U.S. Navy destroyers and what are now known as frigates have from the outset been named for individuals distinguished by their service—in war or peace— to the Navy and the nation. One of the first noncommissioned Navy personnel to be so honored was Boatswain’s Mate Reuben James, renowned (although perhaps not correctly) for having saved the life of Stephen Decatur during the 1804 action at Tripoli. James, joining the infant U.S. Navy in 1799, served with distinction aboard such famous warships as the Congress, Constellation, Constitution, Enterprise, and United States, and did not retire until 1836.
The first Reuben James (DD-245) was one of 156 Clemson (DD-186)-class “Four-Piper” destroyers and was built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden, New Jersey, commissioning on 24 September 1920. The 1,295-ton (full load), 35-knot destroyer served in the Atlantic Fleet until placed in reserve in January 1931. She is seen here on recommissioning at Philadelphia on 9 March 1932. DD-245 was assigned to the Neutrality Patrol in 1939. On 31 October 1941, while escorting eastbound convoy HX-156, she was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-562, becoming the first U.S. Navy war loss of World War II. The 314-foot ship’s armament suite remained constant throughout her career: four single 4-inch/50-caliber low- angle guns, a single 3-inch/50-caliber antiaircraft gun, four triple 21-inch torpedo tube mounts, a “Y-gun” depth charge mortar, and two depth charge racks.
The second Reuben James (DE-153), one of 154 Buckley (DE-51)-class ships completed as destroyer escorts (46 for Great Britain), was built by the Norfolk Navy Yard and commissioned on 1 April 1943; 48 others were converted as fast transports. The 1,650-ton (full load, designed) DE-153 is shown here as completed with three 3-inch/50-caliber dual-purpose guns, a twin 40-mm antiaircraft mount, four single 20-mm guns, a triple 21-inch torpedo tube mount, and for antisubmarine work, a Mk 10 Hedgehog spiggot mortar, eight depth charge mortars, and two depth charge racks. DE-153’s wartime operations were in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, where her crew shot down a German bomber in August 1944- She assisted the Buckley in sinking the 11-879 on 19 April 1945. DE-153 was one of seven Buckley-class ships converted to serve as radar pickets, but the work, carried out between July and November 1945, was completed too late for her intended service in the final stages of the conflict in the Pacific. Decommissioned in October 1947, the Reuben James officially was retyped DER-153 in 1949 but remained in reserve until stricken on 30 June 1968; she was expended as a target in March 1971.
The third Reuben James (FFG-57) still is very much in service. Built by Todd Shipyards at San Pedro, California, and commissioned on 22 March 1986, the 4,100-ton ship is scheduled to remain in U.S. Navy service until 2018 as one of the most modem and best-equipped units of 51 Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)-class guided-missile frigates completed between 1977 and 1989 for the U.S. Navy.