WILSON DD 408

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Benham Class Destroyer
Keel Laid March 22 1937 - Launched April 12 1939


1. USS WILSON DD-408
   Commissioned July 5 1939 - Decommissioned August 28 1946
   Damaged in Atom Bomb Test at Bikini Atoll July 1946
   
   Scuttled off Kwajalein March 8 1948
   Struck from Naval Register April 5 1948

 

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. Covers Page 1    (1939-46)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
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Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type FDC 3r Bremerton/Washington

1939-07-05

Commissioning

 

Locy Type 2z*

1945-08-06

Censored wartime (WWII) use

 

Locy Type 2z* (used after POD)

1946-06-22

Post office discontinued January 9 1946

 

Locy Type 3r (A-BBT) "CALLAO / PERU"

1939-10-26

Note:

 

Locy Type SLPbns (52x3)

1939-09-04

Note:

 

Other Information

WILSON received 11 battle stars for her service during World War II

NAMESAKE - Charles Wilson USN (1836 - ?)
Wilson enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 15 1861, at Chicago, Illinois. Assigned to Gunboat CARONDELET, commanded by Cmdr. Henry Walke. Seaman Wilson served in that gunboat during the operations which captured Forts Henry and Donaldson in February 1862. He exhibited conspicuous courage under fire on the night of April 4 1862 during the flotilla's passage down the Mississippi River past Island No. 10 to New Madrid. During the passage, Wilson, knee deep in water and exposed to Confederate gunfire stood on the bow as he took soundings and called out the depths of the river, enabling CARONDELET to make the passage safely. His soundings were the only significant guide for the gunboat as it threaded its way through the tortuous channel. Walke's running the gauntlet turned out to be a crucial factor in the Union's capture of Island No. 10 and its later operations to the southward. Later that year, the gallant sailor also served during the capture of rebel batteries opposite Point Pleasant on April 6 and Confederate positions below Madrid on the 7th. He took part in the naval engagement above Fort Pillow on the 10th, in the Battle of Memphis on June 6, and in the action with the Confederate Ram CSS ARKANSAS on July 15. On January 24 1863 Walke officially commended Wilson "for the distinguished service." Wilson eventually attained the rank of Boatswain

 

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