Christening Ceremony for the USS Liddle

These are official Navy photographs from the commissioning of the USS Liddle. These were apparently intended for distribution to the press, as each had printed on the back a description that I have quoted beside each picture.

Captain Guy E. Baker, Captain of the Charleston Navy Yard

"Captain Guy E. Baker, USN, Captain of the Yard at Charleston Navy Yard, puts into commission the USS LIDDLE, destroyer escort named for Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, William P. Liddle, Jr., USN, who was killed in action at Guadalcanal."

Captain Guy Matthews Tarrant, Jr., USMC

"Captain Guy Matthews Tarrant, Jr., USMC, makes the principal speech at the christening of the USS LIDDLE, named for Pharmacist's Mate William P. Liddle, Jr., who was killed in action at Guadalcanal. Captain Tarrant was at Guadalcanal and formerly served as aide to Lieutenant General A. A. Vandergrift, newly appointed Commandant of the Marines."

Commander Robert Hinckley takes command of the Liddle

"Lieutenant Commander R. M. Hinckley, Jr., USN, reads the orders making him commanding officer of the USS LIDDLE, destroyer escort built at the Charleston Navy Yard and named for Pharmacist's Mate William P. Liddle, Jr., USN, who was killed in action at Guadalcanal."

Mrs. Liddle, who sponsored the ship in the name of her son, killed in action on Guadalcanal.

"Raymond Knight, Chairman of the Central Shop Committee, presents on behalf of the men and women of the Charleston Navy Yard a gift commemorating her sponsorship of the USS LIDDLE to Mrs. William P. Liddle, Sr. The destroyer escort was named for her son, William P. Liddle, Jr., Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, who was killed in action on Guadalcanal."

Rear Admiral Jules James shows Mrs. Liddle how to hold the champagne bottle

"Rear Admiral Jules James, USN, Commandant of the Sixth Naval District, shows Mrs. William P. Liddle, of Bluefield, W. Va., how to hold the champagne bottle with which she is to christen the USS LIDDLE, named for her son, Pharmacist's Mate William P. Liddle, Jr., who was killed in action on Guadalcanal."

Mrs. Liddle addresses the guests as her daughter Dora Frances Liddle looks on.

"Her tense face reflecting the emotion of the moment, Mrs. William P. Liddle, Sr., of Bluefield, W. Va., expresses her pride at being named sponsor for the USS LIDDLE, destroyer escort built at the Charleston Navy Yard and named for her son, Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, William P. Liddle, Jr., who was killed at Guadalcanal. Looking on at the left is Rear Admiral Jules James, USN, Commandant of the Sixth Naval District, and at the right Lieutenant Franklin M. Brown, USNR, aide to the Commandant, and Miss Dora Frances Liddle, sister of the dead hero."

Mrs. Liddle accepts flowers from Miss. Jane Britton, an employee of the Charleston Navy Yard.

"Mrs. William P. Liddle of Bluefield, W. Va., sponsor of the fighting ship named for her heroic son, William P. Liddle, Jr., Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, who was killed in action on Guadalcanal, is shown, center, receiving a tribute of flowers from Charleston Navy Yard employees as Rear Admiral Jules James, USN, Commandant of the Sixth Naval District, looks on. Making the presentation is Miss Jane Britton of the Material Section, Planning Division, of the Navy Yard."

Mrs. Liddle Christens DE-206 in the name of her son.

"'GOD BLESS THIS SHIP,' said Mrs. William P. Liddle, of Bluefield, W. Va., and then she advanced to the bow and sent a cascade of christening champagne streaming down the sides of the vessel, giving it the name of her son. This was the christening of the USS LIDDLE, a new destroyer escort, in Charleston Navy Yard Monday afternoon, December 6. The ship honors the heroism of Pharmacist's Mate Third Class William P. Liddle, Jr., who was killed in action on Guadalcanal. Rear admiral Jules James, Commandant of the Sixth Naval District and Charleston Navy Yard, presided at the ceremony and Miss Dora Frances Liddle, sister of the hero, was her mother's maid of honor."