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John Joseph Brennan was born in Philadelphia on 14 June 1920. He attended West Catholic High School and graduated in 1936. Following his graduation he matriculated at La Salle College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting before enlisting in the Naval Reserve on 6 July 1940. He trained in the former battleship Wyoming (AG-17) before he terminated his enlistment to accept an appointment as a midshipman in the Naval Reserve on 10 August 1940. A member of the first class to be educated at the Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School located in Brooklyn, New York, he trained for three months at the floating armory that had been created out of the former battleship, Illinois, and reported for duty on the Neutrality Patrol in USS Quincy (CA-39) on 29 November 1940.
After serving in that heavy cruiser for almost a year, he was detached on 15 December 1941 to join Armed Guard Crew Number 34 at the Armed Guard Center, New York. He reported for duty on 20 December 1941 and, on the last day of 1941, received orders detailing him to command the 24 gunners and three communications men of the armed guard unit assigned to the freighter S.S. Otho. On 3 April 1942, while the ship steamed alone off the eastern seaboard, the German Type VII submarine U-754 torpedoed her and sent her to the bottom. He was one of the first men killed during the encounter with the U-Boat. Ensign John J. Brennan was the first La Salle man to lose his life in the line of duty.
USS Brennan (DE-13) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
(Photo from the archives of La Salle University thanks to Brother Joseph L. Grabenstein, Archivist) |
Bill Gonyo |
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22 August 1942: A view of the launching cradle of HMS Bentinck (BDE-13) just prior to her launching at Mare Island. (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4952-42) |
Darryl Baker |
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22 August 1942: This photo, and the one below are of the north building ways at Mare Island taken when HMS Bentinck (BDE-13), later USS Brennan (DE-13), was launched. The bows of all DE in the picture are from right to left are HMS Bentinck (BDE-13), HMS Berry (BDE-14), HMS Blackwood (BDE-15) and HMS Byard (BDE-16). Note that Bentinck is flying the Union Jack. (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4966-42) |
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as above, photo taken as the launching party and crowd arrive (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4952-67) |
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22 August 1942: Distinguished guests at the launching of HMS Bentinck (BDE-13) at Mare Island. From left to right: Radm J. W. S. Dorling, RN (Senior Officer of the British Supply Council in North America), Mrs. W. L. Friedell, Radm W. L. Friedell, USN (Shipyard Commandant), Miss Cynthia J. Carr (Sponsor), Capt. Frederick Crisp, USN (Yard Manager), Miss Ruth Zimmerman (Maid of Honor) and the Honorable Ralph L. Carr (Governor of Colorado). (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4994-42) |
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22 August 1942: The Sponsor and Maid of Honor for the launching of HMS Bentinck (BDE-13) pictured on the day of the launching at Mare Island. Left to right are: Miss Ruth Zimmerman (Maid of Honor) and Miss Cynthia J. Carr (Sponsor). (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4986-42) |
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22 August 1942: Miss Cynthia J. Carr (Sponsor) christens HMS Bentinck (BDE-13) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 Aug 1942. (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4990-42) |
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22 August 1942: The HMS Bentinck (BDE-13) is waterborne after her launching at Mare Island on 22 Aug 1942. (US Navy Photo #DE-13-4995-42) |
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3 February 1943: USS Brennan (DE-13) is seen off Mare Island shortly after commissioning. (US Navy Photo #DE-13-922-43) |
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undated wartime image |
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undated wartime image |
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undated wartime image |
Russ Padden |
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circa 1943 |
Bob Hurst |
