Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016
John Cady Lough, born in Geneseo, III., 22 November 1915 attended Illinois Wesleyan University and enlisted in the Naval Reserve 2 December 1940. Appointed aviation cadet 6 March 1941, he trained at Miami and was commissioned ensign I November 1941. As a member of Scouting Squadron 6 in Enterprise, he was lost in the Battle of Midway, 4 June 1942, when his squadron played a significant part in halting the advance of the Japanese eastward across the Pacific. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for courageous devotion to duty in the face of formidable antiaircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition.
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016
Lough (DE‑586) was laid down 8 December 1943 by Bethlehem‑Hingham Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Mass.; launched 22 January 1944; sponsored by Miss Rose Anne Lough, sister of Ensign Lough; and commissioned at Boston 2 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. Blaney C. Turner in command. Lough shookdown off Bermuda and in June 1944 began coastal escort from Norfolk to New York, then guarded a convoy to Bizerte and another back to the United States. She arrived Espiritu Santo from Panama 1 November and joined the service force of the 3rd Fleet as escort from the Solomons and New Guinea to Manus, where she witnessed the disasterous explosion of ammunition ship Mount Hood 20 November and participated in the fruitless search for survivors.
Rendezvousing 10 November at Hollandia, New Guinea, she escorted 7th Fleet Commander, Adm. T. C. Kinkaid for the great amphibious landing at San Pedro Bay, Leyte. Arriving 25 November she fought off her first air attack almost at once. She served on escort and patrol in the Philippines until the fighting ended, twice voyaging to Hollandia for resupply echelons.
While protecting the landing of the 11th Airborne Division on Nasugbu 31 January 1945, Lough engaged a swarm of 20 or more 15 suicide boats armed with depth charges which attacked the screen, sinking an undetermined number of the enemy. She then pulled from the water 63 survivors of less fortunate PC‑1129. Two nights later Lough and Presley, fearing a similar attack, sank two friendly PT boats which approached without identifying themselves.
After hostilities ceased she left Manila 24 August on the first of a series of escort missions to Okinawa which continued until 28 November, when she left for Eniwetok, Pearl Harbor, and San Pedro, Calif., arriving 18 December. Lough decommissioned at San Diego 24 June 1946 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Stockton, where she remains into 1969.
Lough received three battle stars for World War II service.
