The USS Charles Ausburne (DD 570), Flagship of the famed "Little Beaver" Squadron, is a 2100 ton destroyer of the FLETCHER class. The ship was built by the Consolidated Steel Corporation, Ltd., Orange, Texas and was commissioned 24 November 1942, Commander Luther K. Reynolds, U.S.N., Commanding Officer. The Ship had its shake-down cruise at Guantanamo, Cuba and Casco Bay, Maine. During March the AUSBURNE joined a Task Force, escorting a convoy from New York to Casablanca, Africa to Gibraltar, and then back to New York. In May 1943, the Ausburne joined the Pacific Fleet, passing through the Panama Canal.

During the period from June 1943 to 15 October 1943, the AUSBURNE operated in the Solomon Islands in the Third Fleet under Commander Task Force 31. She participated in several night anti-aircraft actions and barge hunts.

In October 1943, eight destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 23 joined with four cruisers of Cruiser Division 12 to form Task Force 39. The commander of Destroyer Squadron 23 was Captain Arliegh A. Burke, U.S.N. in U.S.S. CHARLES AUSBURNE (DD570). It was for action during the next four months that the CHARLES AUSBURNE received the Presidential Unit Citation.

In March 1944, the AUSBURNE joined the 5th Fleet as a member of Task Force 58. During the period March-August 1944, she participated in the following:

1. Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai Raids.
2. Truk, Satawan, Ponape Raids.
3. Capture and occupation of Hollandia, New Guinea.
4. Neutralization raids of Japanese bases in the Marianas.
5. First Bonins Raid.
6. Capture and occupation of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian.

On 1 June 1944, Lieutenant-Commander Howard K. Baker, U.S.N., relieved Commander Luther K. Reynolds, U.S.N. as Commanding Officer.

In August the AUSBURNE was ordered to the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California for an overhaul period, arriving at Mare Island 17 August 1944.

The AUSBURNE departed San Francisco 5 October 1944 and proceeded to Pearl Harbor for a brief training period and then to Leyte, P.I., arriving there 13 December 1944. The AUSBURNE was assigned to the amphibious forces of Task Force 78. During the period 13 December 1944 to 27 October 1945, the Ausburne participated in the following:

1. Occupation and re-supply of Mindoro, P.I.
2. Night surface action 7 January 1945, resulting in the sinking of a Japanese destroyer.
3. Landing in Lingayen Gulf, P.I. 9-10 January 1945.
4. Bombardment of Lingayen Gulf - 10 January 1945.
5. Re-supply echelon to Lingayen.
6. Landing on Panay 17 March 1945.
7. Landing on Negros 29 March 1945.
8. Okinawa 16 May 1945 - various A.A. and Radar Picket Stations.
   1. Landing on Iheya Shima.
   2. Landing on Aguni Shima.
9. Under way in company with Task Force 11 en route to Washington D.C., via Pearl Harbor, and Panama Canal, 10 September 1945.
10. Arrived Washington D.C. for Navy Day Celebration and Presidential Citation.

Source info - A booklet entitled:

Forward to Enemy surface units sunk....

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