USS Register (APD-92)

Paul James Register -- born at Bismarck, N. Dak. on 5 November 1899 -- and appointed from North Dakota to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. (12 June 1917–6 May 1920). The institution’s Lucky Bag annual lauded his character and thoughtfulness, noting that “Greater love hath no man than this.” The publication also good naturedly added, however, that Register never adjusted to the urbanization of the area, noting that he “found the devious ways of suspenders too much for his unsophisticated mind to cope with and he used to leave them hanging down behind on the background of his service—in times of stress when late blast was nigh.” In addition, he completed two brief midshipman cruises on board Missouri (Battleship No. 11) (7 June–30 August 1918) and Delaware (Battleship No. 28) (7 June–28 August 1919).

Following his graduation and commissioning as an ensign, he served on shore and at sea, with both the Battle and Scouting Fleets, during the interwar period. Register went to sea consecutively in: Florida (Battleship No. 30) (9 July 1920–1 July 1921); destroyer Truxtun (DD-229) until Shaw (DD-68) reached Newport, R.I., on 19 September, when he transferred to her; and he then served in George E. Badger (DD-196) until she was decommissioned on 11 August 1922. Register passed through the receiving ship at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pa. and then served as the assistant engineering officer on board heavy cruiser Rochester (CA-2) (19 August 1922–16 April 1923). He completed a brief course in submarine instruction on board minesweeper Chewink (AM-39), which tended submarines at New London, Conn. (24 May–30 August 1923).

Following that training he reported to transport Argonne (AP-4) at New York, upon which he sailed for service with the Asiatic Fleet, reaching Cavite, Philippines, on Christmas Eve (26 October–24 December 1923). Register then put his underwater operational knowledge to work while serving on board S-6 (SS-111) in Submarine Division 12. The submarine was past her prime, however, and the Asiatic Fleet summarized her readiness well by reporting her readiness as “not satisfactory,” and adding that “The material condition of the fleet, with the exception of the submarine divisions, has improved during the past year.” S-6 burned out her main motor armature, and sailors and civilian workers replaced it with a “spare” armature.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Register II (APD-92)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.