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USS JOHN RODGERS (DD-574)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NEQO

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign (circa 1945) - EQUIPOISE

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 6 x 40mm, 11 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; General Electric Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Built by Consolidated Steel, Orange, TX (YN 199)
Laid down 25 June 1941
Launched 07 May 1942
Commissioned 09 February 1943
Decommissioned 25 May 1946
Stricken 01 May 1968
To Mexico 19 August 1970, renamed ARM Cuitláhuac (IE-01, later E 01).
Retired by the Mexican Navy 16 July 2001.
Acquired by Beauchamp Tower Corp., Milton, FL, with intention of preserving her at Mobile, AL, 30 December 2006
Seized by Mexican government as derelict due to unpaid fees and liens, 02 August 2010
Fate Dismantled and scrapped at Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, September 2010 - April 2011

John Rodgers earned 12 battle stars during World War II
The last Fletcher-class destroyer in active military service.

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Size Image Description Contributed
By
Namesakes
Rodgers
I

Rodgers
II

Rodgers
III

Rodgers
IV
I - 14k


II - 46k


III - 11k


IV - 68k
I - Commodore John Rodgers (naval officer, War of 1812) (1772-1838), U.S. Naval officer during the War of 1812.

II - John Rodgers ( 8 August 1812 - 5 May 1882), son of Commodore John Rodgers, was born near Havre de Grace. He was received his appointment as a Midshipman in the Navy on 18 April 1828. Service in the Mediterranean on board Constellation and Concord opened his long career of distinguished service, and he commanded an expedition of Naval Infantry and Marines in Florida during the Seminole Wars. In the mid-1850s he succeeded Commander Ringgold in command of the North Pacific Exploring and Surveying Expedition, which added greatly to our knowledge of far eastern and northern waters. Following his promotion to Commander in 1855, he married and settled to work in the Navy's Japan Office in Washington, where he was serving when the Civil War broke out.

III - Vice Admiral William Ledyard Rodgers (naval officer, World War I) (1860 - 1944), the grandson of Commodore John Rodgers and son of Rear Admiral John Rodgers.

