She was named for Kenneth Cecil Bunch born in Norman County, MN, 21 January 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and served with Scouting Squadrons 42 and 8. He was killed in action 6 June 42 during the Battle of Midway.
The Bunch, a long-hulled, turbo-electric Destroyer Escort, was launched 29 May 43 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company, Bay City, MI, and sponsored by Mrs. Kenneth C. Bunch, widow of Aviation Radioman Bunch. The Bunch was commissioned at New Orleans, LA., as DE 694 on 21 August 43. Lt. Comdr. A. A. Campbell, USNR, took command.
Click one of the links below for more on the history of the USS Bunch DE-694 / APD-79.
Kenneth Cecil Bunch brief biography
Detail
history of the USS Bunch DE-694 / APD-79
