USS Norris

Benjamin White Norris, born at Callao, Peru, 15 May 1907, was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve 15 May 1919; completed flight training 6 May 1938; and was promoted to Major 16 May 1942. He was killed in action 4 June 1942 while leading a search and attack mission in the Battle of Midway. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.

Norris (DD-859) was laid down 29 August 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Corp., San Pedro, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. Benjamin Norris, widow of Major Norris, by proxy, Mrs. Charles Browning; and commissioned 9 June 1945, Comdr. T. A. Nisemann in command.

After shakedown off California, Norris served three months with the Pre-Commissioning Training Center, Treasure Island, then sailed for duty off Hawaii and Far Eastern patrol operations, for which she arrived Hong Kong 7 February 1946. Much of this deployment was spent preventing smuggling and privateering along the Chinese and Korean coasts. She returned San Diego 22 February 1947, but was on the China coast again from 8 January to 16 July 1948.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Norris (DD-859)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.