USS Stack, DD 406, was laid down on 25 June 1937 by the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va.; launched on 5 May 1938; sponsored by Miss Mary Teresa Stack; and commissioned on 20 November 1939, Lt.

Edward Stack was born 26 April 1756 at Kealand, County Kerry, Ireland and appointed second lieutenant in the Continental Marines by John Paul Jones 4 February 1779.    He commanded the division in Bon Homme Richard ‘s main top in action at Flamborough Head 23 September 1779—a grenade thrown from the top caused an explosion in HMS Serapis that was a major factor in her surrender. Jones commended Stack for his great bravery in this action.    Stack remained in US service until 1780 and died at Calais, France, December 1833.

Comdr. Isaiah Olch in command.
   Following shakedown, which lasted until 4 April 1940 including a cruise to the West Indies and Rio de Janeiro, Stack proceeded to the west coast and thence to Pearl Harbor where she operated with the Pacific Fleet until June 1941. She then returned to the east coast for an overhaul at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Stack began patrolling off Bermuda late in November with the Neutrality Patrol. After the United States entered World War II, Stack continued to patrol in the Caribbean until 22 December when she was assigned to escort Wasp (CV-7) from Bermuda to Norfolk.
   On the 28th, she sailed from Norfolk as screen for Long Island (CVE-1). She arrived at Casco Bay, Maine, two days later. She refueled and got underway for Argentia in the screen for Long Island and Philadelphia (CL-41). Arriving in Argentina on New Year's Day 1942, she was assigned to patrol duty. On January 15th, she and Ericsson each picked up two survivors from SS Dayrose, which had been torpedoed the night before off Cape Race. (continued)