The second Fanning, DD 385, was launched 18 September 1936 by United Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., New York, N.Y., sponsored by Miss Cora A. Marsh, great-great granddaughter of Lieutenant Fanning; and commissioned 8 October 1937, Lieutenant Commander E. H.

Nathaniel Fanning was born at Stonington, Connecticut 3 May 1755.    While serving in Bon Homme Richard in France, he was commissioned midshipman by John Paul Jones.    As captain of the main top during the Battle of Flamborough Head, Fanning lost most of his men but led replacements aloft and cleared Serapis’ top with grenades, for which action Jones recommended him for promotion.    He died 30 September 1805.

Geiselman, in command.
   Trials, fitting out, shakedown, and minor repairs occupied Fanning until 22 April 1938 when she joined Philadelphia (CL-41) at Annapolis, to escort the cruiser as she carried Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States on a Caribbean cruise. After returning to New York on 11 May, she underwent overhaul, escorted MS Kungsholm with the Crown Prince of Sweden embarked, then sailed for the west coast to join the Battle Force in September. Based on San Diego the destroyer conducted antiaircraft gunnery, antisubmarine, and tactical exercises. In the next 3 years, Fanning's schedule took her back to the Atlantic once and to Hawaii several times, all the while enhancing her battle readiness.
   The attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 found Fanning at sea with TF 8 returning to Pearl Harbor from Wake Island where Enterprise (CV-6) had delivered the squadron of Marine Corps fighter planes which became Wake's only airborne defense. The force made a vain search for the enemy, refueled at Pearl Harbor on 8 December, and the following day sortied to hunt enemy submarines. They made several contacts, but aircraft from Enterprise scored the single success in sinking I-170 on 10 December in 23° 45' N, 155° 35 W.
   Fanning sailed from Pearl Harbor with TF 8 on 19 December to relieve beleaguered Wake Island, however, the island fell before help could arrive, and the reinforcements were delivered to Midway. In mid-January 1942 while underway for Tutuila, she encountered a blinding rainstorm during which she collided with Gridley (DD-380), badly damaging both ships. After emergency repairs at Pago Pago she returned to Pearl Harbor where her bow was restored.
   She was part of TF 16 which sailed on 8 April 1942 to rendezvous with TF 18. This combined force, commanded by Vice Admiral W. F. Halsey, Jr., and carrying the Doolittle raiders, was charged with launching the first American offensive against the Japanese homeland. Returning safely to Pearl Harbor on 25 April after the successful mission, she escorted an Army tug to Canton Island and returned to San Francisco for needed repairs. (continued)