Construction and Commissioning
Stephen Potter (DD-538) was laid down on 27 October 1942 by the Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, California; launched on 28 April 1943; sponsored by Sally and Marian Potter, nieces of Ensign Potter; and commissioned on 21 October 1943, Commander Charles H. Crichton in command.
Stephen Potter held her shakedown in the San Diego area and returned to San Francisco on 8 December. The ship sailed for Hawaii late in the month and arrived at Pearl Harbor on the last day of 1943. The destroyer was assigned to the Fast Carrier Task Force (called TF 58 or TF 38, depending on whether it was part of the 5th Fleet or 3rd Fleet) which sortied, on 16 January 1944, to launch air strikes against the Marshall Islands. Strikes began on 29 January in preparation for the amphibious assault which began on 31 January.
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Famous quotes containing the word construction:
“When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people.”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)