Eberle DD- 430

Eberle

Edward Walter Eberle born 17 August 1864 in Denton, Tex, was a member of the Naval Academy class of 1885. His sea duty included service in Oregon during her historic dash around Cape Horn to join the fleet at Santiago de Cuba and in the battle there with the Spanish fleet 3 July 1898. Other highlights of a distinguished career included duty as superintendent of the Naval Academy, in command of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets; and as Chief of Naval Operations from 1923 to 1927. Rear Admiral Eberle died in Washington, D.C., 6 July 1929.

(DD-430 dp. 1,620; 1. 347'g"; b. 36'1"- dr. 11'10", a. S3 k.; cpl. 208; a. 5 5", 10 21" tt., 6 dcp., 2 dct.; cl. Benson)

Eberle (DD-430) was launched 14 September 1940 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Miss Mildred Eberle, granddaughter of Rear Admiral Eberle; and commissioned 4 December 1940, Lieutenant Commander E. R. Gardner, Jr., in command.

After training in the Caribbean and along the east coast, Eberle was assigned to patrol duty off Bermuda until the end of August 1941, when she began to escort convoys to Newfoundland, Iceland and far northern bases. She guarded the vital western Atlantic end of the lifeline to Britain before and after American entry into war. Once she reached Scotland. Returning to Norfolk 23 August 1942, she sailed the 25th, escorting tankers by way of Galveston to Cristabal and another convoy from Trinidad to Belem, and back to Norfolk 8 October.

Eberle sortied from Norfolk 25 October 1942 for the invasion of north Africa, and gave bombardment and fire support for the landings at Mehedia, French Morocco 8 November. Returning to Norfolk 27 November, she sailed 26 December for South Atlantic patrol, based on Recife, Brazil. On 10 March 1943 she intercepted the German blockade runner Karin. When Eberle boarded, demolition charges set by the Germans exploded, killing half the 14-man boarding party outright. The remaining seven persisted in their heroic efforts to save the Karin and obtain information until fire and further explosions forced them to abandon ship. They and 72 prisoners were picked up from the water by Eberle

After overhaul at Charleston, Eberle returned to escort duty, making five voyages to north African ports between 13 April 1943 and 31 January 1944. She returned to Oran 22 February and after amphibious training, arrived at Naples 11 March, her base for patrol and bombardment until May. On 20 April she broke up an attack by German E-boats on the transport anchorage sinking one and damaging three others so badly that they were subsequently beached.

Eberle continued patrol and escort duty in the Mediterranean, then sailed from Malta 13 August 1944 for the invasion of southern France the 15th, where she saw action. On 21 August she bombarded He de Porquerolles until a white flag was seen. A landing force took 58 prisoners of war whose escape boats had been destroyed by Eberle's fire, 14 more Germans surrendered the following day.

Returning to New York 6 November 1944, Eberle escorted two convoys to Oran by April 1945. After overhaul and training she sailed from New York 8 June for the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor 20 July to join Antietam (CV-36) for plane guard duty. She departed 1 November for Alaskan waters and called at Petropavlovsk, (Russian) Kamchatka, from 1 to 5 December, before returning to Pearl Harbor the 15th.

Eberle left Pearl Harbor 6 January 1946 and reached Charleston, S.C., 8 February. She was placed out of commission in reserve there 3 June 1946. On 12 August she was assigned to the Naval Reserve Training program in the 3D Naval District. After being towed to New York in September, she was placed "in-service" 13 January 1947 and carried Naval Reservists on cruises to Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. During this time she was placed in commission in reserve 19 May 1950 and in full commission 21 November 1950. Eberle arrived at Boston 21 January 1951, was decommissioned the following day and transferred to Greece under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. She serves in the Greek navy as Niki.

Eberle received three battle stars for World War II service.