Victor Blue was born in Richmond County, N.C., 6 December 1865 and graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1887. Lieutenant Blue was advanced five numbers for intelligence missions in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation (1913-16 and 1919) and commanded USS Texas BB-35 during her service with the 6th Battle Squadron, Rear Admiral Blue retired in 1919 and died 23 January 1928.
After spending her first year in shakedown and training cruises along the east coast and in the Caribbean, USS Blue DD-387 sailed for the Pacific in August 1938 to become flag ship of Destroyer Division 7, Battle Force. She exercised with the Battle Fleet in west coast waters until April 1940, when she accompanied her division to Pearl Harbor. Except for an overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard (February-March 1941) and exercises out of San Diego during April, she remained based at Pearl Harbor, until WW II broke out.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 caught USS Blue DD-387 in port, but she safely made her way to sea with only four officers on board (all Ensigns). She served with the offshore patrol in the approaches to Pearl Harbor during December 1941-January 1942 and then joined USS Enterprise (CA6) for the attack on llotje, Nlaloelap, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands (1 February 1942) and the Wake Island attack (24 February). During March-June 1942 USS Blue DD-387, escorted convoys between Pearl Harbor and San Francisco and then proceeded to Wellington, New Zealand, where she arrived 18 July. She joined TG 62.2 for the invasion of Guadalcanal (7 August), providing fire-support and screening. Although present, she took no active part in the Battle of Savo Island (9 August). After patrolling off Nounica, New Caledonia, (17 August) USS Blue DD-387 returned to Guadalcanal, arriving 21 August. At 0359, 22 August, while patrollingt in Ironbottom Sound she was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer Kawikaze. The explosion wrecked USS Blue DD-387, main engines, shafts, and steering gear, as well as killing nine men and wounding 21. Throughout the 22nd and 23rd unsuccessful attempts were made to tow USS Blue DD-387 to Tulagi. She was scuttled at 2221 on 23 August 1942 after valiant attempts to save her failed.
USS Blue DD-387 received five battle stars for her nine months of service in WW II.
The Second USS Blue DD-744 was launched 28 November 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Staten Island N.Y.; cosponsored by Mrs. J.S. Blue and Miss Eleanor Stuart Blue, widow and daughter respectively, of Lieutenant Commander Blue; and commissioned 20 March 1944, Commander L. Ensey in command.
USS Blue DD-744 reported to the Pacific Fleet in July 1944 and joined TF 58 at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. While screening the fast carrier task forces, USS Blue DD-744 took part in the Volcanos-Bonin-Jap raid (31 August-9 September 1944); capture of the southern Palaus (6 September-14 October);Phillipine Islands raids (9-24 September); Luzon raids (5-6,l3-14 and 18 November and 14-16 December); Formosa raids (3-4,9, and 15 January 1945); Luzon raids (6-7 January); China coast raids (12-16 January); Honshu and the Nansei Shoto raids (15-26 February and 1 March); Iwo Jima assault (15 February-4 March); and conquest of Okinawa (17 March-6 June).USS Blue DD-744 was damaged by the 5 June typhoon off Okinawa and retired to Leyte for repairs. Her repairs were completed in time for the destroyer to join the 3rd Fleet for its attacks against the Japanese home islands (10 July-15 August)
On 27 August USS Blue DD-744 captured the 5223-ton submarine I-400 off the coast of Honshu and brought her into port. She steamed into Tokyo Bay 2 September and remained at anchor at Yokosuka Naval Base for two weeks. She then steamed to San Francisco arriving 5 October 1945 and shortly thereafter sailed to Puget Sound Navy Yard for a complete overhaul.
USS Blue DD-744 completed her overhaul in January 1946 and was assigned to Destroyer Division 92, 7th Fleet. On 10 February she departed the west coast for Asiatic waters, via Pearl Harbor, Guam, and the Philippines, and arrived on the China coast 13 May. During the remainder of the year she cruised in the Yellow Sea, Philippine waters, and around the Marianas Islands engaged in tactical and hunter-killer anti-submarine warfare exercises and performed patrol duty. She returned to the United States early in 1947 and on 14 February was placed out of commission in reserve at San Diego.
On 14 May 1949, USS Blue DD-744 was recommissioned and assigned to Destroyer Division 72, Pacific Fleet. After undergoing overhaul at San Franciso Naval Shipyard between June and September, she returned to Pacific Reserve Fleet and was decommissioned at San Diego 12 December 1949.
The USS Blue DD-744 was again placed in commission 15 September 1950 and reported to Destroyer Division 131, Pacific Fleet. After engaging in training exercises off the coast of California, she departed San Diego early in 1951 and arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, 23 January. She operated in Korean and Japanese waters until August. During this period she steamed with TF 77 off the east coast of Korea, carrying out screening, life guard, and fire support duties. Late in 1951, USS Blue DD-744 proceeded to the United States for a general overhaul at San Francisco Naval Shipyard. She returned to the combat area in April 1952 and resumed operations with TF 77 off the coast of Korea. During September-October, with TG 95.20 and TF 76, she performed patrol duty and provided gunfire support during salvage operations.
Returning to the United States in November 1952, she underwent overhaul and engaged in schedule exercises off the coast of California until June 1953. On 13 June she departed Long Beach, California, and arrived at Yokosuka 7 July. On the 17th she resumed screening operation with TF 77 off the east coast of Japan with TG 96.7 and patrolled off Formosa until 19 October when she returned to Korea. She returned to the west coast (Long Beach, Calif - her home port) in December 1953.
Since that time USS Blue DD-744 has carried out the normal operating routine of the Pacific Fleet destroyers. She had conducted several tours of the Far East and during the intervals between these cruises has conducted operations and type training along the west coast of the United States.
USS Blue DD-744 received six battle stars for her World War II service and six battle stars for her service off Korea.
Her final resting place, off of the coast of California was accomplished in March 1977 when she was used as a target and sunk to her grave
