Hull Number: DE-452
Class: JOHN C. BUTLER
JOHN C. BUTLER Class
Namesake: DONALD B. STEINAKER
DONALD B. STEINAKER
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016
Donald B. Steinaker was born at Syracuse, N.Y., on 15 September 1922 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve on 20 March 1941. He served at Parris Island, S.C., and Quantico, Va., before he was sent to the South Pacific.
During the Solomons campaign, Private First Class Steinaker was killed in action at the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, on 9 October 1942, when his unit was attacked during a heavy Japanese offensive. The small group of Marines fought furiously against the overwhelming enemy forces and exacted a tremendous toll. Steinaker refused to be dislodged from his position and died at his post.
Steinaker was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for gallantry in action.
Disposition:
the contract was cancelled on 6 June 1944; and the ship was not completed.