Doherty DE-14

Doherty

John Joseph Doherty, born 26 February 1919 in Charlestown, Mass., enlisted in the Naval Reserve 1 March 1940 and was appointed aviation cadet 9 July 1940. Assigned to Bombing Squadron 6 on board Enterprise (CV-6), Ensign Doherty was reported missing in action 1 February 1942 during the Marshall Islands raid. He received posthumously a special letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for his devotion to duty and disregard of his own safety in accomplishing his mission in addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

(DE-14: dp. 1,140; 1. 289'6"; b. 36'1", dr. 8'3", s. 21 k.
cpl. 166; a. 3 3", 8 dep., 1 dcp.(hh.), 2 dct.; cl. Evarts)

Doherty (DE-14), originally intended for transfer to Great Britain, was launched 29 August 1942 as Berry (BDE-14) by Mare Island Navy Yard; retained for use by the United States Navy, assigned the name Doherty 6 January 1943; and commissioned 6 February 1943 Lieutenant Commander A. Jackson, Jr., USNR, in command.

After escorting a convoy to Cold Bay, Alaska, between 23 April and 11 May 1943, Doherty served on escort duty between the west coast and Pearl Harbor from 23 May to 16 September. She sailed from San Francisco 16 September for duty in Alaskan waters where she escorted merchant ships and occasionally served as plane guard for Army bomber strikes over the Kuriles. Doherty returned to San Francisco for overhaul 28 September 1944, then sailed to San Diego for training.

Leaving San Diego 23 November 1944 Doherty operated as a training vessel in submarine exercises at Pearl Harbor from 2 December 1944 to 6 February 1946. She arrived at Guam 16 February on escort duty and for the rest of the war plied between Guam and Okinawa on escort, patrol and air-sea rescue missions. Sailing from Guam 12 October Doherty arrived at San Pedro, Calif., 28 October, was decommissioned 14 December 1946, and sold 26 December 1946.