Metivier (DE-582)
(DE‑582: dp. 1,450; l. 306'; b. 37'; dr. 9'8"; s. 23.5 k.; cpl. 186; a. 2 5", 4 40mm., 10 20 mm., 2 dct., 8 dcp., 1 dcp. (h.h.); cl. Rudderow)
Joseph Erene Henry Metivier, born in Plainfield, Conn., 25 February 1920, enlisted in the Navy at New Haven, Conn., 17 September 1940. He was on board Eberle (DD‑430) when she intercepted German blockade runner Karin in the South Atlantic 10 March 1943. One of a 14‑man boarding party from Eberle attempting to salvage the enemy ship, he was killed when demolition charges set by the Germans exploded. For his exceptional courage and devotion to duty, Coxswain Metivier was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Metivier (DE‑582) was laid down by Bethlehem‑Hinghain Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Mass., 24 November 1943; launched 12 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph Metivier, mother of Coxswain Metivier; and commissioned 7 April 1944, Lt. Comdr. Francis Kernan, Jr., in command.
Metivier departed Boston Navy Yard 3 June for Norfolk, Va., arriving 2 days later for schoolship duty. On the 23d the escort got underway from Norfolk escorting a convoy of 91 ships to north Africa, arriving off Bizerte, Tunisia, 14 July. In August she returned to the east coast, entering Norfolk channel the 31st. On 1 September she began another voyage to the Mediterranean, ending at New York 17 October.
Assigned to the 7th Fleet, Metivier steamed from Early, N.J., 3 November for New Guinea, via the Panama Canal; Bora Bora, Societies; and Guadalcanal, Solomons, reaching Hollandia 11 December. She then began 8 months of escort, supply, patrol, and screen duty. The escort ship supported the landings at Lingayen Gulf (9 January) and Subic Bay (29 January) in the Philippines and the invasion of Okinawa beginning 4 May, among other operations in the South Pacific ultimately leading to the Japanese surrender 14 August.
Detached from the Philippine Sea Frontier 31 August, Metivier got underway with TG 70.3 for Okinawa, reporting at Buckner Bay 5 September for escort service to and from Jinsen (new Inchon) and Chemulpo, Korea. In late October, she steamed for the west coast, via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving San Diego, Calif. 8 November.
That same day she reported to the 16th (Inactive Reserve) Fleet there. She decommissioned 1 June 1946 and in January 1947 entered the Pacific Fleet at San Diego. By 1 January 1959 Metivier had moved to the berthing area at Stockton, Calif. On 30 June 1968, Metivier was struck from the Naval Register and was prepared to be sold for scrap.
Metivier received three battle stars for World War II service.
