[Non-Sequitur]

Here is a bit of fun trivia for you. The USS Ward (DD-139), Lt. W.W. Outerbridge USN, commanding, is credited with firing the first shot of the war. After Pearl Harbor the Ward went on to play a part in several campaigns in the Pacific. She was converted to a fast transport ship (APD) and as such was involved in the landings in the Phillippeans. In early December 1944 the USS Ward was attacked and damaged by a kamikaze attack. USS O'Brien (DD-725) was ordered alongside to render assistance. The salvage attempt failed and the commanding officer of the USS O'Brien was ordered to sink the Ward with gunfire. The commaning officer of the O'Brien? None other than Commander W.W. Outerbridge, USN. True story.

[rmlew]

Here is a bit of fun trivia for you. The USS Ward (DD-139), Lt. W.W. Outerbridge USN, commanding, is credited with firing the first shot of the war. After Pearl Harbor the Ward went on to play a part in several campaigns in the Pacific. She was converted to a fast transport ship (APD) and as such was involved in the landings in the Phillippeans. In early December 1944 the USS Ward was attacked and damaged by a kamikaze attack. USS O'Brien (DD-725) was ordered alongside to render assistance. The salvage attempt failed and the commanding officer of the USS O'Brien was ordered to sink the Ward with gunfire. The commaning officer of the O'Brien? None other than Commander W.W. Outerbridge, USN. True story.

It gets better. The USS Ward was sunk on December 7th 1944, a few hours short of the anniversary of it firing the first shots of the war.