USS Nicholas (DD-449, DDE-449) People

Specifications War Record Historical Data DANFS PeopleCitation Service Stars & Awards

COMMANDING OFFICERS

LCdr. William D. Brown, USN, 4 June 1942–26 January 1943.

LCdr. Andrew J. Hill, USN, 26 January 1943–10 December 1943.

Comdr. Robert Taylor Scott Keith, USN, 10 December 1943–6 February 1945.

Comdr. Dennis C. Lyndon, USN, 6 February 1945–22 December 1945.

Comdr. Arthur G. Hamilton, Jr., USN, 22 December 1945–22 April 1946.

Comdr. Harry C. Mason, USN, 19 February 1951–24 March 1952.

Comdr. Joseph C. Eliot, USN, 24 March 1952–14 June 1955.

Comdr. John B. Kaye, USN, 14 June 1955–29 June 1957.

Comdr. Robert E. Hawthorne, USN, 29 June 1957–14 January 1959.

Comdr. Edmond L. Kelley, USN, 14 January 1959–28 May 1960.

LCdr. David G. Foxwell, USN, 28 May 1960–25 June 1960.

Comdr. Ralph A. Hilson, USN, 25 June 1960–5 April 1962.

Comdr. David E. Cummins, USN, 5 April 1962–18 January 1964.

Comdr. Robert C. Newcomb, USN, 18 January 1964–25 September 1965.

Comdr. William B. Hooffstetter, USN, 25 September 1965–3 August 1967.

Comdr. John M. Henson, USN, 3 August 1967–23 July 1969.

Comdr. John B. Hurd, USN, 23 July 1969–30 January 1970.

The “Nick” was a favorite ship of many shipmates and affectionately known and respected by other ships’ crews throughout her career. Among the people associated with her early history were:

Florence Elizabeth Mitchell (Mrs. Edward B.) Tryon (1912–2001), great-great-great granddaughter of Marine Major Samuel Nicholas, who sponsored the “Nick” at her launch in 1942. A striking red-haired beauty, she also sponsored the third USS Nicholas (FFG 47) at her launch in 1984. She last lived in Tennessee.

LCdr. William D. Brown, USN, was Nicholas’ first commanding officer. The Browns were known as gracious hosts for social events among officers of the Nicholas and sister ships under construction at Bath, Maine. In 1949–50, then-Captain Brown commanded battleship Missouri, unfortunately running her aground in Chesapeake Bay. He retired as Rear Admiral.

LCdr. Andrew J. Hill, USN, was a fine shiphandler. A plankowner and her executive officer at commissioning, he became her second commanding officer and was awarded the Navy Cross for his role in the Battle of Kula Gulf. Twenty-six years later, he returned to Hawaii as a retired Rear Admiral for Nicholas’ final decommissioning and arranged for her bell to be consigned to the Marine Barracks in Washington, DC for permanent display.

Capt. Francis X. McInerney, USN, was the first commander of Destroyer Squadron 21, and flew his flag in Nicholas during the major night surface actions in the Solomon Islands in 1943. In his endorsement to Lcdr. Hill’s Action Report following the Battle of Kula Gulf, he wrote, “It is considered that the Nicholas is deserving of the Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance in action.”

Comdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, was Nicholas’ third skipper. An effective leader, he brought discipline to the “Nick.” He later commanded Missouri, participated in the United Nations’ negotions ending the Korean conflict, and commanded the First Fleet. Retiring as Vice Admiral, he and his wife were popular figures at Nicholas reunions into the 1980s.

Comdr. Dennis C. Lyndon, USN, commanded Nicholas at the end of World War II. Immensely popular with the entire crew, he left the ship due to illness in December 1945 but continued his career until retiring as Admiral. He died in the 1960s.

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