>From the "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships," 

(1969) Vol. 4. pp.145-146.





LOUGH





	John Cady Lough, born in Geneseo, Ill., 22 November 

1915, attended Illinois Wesleyan University and enlisted in 

the Naval Reserve 2 December 1940.  Appointed aviation 

cadet 6 March 1941, he trained at Miami and was 

commissioned ensign 1 November 1941.  As a member of 

Scouting Squadron 6 in aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE (CV-6), 

he was lost in the Battle of Midway, 4 June 1942, when his 

squadron played a significant part in halting the advance 

of the Japanese eastward across the Pacific.  He was 

posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for courageous devotion 

to duty in the face of formidable antiaircraft fire and 

fierce fighter opposition.





DE-586

Displacement:  1,450 t.

Length:  306'

Beam:  37'

Draft:  9'8"

Speed:  24 k.

Complement:  186

Armament:  2 5"; 4 40mm; 10 20mm; 3 21” torpedo tubes;

	2 depth charge tracks;

	8 depth charge projectors;

	1 hedge hog

Class:  RUDDEROW







	LOUGH (DE-586) was laid down 8 December 1943 by 

Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Mass.; launched 

22 January 1944; sponsored by Miss Rose Anne Lough, sister 

of Ensign Lough; and commissioned at Boston 2 May 1944, Lt. 

Comdr. Blaney C. Turner in command.



	LOUGH shookdown off Bermuda and in June 1944 began 

coastal escort from Norfolk to New York, then guarded a 

convoy to Bizerte and another back to the United States.  

She arrived Espiritu Santo from Panama 1 November and joined 

the service force of the 3rd Fleet as escort from the 

Solomons and New Guinea to Manus, where she witnessed the 

disastrous explosion of ammunition ship MOUNT HOOD (AE-11) 

20 November and participated in the fruitless search for 

survivors.



	Rendezvousing 10 November at Hollandia, New Guinea, she 

escorted 7th Fleet Commander Adm. T. C. Kinkaid for the 

great amphibious landing at San Pedro Bay, Leyte.  Arriving 

25 November she fought off her first air attack almost at 

once.  She served on escort and patrol in the Philippines 

until the fighting ended, twice voyaging to Hollandia for 

resupply echelons.



	While protecting the landing of the 11th Airborne 

Division on Nasugbu 31 January 1945, LOUGH engaged a swarm 

of 20 or more 15’ suicide boats armed with depth charges 

which attacked the screen, sinking an undetermined number of 

the enemy.  She then pulled from the water 63 survivors of 

less fortunate PC-1129.  Two nights later, LOUGH and 

destroyer escort PRESLEY (DE-371), fearing a similar attack, 

sank two friendly PT boats which approached without 

identifying themselves.



	After hostilities ceased, she left Manila 24 August on 

the first of a series of escort missions to Okinawa which 

continued until 28 November, when she left for Eniwetok, 

Pearl Harbor, and San Pedro, Calif., arriving 18 December.  

LOUGH decommissioned at San Diego 24 June 1946 and entered 

the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Stockton, where she remains 

into 1969.



	LOUGH received three battle stars for World War II 

service.



	[Stricken from the Navy Register on 1 November 1969, 

LOUGH was sold in October 1970.



K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of 

the U. S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.233.]





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com