User:Busaccsb/California fishes

USS Porterfield (DD-682) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy.

Construction and commissioning=

She was laid down by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding, San Pedro, California 12 December 1942; launched 13 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs Lewis B. Porterfield and commissioned 30 October 1943, with Commander J. C. Woefel in command.

Namesake

Lewis Broughton Porterfield was born on 30 October 1879 in Greenville, Alabama. He was appointed Naval Cadet from Alabama on 8 September 1898. He became a Midshipman in July 1902, Ensign on 2 May 1904, Lieutenant on 2 May 1907, Lieutenant Commander on 4 March 1915, Commander on 1 July 1919, Captain on 16 February 1925 and rear admiral on 1 July 1937.

His commands included the patrol boats USS Albatross and USS Venetia, the gunboat USS Wheeling and Destroyer Squadron 11. He served finally as Chief of Staff in the 12th Naval District. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for anti-submarine operations during World War I while commanding USS Venetia. He died in Oakland, California, on 5 April 1942.