USS Wilson, DD 408, was laid down on 22 March 1937 at Bremerton Wash., by the Puget Sound Navy Yard, launched on 12 April 1939; sponsored by Mrs. Edward B. Fenner, the wife of Rear Admiral Edward B. Fenner, the Commandant of the 13th Naval District, and commissioned

Charles Wilson was born in 1836 at Boston and enlisted in the Navy 15 October 1861.    Serving in Carondelet during actions on the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers including the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson and Island No. 10, engagements at New Madrid, Fort Pillow and Memphis, for which he was commended for distinguished service.    He was eventually promoted to boatswain.

on 5 July 1939, Lt. Comdr. Russell G. Sturges in command.
   After fitting out, the destroyer sailed for San Francisco, Calif., and arrived there on 16 September. Two days later, she shifted to the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif., where she loaded torpedoes with exercise warheads. She subsequently operated out of Long Beach Calif., and between San Diego and the Canal Zone before sailing for South American waters. On her shakedown cruise, Wilson visited Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Callao, Peru, and then shifted briefly to Balboa, Canal Zone, en route to Manzanillo Bay, Mexico.
   Returning to San Diego on 17 November, Wilson later sailed north to her builders' yard for post-shakedown availability, upkeep, and machinery trials. Wilson returned to San Diego on 11 February 1940 and was assigned to Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 12, Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 6. (continued)