USS Noa (DD-343)

Loveman Noa was born 5 October 1878 at Chattanooga, Tenn. Appointed to the Naval Academy as a midshipman 5 September 1896, he graduated in June 1900, and was ordered to the Asiatic station in gunboat Mariveles. The morning of 26 October 1901 Midshipman Noa, with an armed crew of six men, put off from Mariveles in a small boat to watch for craft engaged in smuggling contraband from the island of Leyte to Samar. When ready to return to Mariveles, they found the wind and the tide against them. As the boat was taking on water, they put into a small cove on the island of Samar. While scouting the adjacent jungle, Noa, was attacked and stabbed four times by Filipino insurgents. He died before aid could reach him.

Noa (Destroyer No. 343), was built by the Norfolk Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va. Authorized 6 October 1917, she was laid down 18 November 1918; launched 28 June 1919; sponsored by Mrs. Albert Morehead, sister of Midshipman Loveman Noa; and commissioned 15 February 1921.

Following shakedown out of Norfolk, Noa operated out of Charleston, S.C. Through May 1922 she participated in Atlantic Coast training maneuvers. In late May she sailed for duty on the Asiatic station, steaming via the Mediterranean and Aden and Ceylon. She reached Singapore 14 August and 30 September she arrived at her new home yard at Cavite, P.I. Through the summer of 1929 Noa remained active on the Asiatic station. She patrolled Chinese and Philippine waters and attempted to protect American interests during the raging Chinese Civil War, which was renewed November 1922. She also participated in the periodic fleet exercises which were designed to keep crew and equipment at peak efficiency.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Noa I (Destroyer No. 343)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.