The USS Reuben James was a Clemson-class destroyer. It was torpedoed by a German U-Boat on 31 October 1941, over five weeks before Pearl Harbor, making it the first American warship sunk in World War II. It also . . .
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
What Was the Reuben James? Why did Woodie Guthrie Write a Song About It?
1. “Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James,
Manned by hard fighting men both of honor and fame?”
SUNK OVER A MONTH
BEFORE PEARL HARBOR
2. The USS Reuben James was a
Clemson-class destroyer, built just
after World War I in 1919.
Clemson-class, also known as four
stackers, were the most common
destroyer ever built by the US Navy,
with 156 built, until the Fletcher-class
in World War II.
3. It was armed with 4, four-inch guns,
and 12 torpedo tubes.
It also carried depth charges for anti-
submarine warfare.
The USS Reuben James was
commissioned on 24 September 1920.
4. The ship was named after Reuben
James, a sailor who gained fame for
stepping in front of Lieutenant Decatur
during a battle in the Barbary Wars and
taking a sword blow to the head that
was intended for Decatur, who went on
to gain great fame in the Navy.
6. In 1921, she helped escort the
remains of the Unknown Soldier of
World War I from Europe back to the
United States.
7. The Reuben James was
commanded by Lieutenant
Commander Heywood L.
Edwards. A 1926 graduate of
the United States Naval
Academy, Heywood had
wrestled in the 1928 Summer
Olympics, placing 4th in the
light heavyweight division.
8. Prior to the outbreak of World War II,
she was assigned to the Neutrality
Patrol, escorting convoys sailing to
Great Britain. They escorted as far as
Iceland, whereupon, security was
taken over by British ships.
9. 23 October 1941, she was one of five
destroyers escorting convoy HX 156
from Newfoundland.
As they approached Iceland and the
handoff, they were required to spend
an extra day in order to insure the task
was completed.
10. On 31 October 1941, Hallows Eve, the
USS Reuben James was torpedoed
by U-552, commanded by Erich Topp.
11. The torpedo hit the port bow,
detonating the forward magazine,
blasting the destroyer in two.
Every officer was killed.
12. The ship went down quickly.
Of 144 on board, there were 44
survivors.
13. Due to the fact that the United States
was not at war, the sinking caused a
large outcry.
However, it was not until 7 December,
over 5 weeks later, that the United
States entered World War II.
15. “Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben
James
Manned by hard fighting men both of honor and
fame?
She flew the Stars and Stripes of the land of the free
But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the
sea.”
Woody Guthrie
16. But what if the Reuben James
encounter with U-552 turns out to be
something altogether different?
17. Travel back in time to 1941, aboard
the first American warship to be sunk
in World War II, even before the
United States was officially at war.
18. 31 October. Hallows Eve
1517
1692
1828
1941
1984
Zero Year
What do they all have in common?
A day when history stood in the balance.
21. Free audiobook shorts on Soundcloud from the
Time Patrol series. Click on box.
Roland’s complete mission from Independence Day.
4 July 1865, at Gettysburg. HERE
Mac’s complete mission from D-Day.
6 June 1944.
22. www.bobmayer.com
About the author: Bob Mayer up in the Bronx, New York
City; graduated West Point, served in the Infantry
including leading a recon platoon in the First Cav
Division, and then Special Forces (Green Berets),
commanding an A-Team and other assignments. After
leaving active duty he studied martial arts in the Orient
and was brought back for numerous ADSW (Active Duty
Special Work) tours in Special Operations.
He’s lived on an island off the east coast, an island off
the west coast, in the Rocky Mountains, the hill country of
Texas, the first of New England, the Appalachians and
other places.
They haven’t caught up to him yet.
He is the New York Times bestselling author of over 80
books.
Editor's Notes
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find
There’s a common image of a red and white sign for Area 51 you can find