From the Collections
Commander Julian Becton and The Ship That Would Not Die
“No! I’ll never abandon ship as long as a single gun will fire!”
—Commander Frederick J. Becton, commanding officer, USS Laffey (DD-724), 16 April 1945
Commander Becton was already a seasoned Naval officer when World War II broke out. As the executive officer of the USS Aaron Ward, Becton witnessed the sinking of the first Laffey (DD-459) at the Battle of Guadalcanal. Five months later, the USS Aaron Ward fell under similar circumstances. Reassigned to the new USS Laffey (DD-724), and with intimate knowledge of what could happen, Becton ran his crew through stringent drills. Sailors credited their battle performance at both the invasion of Normandy and off Okinawa to these drills.
During the Battle of Okinawa, multiple kamikazes struck the USS Laffey, but the crew never gave up fighting throughout the 80-minute onslaught. The Battle earned the USS Laffey the nickname the “Ship That Would Not Die.” The Navy awarded Becton the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism and distinguished service. Never one to forget his crew, he credited the men who served under him as the reason for the ship’s survival.
After the war, Commander Becton continued in service to his country. Promoted to rear admiral in 1955, Becton retired in 1966 as Naval Inspector General. The Becton family donated many of the beloved commander’s personal items seen in this collection, commemorating his meritorious Naval career.
—Commander Frederick J. Becton, commanding officer, USS Laffey (DD-724), 16 April 1945
Commander Becton was already a seasoned Naval officer when World War II broke out. As the executive officer of the USS Aaron Ward, Becton witnessed the sinking of the first Laffey (DD-459) at the Battle of Guadalcanal. Five months later, the USS Aaron Ward fell under similar circumstances. Reassigned to the new USS Laffey (DD-724), and with intimate knowledge of what could happen, Becton ran his crew through stringent drills. Sailors credited their battle performance at both the invasion of Normandy and off Okinawa to these drills.
During the Battle of Okinawa, multiple kamikazes struck the USS Laffey, but the crew never gave up fighting throughout the 80-minute onslaught. The Battle earned the USS Laffey the nickname the “Ship That Would Not Die.” The Navy awarded Becton the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism and distinguished service. Never one to forget his crew, he credited the men who served under him as the reason for the ship’s survival.
After the war, Commander Becton continued in service to his country. Promoted to rear admiral in 1955, Becton retired in 1966 as Naval Inspector General. The Becton family donated many of the beloved commander’s personal items seen in this collection, commemorating his meritorious Naval career.
