High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is currently the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Hugh Purvis, a marine who served from 1869 to 1884 and was awarded the Medal of Honor. The ship was launched by Federal Shipbuilding Dry Dock Co., Kearny, New Jersey, 17 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Alice Purvis, widow of Corporal Purvis; and commissioned 1 March 1945, Commander B. L. (Byron Lawrence) Gurnette in command (until 10/1/45).