Frank H. Newcomb, born 10 November 1842 in Massachusetts, served in the Navy as Acting
Master's Mate during the Civil War, then entered the Revenue Cutter Service. Commanding cutter
Hudson on blockade off Cuba in the Spanish-American War, he engaged Spanish gunboats in the harbor
at Cardenas 11 May 1898 and towed Wilmington to safety after her steering gear had been shot away.
His bravery and skill won him the Medal of Honor.  Newcomb subsequently  served in the Coast Guard,
successor to the Revenue Cutter Service, rising to Commodore.  He died 19 Feb 1934.

(DD-586: dp. 2,050; l. 376'5" ; b. 39'7"; dr. 17'9";  s.35 kt; cpl. 329; a. 5 5", 6 dep., 2 dct.
10 21" tt; cl. Fletcher

        "Newcomb shook down in the West Indies for a month, then made passage to the Marshall Islands,
arriving 4 April 1944 for two months duty on antisubmarine patrol off the Japanese held Mille, Wotje,
and Jaluit atolls.  She next joined the assault on Saipan as flagship for the screen from 29 May until 5
August, serving as fire support and patrol ship at both Saipan and Tinian. On 22 June, while guarding
transports, she and the Chandler (DMS 9) sank Japanese submarine I-185, and on 4 July her
well-directed fire broke up a Japanese banzai attack north of Garapan on Saipan.
        "Operating in the Fire Support and Bombardment Group for the assault on the Palaus 6 September
to 1 October, Newcomb fired 23 separate shore bombardments and also covered underwater demolitions
teams providing bombardment control spotting.  As flagship of Destroyer Squadron 56, Newcomb joined
in the Leyte landings 12 October to 4 December, covering underwater demolition teams and firing
pre-invasion bombardment, call-fire, night-harassing, and illumination missions.
        "Her squadron made a daring night torpedo attack in the Surigao Strait phase of the Battle for Leyte
Gulf 25 October. At least one (actually 3 -nhc) of her 5 torpedoes struck the battleship Yamashiro, sunk
in this action. Closely straddled but not damaged, Newcomb went to the aid of stricken Albert W. Grant
(DD649) providing medical aid and a tow out of the battle area.  In this classic sea battle, Newcomb and
her sisters played a key role in the great American victory which insured the success of MacArthur's
return to the Philippines, and effectively ended major Japanese naval threats for the remainder of the
war.
        "Often under fire from Japanese aircraft, several of which she destroyed, Newcomb continued
important service in the Philippines, engaging Japanese shore batteries at Ormoc 9 December while
screening landing craft, fighting a convoy through heavy enemy air attack to Mindoro 19 through 24
December, and driving off 2 would-be kamikazes during the Lingayen landing 6 January 1945 (2
shipmates killed, I was slightly wounded here. nhc).  She covered operations in Lingayen Gulf through 24
January, then prepared for duty as fire support ship at Iwo Jima from 10 February, where she covered
minesweeping for three days prior to the landing.  During the invasion the destroyer engaged shore
batteries and fired pin-point accurate bombardments of inestimable assistance to troops ashore. She again
engaged a Japanese submarine 25 February, with unknown results.
        "Departing Iwo Jima 10 March, Newcomb joined the Okinawa assault force 11 days later, and
again covered underwater demolition and minesweeping operations as well as antiaircraft and shore
bombardment until 6 April, when she was screening minesweepers off Ie Shime. At least 40 enemy
aircraft were observed in the area during the day, and at 1600 suicide attacks began. Though
handicapped by a low ceiling, her gunners were able to drive off or shoot down several attackers, but
over the period of an hour and a half, she was struck five times.  With a skill and fighting spirit which
won them a Navy Unit Commendation, her crew worked furiously to repair engine damage and
extinguish fires, while continuing to fight their ship and maneuver to avoid further crashes.  Aid was
rendered by Leutze (DD 481), herself struck by the fifth kamikaze skipping across from the Newcomb,
and Beale (DD 471).  Indomitably afloat, fires and power out, with 18 killed, 20 missing, and 64
wounded, Newcomb was towed to Kerama Retto by Tekesta (ATF-93).
        "Repairs to her hull were made by Vestal (AR-4) under frequent enemy air attack, and 14 June she
left under tow for Saipan, Pearl Harbor, and San Francisco, arriving 8 August.  The end of the war ended
further repairs, and Newcomb decommissioned 20 November 1945. Stricken from the Navy List 28
March 1946, she was scrapped at Mare Island Navy Yard in October 1947. "Newcomb received 8 battle stars for World War II service."
 
 

Nate Cook who served aboard the Newcomb from "commissioning to decommissioning" added:
We also received the Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 battle stars and the Navy Unit  Citation.  I
had the mixed honor of colecting a Purple Heart as well. (Not serious wounds)