Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Office of the Chief of Naval OperationsNaval History Division • Washington
Born in Dwight, III., 6 November 1919, Harold Jensen Christopher was commissioned ensign in the Naval Reserve 28 May 1941, and after training at the Naval Air Station, San Pedro, Calif., reported for duty in Nevada (BB-36) 5 August 1941. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, Christopher realized his services were not needed at his regular station, and upon his own initiative he joined the crew of the 5" broadside battery, effectively controlling his part of the battery until killed. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
(DE-100: dp. 1,240; l. 306'; b. 36'8"; dr. 8'9"; s. 21 k.; cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 3 21" tt., 8 dcp., 1 dcp.(hh.), 2 dct.; cl. Buckley)
Christopher (DE-100) was launched 19 June 1943 by Dravo Corp., Wilmington, Del.; sponsored by Mrs. Carl Christopher, mother of Ensign Christopher. DE-100 commissioned 23 October 1943, Lt. A.W.P. Trench in command.
Christopher was decommissioned at Natal 19 December 1944, and loaned to Brazil under lend-lease. She was renamed Benevente in Brazilian service. on 30 June 1953, when the loan ended, she was stricken from the U.S. Navy List and transferred to Brazil under the Mutual Assistance Program. [The ship was discarded in 1964.]