USS Foote (DD-511)

Andrew Hull Foote, born 12 September 1806 at New Haven, Conn., entered the Navy 4 December 1822 as a midshipman. Commanding Portsmouth in the East India Squadron on 20 and 21 November 1856, Foote led a landing party which seized the barrier forts at Canton, China, in reprisal for attacks on American ships. From 30 August 1861 to 9 May 1862, Foote commanded the Naval Forces on Western Rivers with distinction, organizing and leading the gunboat flotilla in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson and Island No. 10. Wounded in action at Fort Donelson, Foote was commissioned Rear Admiral 16 July 1862, and was on his way to take command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron when he died at New York 26 June 1863.

The third Foote (DD-511) was launched 11 October 1942 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. J. C. Aspinwall, granddaughter of Admiral Foote; and commissioned 22 December 1942, Commander Bernard L. Austin in command.

After escorting a convoy to Casablanca between 1 April 1943 and 9 May, Foote prepared for Pacific duty, and on 28 June arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia, to join Destroyer Squadron 23. Through the next 3 months, she escorted convoys from Noumea to Guadalcanal, Efate, Espiritu Santo, Vella Lavella, and Rendova. From 27 to 29 September, she hunted Japanese barges evacuating troops from Kolombangara, and on the last night, attacked such a group, probably sinking two. While McCalla (DD-488) was working to correct steering trouble that night, Foote drove off a lone Japanese aircraft, then stood by McCalla and Pat terson (DD-392) after the two collided, until a tug arrived on the scene.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Foote III (DD-511)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.