Borum DE-790

Borum

Born in Norfolk, Va., 8 December 1907, John Randolph Borum was appointed a Lieutenant (junior grade), USNR, in 1942. Lieutenant (junior grade) Borum was killed in the wreck of a merchantman 20 July 1943 on which he was armed guard officer.

(DE-790: dp. 1400; 1. 306'; b. 36'10"; dr. 13'6"; s. 24 k.;
cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 3 21" TT.; cl. John C. Butler)

Borum (DE-790) was launched 14 August 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Tex.; sponsored by Mrs. W. H. Ferguson, wife of Commander Ferguson; and
commissioned 30 November 1943, Lieutenant Commander J. K. Davis, USNR, in command.

Borum spent her entire World War II service in the Atlantic 'Fleet. Until March 1944 she served as an escort vessel along the east coast and in the Caribbean, as well as a training vessel in Chesapeake Bay. She departed New York 8 March 1944 for the British Isles to train for the coming invasion of Europe and to escort convoys between British ports. From 6 to 22 June 1944 she screened the convoys carrying troops and supplies from Britain to the Normandy beachhead.

For most of the next year Borum helped blockade the Channel Islands and protect the shipping headed for Cherbourg and Le Havre, France. She assisted British forces in their occupation of the Channel Islands (11-12 May 1945). Borun departed Europe in June 1945 and, after a short period as a training vessel in Chesapeake Bay during July, she prepared to join the Pacific Fleet. Following the Japanese surrender her orders were canceled and she reverted to training duty with submarines operating out of New London, Conn., and then acted as plane guard for Croatan (CVE-25) and Solomons (CVE-67). In January 1946 she joined Escort Division 4, but on 28 March began inactivation at Charleston Naval Shipyard. She arrived at Green Cove Springs, Fla., 29 April and was placed out of commission 15 June 1946.

Borum received one battle star for her participation in the Invasion of Normandy.