>Bronstein DE-189
Bronstein
Born in Manchester, N. H., 14 April 1915, Ben Richard Bronstein was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Naval Reserve in 1941. He was killed in action 28 February 1942 when Jacob Jones (DD-130) was sunk by an enemy submarine off Cape May, N. J.
(DE-189: dp. 1240; 1. 306'; b. 36'8"; dr. 11'8"; s. 21 k.;
cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 3 21" 'IT.; cl. Cannon)
Bronstein (DF,189) was launched 14 November 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newark, N. J.; sponsored by Mrs. Dina Bronstein Kurtz, mother of Lieutenant (junior grade) Bronstein; and commissioned 13 December 1643, Lieutenant S. H. Kenney in command.
Bronstein reported to Norfolk and was assigned to TG 21.16, a hunter-killer group. On 16 February 1944 the Task Group left Norfolk on an anti-submarine sweep of the North Atlantic. On the night of 29 February numerous attacks were made by the group on a pack of German submarines. Early in the morning of 1 March Bronstein attacked U-709 on the surface with gun fire and, after it submerged, with depth charges. Bronstein was assisted by Thomas (DF 102) and Bostwick (DE
103) and the attack resulted in the sinking of U-7109 in 49-10' N., 26-00' W. Later In the day Bronstein sank U--603 in 48*55' N., 26*10' W.
After this battle the Task Group went to Casablanca to refuel. On 11 March they departed in search of a fueling submarine that was reported operating with several other enemy submarines in the Atlantic off the Cape Verde Islands. On 16 March aircraft from Block Island (CVE21) attacked a surfaced German submarine which promptly submerged. Corry (DD-463) was dispatched to the scene and at daybreak Bronstein was ordered to assist Corry. The -two vessels attacked continuously for about three hours and when the submarine broke surface she was subjected to heavy gunfire. The U-801 sank quickly in 16*42' N., 30*26' W., and 39 men including the commanding officer were taken prisoner.
On 22 March Bronstein and Breentan were ordered to Dakar, French West Africa, arriving 25 March. Each ship received 15 tons of gold and delivered It to New York, arriving 3 April. On 13 April Bronstein joined TF 60 and escorted a convoy from New York to Bizerte, Tunisia, and return.
On 10 June Bronstein and Escort Division 48 departed New York Navy Yard and joined Card (CVF-111) as TG 21.10. The first assignment took them south of Newfoundland to track down a U-boat. The U-233 was sunk on 5 July 1944 by Thomas (DF-102) and Baker (DF-190) and the Task Group returned to New York.
Between July 1944 and May 1945 Bronstein operated with TG 21.10 searching for enemy submarines in the Caribbean and Casco Bay areas. On 9 May 1945 she reported to Commander, Fleet Air, Quonset Point, R. I., as screen and plane guard ship for carriers during the qualification of pilots in carrier landings. Bronstein was overhauled at Boston in early October 1945 and steamed to Green Cove Springs, Fla., where she went out of commission in reserve 5 November 1945. She was transferred to Uruguay 3 May 1952 under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.
Bronstein received four battle stars for her World War 11 service.