John Stuart Blue
John S Blue
Born in New York City 29 August 1902, John Stuart Blue graduated from the Naval Academy in 1925. He was assigned to the USS Memphis later that same year. In June 1927, he was present when the USS Memphis was dispatched to Europe to bring Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St Louis back to the United States after his historic trans-Atlantic flight. A great reception was held at the dock to welcome Lindbergh home, being greeted at the dock by President Calvin Coolidge.
He was the assigned to the USS Nokomis late in 1927. This former Yacht was used in the Caribbean and Mexican waters to conduct surveys for the Bureau of Navigation, Hydrographic Office. He served aboard this ship until 1929 when he was transfer to the USS Salt Lake City. In 1931 he was transferred to Washington DC where he served in the Hydrographic Office and as aide to the White House. During 1933 he commanded the Presidential yacht Sequoia (AG-23). He also accompanied President Roosevelt on a cruise on the USS Houston in 1934.
Between 1934 and 1940 he served on the USS Louisville, was on the Flag Staff of COMDR CRUISERS on the USS Concord, was aide to Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, and on the USS Porter as the Executive Officer, reaching the rank of Lt Commander in 1940.
Between August 1940 and January 1942 he commanded the USS Palmer (DD-161) and then reported to the light cruiser Juneau (CL-52) as navigator. Lieutenant Commander Blue was killed in action 13 November 1942 when Juneau sank during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, after having just found out he was a father of a newborn baby daughter.
The Destroyer USS Blue (DD-744) was launched on November 28,1943 at Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island NY, co-sponsored by Mrs J.S. Blue and Miss Eleanor Stuart Blue, widow and daughter of Lt Commander Blue.
The pictures below were graciously furnished by Lt Cmdr Blue's family.
He was the assigned to the USS Nokomis late in 1927. This former Yacht was used in the Caribbean and Mexican waters to conduct surveys for the Bureau of Navigation, Hydrographic Office. He served aboard this ship until 1929 when he was transfer to the USS Salt Lake City. In 1931 he was transferred to Washington DC where he served in the Hydrographic Office and as aide to the White House. During 1933 he commanded the Presidential yacht Sequoia (AG-23). He also accompanied President Roosevelt on a cruise on the USS Houston in 1934.
Between 1934 and 1940 he served on the USS Louisville, was on the Flag Staff of COMDR CRUISERS on the USS Concord, was aide to Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, and on the USS Porter as the Executive Officer, reaching the rank of Lt Commander in 1940.
Between August 1940 and January 1942 he commanded the USS Palmer (DD-161) and then reported to the light cruiser Juneau (CL-52) as navigator. Lieutenant Commander Blue was killed in action 13 November 1942 when Juneau sank during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, after having just found out he was a father of a newborn baby daughter.
The Destroyer USS Blue (DD-744) was launched on November 28,1943 at Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island NY, co-sponsored by Mrs J.S. Blue and Miss Eleanor Stuart Blue, widow and daughter of Lt Commander Blue.
The pictures below were graciously furnished by Lt Cmdr Blue's family.