USS Jarvis (DD-799)

James C. Jarvis, born in 1787, was appointed midshipman from the state of New York in 1799. Midshipman Jarvis was killed at the age of 13 during the historic engagement between the famed frigate Constellation and the French frigate La Vengeance 2 February 1800. Sent aloft in command of the topmen to secure Constellation's unsupported mainmast, he refused to come down when warned that the mast might topple: "My post is here. I can't leave it until ordered." As the mast crashed, Jarvis was swept over the side with the falling rigging. Honoring Jarvis for his bravery and devotion to duty, the Sixth Congress by Joint Resolution 29 March 1800 deemed his conduct "deserving of the highest praise" and his loss "a subject of national regret."

The third Jarvis (DD-799) was laid down on 7 June 1943 at Seattle, Wash., by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 14 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Harold Burkit, daughter of the Honorable Rufus C. Holman, U.S. Senator from Oregon; and commissioned on 3 June 1944, Cmdr. E. B. Ellsworth in command.

After shakedown off the California coast, Jarvis departed Seattle on 25 August 1944 for Pearl Harbor as escort for South Dakota (BB-57). Arriving on 31 August, she proceeded independently on 3 September to Adak, Alaska, to join the North Pacific Force, engaged in operations against the Kurile Islands. Operating out of Adak and Attu, Alaska, Jarvis battled stormy seas and prolonged bad weather to conduct eight raids on shipping and shore installations from Paramushiru to Matsuwa. After returning to Adak 15 August 1945 from her last raid, she steamed to Aomori, Honshu, to support occupation operations. Arriving Aomori 8 September, she plied the Sea of Japan, assisting occupation landings and destroying military installations on Honshu and Hokkaido. Jarvis departed Yokosuka, Honshu, 19 November for the United States. Arriving Pearl Harbor 29 November, she joined the "Magic Carpet" fleet and sailed 1 December for the East Coast via San Diego and the Panama Canal, returning veterans of the Pacific War. She reached Charleston, S.C., 22 December; deactivated as a unit of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet 11 April 1946; and decommissioned 29 June.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Jarvis III (DD-799)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.