Courtney DE-1021

Courtney

Henry A. Courtney, born 6 January 1916 in Duluth, Minn, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve in February 1940. As a company commander on Guadalcanal in 1942, he shared in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the First Marine Division. While serving as executive officer of a battalion of the Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa, he was killed in action after exhibiting great courage and self sacrifice leading a successful night attack against enemy positions on Sugar Loaf Hill 15 May 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and a second Presidential Unit Citation that was earned by the Sixth Marine Division.

(DE-1021: dp. 1 280, 1. 314'6", b. 36'9", dr. 9'3", s. 25
k.; cpl. 170; a. Classified; cl. Dealey)

Courtney (DE 1021) was launched 2 November 1955 by Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Mich.; sponsored by Mrs. H. A. Courtney; commissioned 24 September 1956, Lieutenant Commander C. W. Coe in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.

Joining Escort Squadron 10 at Newport, R.I., 26 April 1957, Courtney operated from that port exercising in antisubmarine warfare and convoy escort techniques in the British West Indies until 3 September. She arrived at Milford Haven, Wales, 14 September for maneuvers with ships of other NATO navies in the Irish Sea, visiting Plymouth, England, and Brest France, before returning to Newport 21 October 1957 to resume local operations. She took part in hunter-killer exercises off North Carolina and in convoy exercises extending into the waters off Florida.

Courtney sailed from Newport 1 April 1958 and called at Reykjavik, Iceland, on the way to Bodo, Norway, to conduct exercises with ships of the Norwegian Navy. She put in to Antwerp, Belgium, and Argentia, Newfoundland, and returned to Newport 14 May. From 7 August to 30 September she cruised in the Atlantic with her squadron on convoy escort and screening duties, visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 15 to 19 September. Again cruising to South American waters from February through March 1969, she called at ports in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, and exercised with ships of the Colombian and Peruvian navies. NATO exercises in August and September 1959 found her calling in Newfoundland, Northern Ireland, England, and Portugal. Through the first half of 1960, she cruised along the east coast on a variety of exercises, including an amphibious operation with Marines on the coast of North Carolina.

From August through December Courtney participated in Operation "Unites," the combined antisubmarine training cruise of the American nations.

The USS Courtney was part of the Nine Dealeys Class ships that were based in Newport Rhode Island from 1954 through 1973. You can find more information about the this and other Dealey ships on the Newport Dealeys website.Click Here!
There will be a reunion for the Newport Dealey ships on Oct 20-23, 2005 in Jacksonville, FL.
Please Contact:
Charles Holzschuh
14396-A Canalview Dr,
Delray Beach,FL 33484
Phone 561-499-2818.
Email:norchar1@juno.com.