Namesake:

Coxswain Samuel B. Roberts

Coxswain Samuel B. Roberts, Jr. was born in San Francisco on 12 May 1921. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1939 and was called to active duty in 1940. Roberts served aboard the USS CALIFORNIA (BB 44) and the USS HEYWOOD (AD 12), before being transferred to the troop transport USS BELLATRIX (AKA 20).

In 1942, BELLATRIX was assigned to task group FOUR and became part of the Guadalcanal Assault Force. As a coxswain for the BELLATRIX's Assault (Higgins) boats, Roberts became extensively involved in the landing of supplies from ships at sea to what was a very tenuous beachhead. As a result of the heavy fighting at sea beginning 7 August 1942, Coxswain Roberts was transferred to the Beachmaster unit on the island of Guadalcanal to perform transport and medevac duties.

Early on the morning of 27 September 1942, Roberts volunteered for a rescue mission to save a company size unit of Marines who had been surrounded by a numerically superior Japanese force. Initially, the rescue group of several Hogging boats was taken under heavy fire and was perilously close to failure. Realizing the state of the rescue mission, Roberts unselfishly volunteered to distract Japanese forces by passing directly in front of their lines drawing their fire. This decoy act was performed effectively until all Marines had been evacuated. However, as he was about to withdraw from the range of the Japanese guns, Roberts' boat was hit and he was mortally wounded. For his valor and courage in the face of the enemy fire Coxswain Samuel Booker Roberts was awarded posthumously the Navy Cross is proudly displayed in the Wardroom of USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS.

Historical Notes:

Mission:

Ship's Crest:

The Shield: The shield is divided into navy blue, red and yellow, suggesting the shoreline of Guadalcanal and the Marines who were trapped there in September 1942. The three stars allude to the Naval Forces who volunteered to rescue the hard-pressed Marines. The gold star represents Coxswain Samuel B. Roberts, Jr., who was mortally wounded during this mission when his boat drew enemy fire away from the other boats embarking the Marines. The three stars also represent the three ships named for Samuel B. Roberts, Jr.; the gold star denotes the current ship.

The Crest: The lion, a symbol of courage, signifies Samuel B Roberts' Spirit. The lion's red claws and tongue symbolize Samuel B Roberts' ultimate sacrifice for his comrades ; the blue collar bearing a cross pattee convexed indicates that Samuel B Roberts' died in battle and was awarded the Navy Cross for his gallant actions. The lion is grasping in his paws a blue torch, suggesting the passing on of Naval history. The lightning bolts represent the armament of this ship, and indicate the quick-strike capabilities of the modern warship.

Motto: Admiral Copeland, then LCDR, Commanding Officer of DE 413, concluded his report of the Battle of Samar, with these words; "In the face of this knowledge, the men zealously manned their stations wherever they might be, and fought and worked with such calmness, courage, and efficiency that no higher honor could be conceived than to command such a group of men."

PHOTOS