Hull Number: DE-354
Launch Date: 03/07/1944
Commissioned Date: 07/19/1944
Decommissioned Date: 02/26/1959
Call Sign: NHEQ
Class: JOHN C. BUTLER
JOHN C. BUTLER Class
Namesake: KENNETH MARTIN WILLETT
KENNETH MARTIN WILLETT
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, July 2015
Kenneth Martin Willett, born 9 April 1919 in Overland, Mo., enlisted in the Naval Reserve as an apprentice seaman 9 July 1940. Appointed to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School 9 August, he was commissioned Ensign 14 November and assigned to California (BB-44), where he served until 24 November 1941. He then reported to the 12th Naval District for duty at the Armed Guard Center, San Francisco, 22 January 1942. While serving as commanding officer of the Naval Armed Guard on board freighter SS Stephen Hopkins, he was promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.) 15 June.
While en route from Capetown, South Africa, to Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, Stephen Hopkins was attacked 27 September by two enemy surface raiders. Though seriously wounded by one of the first enemy shells, Lt. Willett courageously manned the 4-inch gun and fired shell after shell into the nearer, more heavily armed raider. Inflicting heavy damage on both enemy ships, his accurate fire eventually sank one of them. Even after an exploding magazine silenced his gun, Lt. Willett refused to give up his struggle for both ship and crew. When last seen, although weakened and suffering, he was helping to launch life rafts from the flaming freighter in a desperate effort to save lives. For his “great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice,” Lt. Willett was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Disposition:
Stricken 6 March 1974, she was sunk as a target off the coast of Puerto Rico.