St. Mark By the Sea Lutheran Church’s Bell

            The Church bell is an United States Man-or-War ship's bell which served as a part of the USS Dennis J, Buckley (DDR- 808); a destroyer of the 2,300 ton Gearing Class. The BUCKLEY was built in the yards of the Bath Iron Works, Bath Maine. Her Keel was laid July 24, 1944 and she was launched December 20th of the same year,

            The destroyer was named in honor of Dennis Joseph Buckley, Jr, who was awarded a Silver Star and citation posthumously for "conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy forces”. Dennis J. Buckley, Jr. was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on April 22, 1920 and died in an explosion on March 19, 1943 while assisting in hazardous salvage operations on a hostile blockade runner. The "BUCKLEY" was placed in commission at Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. On March 2, 1945 with Commander K. C. Walpole. USN, as Commanding Officer,

            The destroyer was 390 feet 6 inches in overall length, 40 feet 10 inches abeam and had a displacement of 2,425 tons, Her speed was over 34 knot""

            While in the Boston Navy Yard having additional equipment installed on August 14th. 1945, the DD808 received word of the Japanese surrender and that hostilities would cease.

            Following cessation of hostilities she served in. post- war operations in the Pacific and Far East areas.. She was assigned to the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean for operational duty and goodwill tour activities. The BUCKIJEY officially became an operation unit of the Cruiser/Destroyer Pacific Command serving in the West Pacific areas until decommissioning.

            The Dennis J. Buckley was decommissioned July 2. 1973 at San Diego, California.

            The members and Pastor of St. Mark By The Sea Lutheran Church wish to express their deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to Alan Smolen President of ITT Community development Corporation; the Honorable Lawton Chiles, Set1ator from Florida; Vice Admiral Edwin B. Hooper, USN, Director of Naval History and Curator of the United States Navy, Washington, D. C. and Captain J.H.B, Smith, USN. Head of Curator Branch, United Stales Navy. for their endeavors in making, this all possible. "WELL DONE"!

            It is also a great privilege to have the sister of the late Dennis J. Buckley with us today. Mrs, Beatrice Egan.

            All of those mentioned above who are able to be with us today will take part in the dedication of the bell immediately following the recessional hymn  (out doors).

This article was an insert in the church Bulletin, July 4. !976,

The first service at this location.

 NOTE:

St. Mark By the Sea Lutheran Church is Located at Palm Coast Florida. The bell is kept in the northex of the church, but prior to Sunday morning services it is moved and positioned outside the building and is sounded nine strikes, fifteen minutes before service and three strikes to announce that service is to begin.