USS Hoel

Three ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Hoel in honor of William R. Hoel, a naval officer in the American Civil War:

USS Hoel (DD-533)

USS Hoel (DD-533) was a World War II-era Fletcher-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy, named after Lieutenant Commander William R. Hoel.

Hoel was launched 19 December 1942 by the Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, California, sponsored by Mrs. Charles Bunker Crane, Jr., granddaughter of the namesake; and commissioned 29 July 1943, Commander William Dow Thomas, USN, in command.

History

Hoel sailed from San Francisco Bay 16 August 1943 for shakedown training in operating areas out of San Diego during which she made seven depth charge runs on an underwater sound contact with unknown results. After returning to Mare Island Naval Shipyard 17 September 1943 for final alterations, she cleared San Francisco 26 October 1943 as a part of the screen for a convoy which reached Pearl Harbor 31 October 1943 where Hoel reported to Captain A. O. Cook, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 47 (DesRon 47), who then shifted his flag to her from USS Heermann (DD-532).

Fifth Fleet, which was then preparing to take the Gilbert Islands in Operation Galvanic, assigned Hoel to Admiral Kelly Turner's Northern attack force Task Force 52 (TF 52). She joined USS Morris (DD-417), USS Franks (DD-554), and USS Hughes (DD-410) and USS Revenge (AM-110) in guarding Air Support Group 52.3 composed of the escort carriers USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), USS Coral Sea (CVE-57), and USS Corregidor (CVE-58).

USS Hoel (DDG-13)

USS Hoel (DDG-13), named for Lieutenant Commander William R. Hoel USN (1824–1879), was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer.

Hoel was laid down by Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan, on 3 August 1959, launched on 4 August 1960 by Mrs. Harry H. Long, granddaughter of Lieutenant Commander Hoel and commissioned on 16 June 1962, Commander Allen W. Slifer in command.

Hoel served as plane guard for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, participated in Sea Dragon operations, patrolled on Search and rescue duties and carried out Naval Gunfire Support missions during the Vietnam War.

History

1960s

After fitting out at Boston, Hoel got underway for her first homeport, San Diego, putting in at Norfolk, Virginia; Mayport and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Guantanamo Bay; Cartagena, Colombia; Canal Zone; and Acapulco, Mexico, during the voyage. During the passage from Cartagena to the Canal Zone she came upon sailing yacht Stardrift becalmed and adrift en route to Sydney, Australia, from London. Hoel towed the 36-foot (11 m) craft 100 miles (161 km) to safety in Panama.