Blue DD- 387

Blue

Victor Blue was born in Richmond County, N. C., 6 December 1865 and graduated from the Academy in 1887. Lieutenant Blue was advanced five numbers for Intelligence missions in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation (1913-16 and 1919) and commanded Texas (BB-35) during her service with the 6th Battle Squadron. Rear Admiral Blue retired in 1919 and died 22 January 1928.

Born in New York City 29 August 1902, John Stuart Blue graduated from the Academy in 1925. During 193.3 he commanded the Presidential yacht Sequoia and served as Aide to President Roosevelt. Between August 1940 and January 1942 he commanded Palmer (DD- 161) and then reported to the light cruiser Juneau (CL-52) as navigator. Lieutenant Commander Blue was killed in action 13 November 1942 when Juneau sank during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
Blue I
(DD-387: dp. 1500; 1. 341'4"; b. 35'6"; dr. 17'1" - s.
36.5 k.; cpl. 172; a. 4 5", 16 21" TT.; cl. Gridley)

The first Blue (DD-387) was launched 27 May 1937 by Norfolk Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss Kate Lilly Blue, sister of Admiral Blue; and commissioned 14 August 1937, Lieutenant Commander J. Wright in command.

After spending her first year in shakedown and training cruises along the east coast and in the Caribbean, Blue sailed for the Pacific in August 1938 to become flagship of Destroyer Division 7, Battle Force. She exercised with the Battle Fleet in west coast waters until April 1940 when she accompanied her division to Pearl Harbor. Except for an overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard (February-March 1941) and exercises out of San Diego during April, she remained based at Pearl Harbor until war broke out.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 caught Blue in port but she safely made her way to sea with only four officers on board (all Ensigns). She served with the offshore patrol in the approaches to Pearl Harbor during December 1941-January 1942 and then joined Enterprise (CV-6) for the attacks on Wotje, Maloelap, Kwajalein Atolls, Marshall Islands (1 February 1942) and the Wake Island attack (24 February). During March-June 1942 Blue escorted convoys between Pearl Harbor and San Francisco and then proceeded to Wellington, New Zealand, where she arrived 18 July. She joined TG 62.2 for the invasion of Guadalcanal (7 August), providing fire-support and screening. Although present, she took no active part in the Battle of Savo Island (9 August). After patrolling off Noumea, New Caledonia, (13-17 August), Blue returned to Guadalcanal, arriving 21 August. At 0359, 22 August, while Patrolling In Ironbottom Sound she was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer Kawakaze. The explosion wrecked Blue's main engines, shafts. and steering gear, as well as killing nine men and wounding 21. Throughout the 22nd and 23rd unsuccessful attempts were made to tow Blue to Tulagi. She was scuttled at 2221 on 23 August 1942 after valiant attempts to save her failed.

Blue (DD-387) received five battle stars for her nine months service In World War II.