IV - John Rodgers, great grandson of Commodore Rodgers, was born in Washington 15 January 1881 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1903. He last served as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics until killed in an airplane crash 27 August 1926. Digital ID: ggbain 38720, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Bill Gonyo
USS John Rodgers (DD-574)
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
Three views from September and December 1941 of John Rodgers under construction on ways #6, Consolidated Steel Corp, Orange, TX. National Archives photos 19-N-126891/3.
John Chiquoine
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
USS John Rodgers underway on the Sabine River, Texas, en route to Galveston, 23 February 1943. She was the last tin can to leave the ConSteel yard with the 4-40mm/4-20mm battery, searchlights on the aft funnel and a fantail twin 40.
National Archives photos 19-N-41655/9
John Chiquoine
Rodgers 250kJohn Rodgers after her April 1943 refit at Charleston Navy Yard. A mount 20 and mounts 43 and 44 have been added, and the searchlight platforms moved to the forward funnel.
National Archives photo 80-G-68126
Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
USS John Rodgers (DD-574) underway off Charleston, SC, late April 1943. Though the photos are dated 29 April, Rodgers spent the enitrety of that day moored. The date must be 30 April, when she was underway for degaussing. Her War Diary for that day specifically mentions "taking official photograph of ship."
Robert Hurst/David Buell
Rodgers 85kOverhead detail of John Rodgers, late April 1943. Her refit at Charleston was just concluded and the fantail 40mm removed. Again, the photo is dated 29 April, but must have been taken 30 April.
View from DD-574's National Archives 19-LCM folder.
John Chiquoine
Rodgers 287kSkipper 'Hop' Parish addressing crew at a citation award or change of command ceremony, 1943 - 1944. From the Bob Lehman collection.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 129kView of John Rodgers after section and Squadron 25 underway from New Guinea, 07 May 1944. They were underway from off Cape Sudest at 1850 hours to escort transports to Guadalcanal. Photo by Bob Lehman.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 134kFormation for 'Hop' Parish receiving an award citation, late spring 1944. From the Bob Lehman collection.John Chiquoine
Rodgers
0557496
181kUSS Chenango (CVE-28) refueling USS John Rodgers on 24 June 1944. From mid to late June they both operated in Task Group 53.1, one of the amphibious troop sections intended to land on Guam. The Guam operation was postponed and in late June the vessels were brought back to Eniwetok. Air cover for that TG was alternately day to day from Chenango and Sangamon.
National Archives photo 80-G-321638
Rick Davis & John Chiquoine
Rodgers
0557497
145kAnother view of USS Chenango (CVE-28) refueling USS John Rodgers on 24 June 1944.
National Archives photo 80-G-321639
Rick Davis & John Chiquoine
Rodgers 171kReloading torpedoes at Espiritu Santo, August 1944. Rodgers underwent a tender availability there alongside Briareus (AR-12), 16-21 August. From the Bob Lehman collection.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 288kMuster on the fantail, summer 1944. From the Bob Lehman collection.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 230kThis is a portion of a Signal Corps photo taken in Humboldt Bay, New Guinea on 13 October 1944 by Howard F Klawitter USA aboard USS Derrick (YO-59). The destroyer in full view is USS John Rodgers in a 3d pattern. Most vessels in the anchorage departed for the Philippine invasion as TF78 within a couple hours from when this was taken. Klawitter himself rode USS PC-598 to Leyte and did not survive the Leyte campaign. Identified from deck logs, war diaries, and anchorage fixes.
National Archives photo SC260657.
Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
Rodgers 108kView of superstructure during overhaul in unidentified ARD floating drydock at Mare Island, December 1944. Rodgers was in refit at Mare Island, 24 November 1944 - 10 January 1945, and in drydock from 02-15 December. Squad Dog 25 Pennant at Foremast.
National Archives photo 19-N-77166.
John Chiquoine
Rodgers   Rodgers
Rodgers   Rodgers  
Close-in detail views of the John Rodgers Mare Island overhaul, taken from her National Archives 19N plan views of early January 1945.
John Chiquoine
Rodgers 105kForward plan view of USS John Rodgers (DD-574) at Mare Island, 09 January 1945. She was in overhaul at the yard, 24 November 1944 - 10 January 1945. USS Ammen (DD-527) is inboard and USS Walker (DD-517) is forward of John Rodgers. On 09 January, she was undergoing reapirs after a failed full power trial the day before, when her after cruising turbine bearing and forced draft blower failed.Darryl Baker
Rodgers 93kAft plan view of USS John Rodgers (DD-574) at Mare Island, 09 January 1945. She was in overhaul at the yard, 24 November 1944 - 10 January 1945. USS Ammen (DD-527) is inboard of John Rodgers.Darryl Baker
Rodgers 97kStern view of USS John Rodgers (DD-574) underway in San Francisco Bay, 11 January 1945. She got underway at 1400 hours for refresher training enroute to San Diego, where she arrived on the 13th.Darryl Baker
Rodgers 89kBow on view of USS John Rodgers (DD-574) underway in San Francisco Bay, 11 January 1945.Darryl Baker
Rodgers 141kUSS John Rodgers (DD-574) off Mare Island, 11 January 1945. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.Darryl Baker
Rodgers 200kThe "Jolly R" seen in smokescreen exercises off San Diego, January 1945. Photo by Tom McCann aboard USS Harrison.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 176kRescued pilot Ensign Joseph V. Matera, A-V(N) USNR is high-lined back to Bennington (CV-20), 12 February 1945. Matera had crashed his fighter attempting to land on the carrier the previous day and had been rescued by the destroyer.
National Archives photo 80-G-305170
John Chiquoine
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
Activity scenes aboard USS John Rodgers between February and August 1945 while operating with TG38.1/58.1. Still photos from film by ComDesRon 25 staff officer Lt Fairhurst.
John Chiquoine
Rodgers 128kJohn Rodgers in rough seas, taken by Bennington'S V3S Division, 15 February 1945. Rodgers' War Diary for this date mentions entering a heavy frontal zone, with ceiling below 2000 feet, and winds 20 to 35 knots.
National Archives photo 80-G-306457
John Chiquoine/Dave Schroeder
Rodgers 140kView from Bennington (CV-20) refueling John Rodgers, 15 February 1945. National Archives NNSP 80-G-306459John Chiquoine/Dave Schroeder
