schooner in an hour long battle after Margaretta had threatened to bombard the town for interference with the shipment of lumber to British troops in Boston.

The third O'Brien (DD-415) was laid down at Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass., 31 May 1938; launched 20 October 1939; sponsored by Miss Josephine O'Brien Campbell, great-greatgreat granddaughter of Gideon O'Brien; and commissioned 2 March 1940, Lt. Comdr. Carl F. Espe, in command. Since the ship was built in drydock with Walke, Landsdale, and Madison, the christening ceremonies were combined.

Throughout 1940 and 1941, the ship operated along the eastern seaboard. After drydocking and repairs in the fall of 1941, the ship left Norfolk 15 January 1942 with Idaho and Mustin and steamed for the Pacific. Transiting the Panama Canal on the 20th, the trio arrived in San Francisco, 31 January 1942.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (O'Brien III (DD-415)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.