From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., 14 June 1920, John Joseph Brennan enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1940. He was appointed Midshipman 10 August 1940 and attended Naval Reserve Midshipmen School aboard Illinois (IX-15). Ensign Brennan was killed in action 3 April 1942, while serving as officer-in-charge of the armed guard on board SS Otho when she was torpedoed and sunk.

(DE-13: dp. 1140; l. 289'5"; b. 35'1"; dr. 10'6"; s. 21 k.; cpl. 156; a. 3 3"; cl. Evarts)

Brennan (DE-13) was launched 22 August 1942 by Mare Island Navy Yard as HMS Bentinck (BDE-13); completed for American use and reclassified DE-13, 25 January 1943; commissioned as Brennan 20 January 1943, Lieutenant Commander H. A. Adams, Jr., in temporary command. Lieutenant Commander M. E. Dennett assumed permanent command 21 January 1943 and four days later the ship's designation was officially changed from BDE to DE.

From 1 March 1943 until October 1945 Brennan operated in the Miami Straits and Caribbean as a training ship for prospective officers and nucleus crews of destroyer escorts under construction.

Brennan was decommissioned 9 October 1945 and scrapped 12 July 1946.