Rodgers 196kDetail view of John Rodgers' fantail and equipment from Bennington while refueling, 15 February 1945. Sam Ashare collection.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 30kStorm damage to Mount One while operating off Iwo Jima with TG58.1, 24 February 1945. At 1558 Rodgers took an unsually heavy sea which stove in the port side of the mount, causing minor personnel casualties and considerable flooding into the upper handling room. Flooding was controlled of portable submersible pumps until temporary repairs could be made. Wind and seas were reported as force six that day. John Chiquoine
Rodgers 183kAnother view of storm damage to Mount One while operating off Iwo Jima with TG58.1, 24 February 1945.John Chiquoine
Rodgers
0557495
115kUSS John Rodgers seen from a Bennington Avenger in Task Group 58.1 on an unknown date between February and April 1945. From a collection of Bennington V3S Div camera views of Sam AshareJohn Chiquoine
Rodgers 44kAA action view from Hornet (CV-12) of kamikaze exploding over John Rodgers and about to splash east of Kyushu, 14 May 1945. John Rodgers' War Diary reports: "At 0702 Rodgers exploded a Tony [Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien] diving on Bennington and strafing this vessel on the way in. Kill was made with automatics. Plane exploded about 50-75 yards on port side, the engine and plane parts passed over the ship and landed on starboard side. Some small plane parts and one .50 Cal. bullet were found aboard. No casualties and only superficial damage."
National Archives photo 80-G-331623.
John Chiquoine
Rodgers 68kAA Action view from Indiana (BB-58), showing kamikaze exploding over John Rodgers and about to splash, 0700 hours, 14 May 1945.Robert Hurst/John Chiquoine
Rodgers 69kAA Action seen from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), showing kamikaze exploding over USS John Rodgers and about to splash, 0700 hours, 14 May 1945. Many shipmates report being showered with bits and pieces of small debris from the disentegrated airplane. National Archives photo 80-G-324530John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder
Rodgers 177kAs above. Smoke from kamikaze hit and shell bursts are in distance beyond Bennington and John Rodgers. National Archives photo 80-G-331176John Chiquoine
Rodgers 93kView of John Rodgers on cruise from Pearl Harbor to Boston after war's end, October 1945.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 103kPortrait of crew taken while in nest at Colon, Panama, 08 October 1945. Ship was returning to the US East Coast. Photo distributed to crew.Tim Rizzuto/Anthony Finchum
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
Nests of Desron 23 and Desron25 destroyers at Coco Solo, Panama, 09 October 1945. They were on their cruise home from Japan to US East Coast ports for Navy Day activities. Outboard ship is John Rodgers, middle ship is Aulick (DD-569), and alongside pier is Charles Ausburne (DD-570). These three would later be in company again at the Philly mothball fleet in 1954.
Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
Rodgers 98kNewspaper clipping from the Boston Traveler, 17 October 1945.David Buell
Rodgers   Rodgers
As shipmates get ready for the liberty of their of lives, USS John Rodgers eases in to South Boston Naval Annex Pier One closing out her war cruises, 17 October 1945. USS New Mexico (BB-40) is being shifted by tugs at the near pier. "The entry into Boston Harbor was very colorful and gay. Many boats were out to meet us with flags flying and whistles blowing. They seemed almost as glad to see us as we were to get home. After nine months out of the States, it was a wonderful feeling to be in a U.S. port again."
Boston Public Library collection.
Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
Rodgers 252kView of John Rodgers from Cooper River bridge en route to Charleston Navy Yard for decomissioning, 03 November 1945. Distributed to crew, Nobby Brust collection.John Chiquoine
Rodgers 128kNest view of Converse (DD-509) and John Rodgers at the Charleston Navy Yard piers, November 1945. Photo by Swede Swenson, USS Thorn.Dave Schroeder/John Chiquoine
Rodgers 76kView of the destroyer piers at Charleston Naval Shipyard between July 1950 and August 1954. Harrison (DD-573), John Rodgers (DD-574), Thorn (DD-647), and Winslow (AG-127) are identified. Photo from USNI collection.John Chiquoine
ARM Cuitláhuac (E-01)
Rodgers
0557498
27kCuitláhuac (c.1476-1520) was the tenth tlatoani (emperor) of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, succeeding Moctezuma II. He ruled but eighty days, dying of unsepcified causes, perhaps smallpox brough to the New World by the Spaniards.
Image of Cuitláhuac from the Nahuatl language manuscript Primeros Memoriales, via wikipedia.
Dave Wright
Rodgers   Rodgers   Rodgers
EAM Cuitláhuac (E-01), taken by the late Dr. Joseph M. McDonough, when the destroyer visited San Francisco, circa 2000. Joe served as a Sonarman Third Class (SoM3c), aboard the USS Twiggs (DD591) from her commissioning until she was lost on June 16, 1945 Joe is pictured standing on the pier.
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Rodgers 157kThis is a photographic condition detail study (18 images) of the only existing tall-bridge Fletcher-Class tin can, current as of March, 2010. She now is the ex-BAM Cuitlahuac (E-01, ex-E02, ex-F2); ex-USS John Rodgers (DD-574). Photos are from the efforts of the USS John Rodgers Association.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 168kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 161kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 155kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 149kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 130kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 140kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 125kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 113kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 123kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 140kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 149kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 161kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 192kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 125kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 134kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 185kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association
Rodgers 200kAs above.USS John Rodgers (DD-574) Association

USS JOHN RODGERS DD-574 History
View This Vessels DANFS History entry at the Naval History & Heritage Command website

Commanding Officers
01CDR Herman Oliff Parish (USNA 1926)09 February 1943 - 08 August 1944
02CDR James Gilbert Franklin (USNA 1933)08 August 1944 - 31 December 1945
03LCDR Robert Larue Tully (D) USNR31 December 1945 - 25 May 1946
Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: John Chiquoine
Address: 323 Wellington Road, West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610)692-2627
E-mail: dd573@aol.com
Next Reunion: Wilmington, NC, September 29 - October 3 2010

Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 02 July 2021