USS Ammen (DD-527)

Daniel Ammen was born in Brown County, Ohio, on 15 May 1820. He was appointed a midshipman on 7 July 1836 and later served with distinction during the Civil War. Ammen commanded Seneca at the Battle of Port Royal, S.C., on 7 November 1861; Patapsco in the attack on Fort McAIister and Fort Sumter in 1863; and Mohican in the bombardment of Fort Fisher in late 1864 and early 1865. Following the end of the fighting, he spent most of his remaining years of service in Washington, serving first as Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and then as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. He was promoted to rear admiral upon his retirement in 1878. After leaving active duty, he spent much of his time writing on naval subjects and published two books: the Atlantic Coast and The Old Navy and The New. Ammen died near Washington, D.C., on 11 July 1898, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The second Ammen (DD-527) was laid down on 29 November 1941 at San Francisco, Calif., by the Bethlehem Steel Corp.; launched on 17 September 1942; sponsored by Miss Eva Ammen; and commissioned on 20 March 1943, Comdr. John C. Daniel in command.

Ammen put to sea on 30 March bound for San Diego where she completed her shakedown training. The destroyer departed San Diego on 20 April and arrived in San Pedro the following day. Two days later, she embarked upon a voyage to Alaskan waters as part of the screen for Task Force (TF) 51, built around Pennsylvania (BB-38). The task force arrived at Cold Bay, Alaska, on 1 May and, 10 days later, participated in the landings on Attu Island. During that operation, Ammen's primary responsibility consisted of providing antisubmarine and antiaircraft protection for the ships of the invasion force. Since the air threat never materialized and the submarine menace proved almost as benign, she fired no shots at the enemy but struggled mightily against the inhospitable Aleutian climate.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Ammen II (DD-527)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.