Destroyer Division 15—Benham-class Lang (DD 399), Stack (DD 406), Sterett (DD 407) and

DesRon 15—Lang, Stack, Sterett and Wilson.

Wilson (DD 408)—was formed as the lead division of Destroyer Squadron 8, operated in the Atlantic and Mediterranean with Wasp (CV 7) and, in June 1942, escorted her to the Pacific. There:
 • Following the Guadalcanal landings, Wilson and Helm were assigned to screen cruisers Vincennes, Astoria and Quincy. All three cruisers were sunk at the ensuing Battle of Savo Island 8 August; Wilson was not hit.
 • On 10 September, after ships of Destroyer Squadron 12 fleeted in to join the Wasp task force in sufficient numbers, DesDiv 15 was relieved as Wasp’s escort. Five days later, Wasp was lost to a submarine torpedo.
 • On 12–13 November, Sterett was attached to Task Force 67 and third in line among the van destroyers at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, where she engaged battleship Hiei at close range. Damaged in the stern by heavy-caliber enemy shells, she received a Presidential Unit Citation.
   In August 1943, DesDiv 15 under Comdr. Rodger Simpson was attached to Task Group 31.2, amphibious force commander RAdm. “Ping” Wilkinson’s “striking force.” On 6–7 August—less Wilson—the division formed Support Division “A-2” under task group Comdr. Frederick Moosbrugger at the Battle of Vella Gulf.
   In 1944, the ships of DesDiv 15 plus Ellet (DD 398) were reassigned as DesDiv 4 in Destroyer Squadron 2.