Introduction to the USS Colhoun and Its Crew
The USS Colhoun (DD-85), a Wickes-class destroyer commissioned in 1918, operated in both World War I and World War II before being lost in action in 1942. A reliable USS Colhoun crew list documents the ship's company at various points in its service, including officers, petty officers, and enlisted personnel. This article explains how to interpret such lists, the types of details they contain, and how they support genealogical, historical, and commemorative research. It also clarifies common sources and verification practices for crew information related to the USS Colhoun.
Why USS Colhoun Crew Lists Matter
Crew lists serve as primary sources for understanding a ship's human dimension in wartime and peacetime. For the USS Colhoun, they help researchers trace service histories, confirm assignments, and identify sailors who served during specific campaigns or timeframes. Accurate lists are essential for next-of-kin records, military honors, and constructing verified narratives of shipboard life. Because names can be misspelled or reordered across documents, cross-checking multiple sources is a standard best practice.
Typical Structure of a Navy Crew List
A structured USS Colhoun crew list is usually organized by rank group and then by surname, with key attributes for each entry. The following table outlines the most common columns you will encounter and their purpose in historical research.
Standard Fields in Official Navy Crew Listings
| Field | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Given name, middle initial, surname as rendered in official records | Service record, muster roll |
| Rank/Rate | Enlisted ratings (e.g., OSP, MM3c) or officer grade (e.g., LT, CDR) | Commanding officer's report |
| Service Number | Navy service number or draft registration ID where assigned | Personnel file, manning report |
| Assignment Date | Date the sailor joined the USS Colhoun crew | Muster roll, ship's log |
| Home State/Region | Place of residence at enlistment or draft location | Enlistment record |
| Outcome | Status such as transferred, discharged, killed in action, or died of wounds | After-action reports, casualty lists |
Where to Find USS Colhoun Crew Lists
Primary repositories for USS Colhoun personnel records include the National Archives at College Park, the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), and genealogical platforms that index military service files. Muster rolls from 1917–1918 and 1941–1942 are among the most frequently referenced, as these cover the ship's main wartime periods. When using these collections, focus on original or verified digital scans rather than transcriptions alone, as transcription errors can omit or alter names.
Key Archival Sources
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Record Group 24, Records of Naval Personnel
- Naval History and Heritage Command, Online Indexes and Ship Histories
- Fold3 and FamilySearch collections derived from declassified Navy muster rolls
- Casualty reports and after-action summaries that mention personnel outcomes
Research Best Practices and Limitations
When compiling or verifying a USS Colhoun crew list, treat each source as a partial view rather than a complete roster. Handwriting inconsistencies, name variants, and reassignments between ships can create gaps. Where possible, triangulate information across multiple documents: compare a muster roll with a service record jacket and any available unit diary entries. Note that some sailors may appear only in transit or temporary assignments, so a single list may never be fully exhaustive.
Notable Names and Contextual Details
While the complete USS Colhoun crew list is extensive, certain individuals have drawn attention due to documented acts of valor or unusual career paths. Awards such as the Navy Cross or Silver Star are typically annotated in service jackets, and these can help confirm identity when names are common. Because promotions and ratings changed over time, it is helpful to date each entry rather than assuming a single snapshot represents the ship's full complement throughout its service life.
Using Crew Lists for Family and Commemoration
Families seeking to confirm a relative’s service on the USS Colhoun can start with genealogical databases, then request Official Military Personnel Files from the National Archives to see if additional roster details exist. For commemorative purposes, these lists support the creation of unit-specific memorials and accurate honor rolls. Cross-referencing with local newspapers of the era can sometimes clarify brief biographical notes, such as hometowns or next of kin, that are otherwise sparse in formal records.
Conclusion and Verification Guidance
The USS Colhoun crew list is a living dataset that benefits from ongoing verification and careful sourcing. By understanding the standard layout of naval personnel records, leveraging authoritative archives, and triangulating multiple documents, researchers can build a more complete and accurate picture of the ship's company. This approach not only honors those who served but also sustains the historical utility of the USS Colhoun's record for future scholars and family members.