Hugh David Black

Hugh David Black (29 June 1903 – 28 February 1942) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II.

Black was born in Oradell, New Jersey, on 29 June 1903. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1922, graduated in 1926, and served on board Richmond (CL-9), mainly in the Far East, between 1926 and 1928. During the next few years, he was an officer on board the battleship New York (BB-34), the gunboat Asheville (PG-21), and the destroyers Parrott (DD-218), Rizal (DD-174) and Montgomery (DD-121). Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Black was assigned to the Naval Training Station, San Diego, California, in 1933–1934, then served on board the destroyer Upshur (DD-144) and during 1935–38 commanded the minesweeper Lark (AM-21).

Lieutenant Black had duty with the Navy's Bureau of Navigation, in Washington, D.C., in 1938 and attended Harvard University for two years, beginning mid-1938. He was executive officer of the new destroyer Benson (DD-421) in 1940–1941. In March of 1941, he took command of the destroyer Jacob Jones (DD-130).

Lieutenant Commander Hugh D. Black lost his life when Jacob Jones was sunk by a German submarine on February 28th, 1942.

Namesake and honors

In 1943, the destroyer USS Black (DD-666) was named in honor of Lt. Comdr. Black.

Currently, perpendicular to Oradell Avenue in Oradell, New Jersey, there is a road named "Commander Black Drive".

Attribution

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.