USS Perkins (DD-377)

Commodore George Hamilton Perkins was born at Hopkinton, N.H., 20 October 1835. Appointed midshipman in 1851, he served the Navy to 1899. He fought with Farragut at Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, at the capture of Governor Moore and three ships of the Montgomery Flotilla, and at the surrender of New Orleans in April 1862. He also fought at Port Hudson and Whitehall's River in July 1862, at the captures of Mary Sorley and Tennessee, the Battle of Mobile Bay, and at Forts Powell, Gaines, and Morgan in August 1864. Following peacetime naval service, he died at Boston, Mass., 28 October 1899.

The second Perkins (DD-377) was laid down 15 November 1934 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Puget Sound, Wash.; launched 31 December 1935; sponsored by Mrs. Larz Anderson; and commissioned 18 September 1936, Lt. Comdr. Samuel P. Jenkins in command.

Assigned first to Destroyers, Scouting Force then to Destroyers, Battle Force, Perkins was homeported at San Diego and operated in the eastern Pacific prior to World War II. At Mare Island for overhaul, 7 December 1941, she reported for convoy escort duty on the 15th and on the 17th was enroute to Pearl Harbor. By 15 January 1942 she was back at Mare Island for the installation of new radar equipment and on the 25th she returned to Hawaii.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Perkins II (DD-377)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.