The first USS Yarnall (DD–143) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Lincoln, to the Royal Norwegian Navy as HNoMS Lincoln, and subsequently to the Soviet Navy as Druzhny.

Thomas Ross Cooley was a decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral. A veteran of two world wars, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of battleship USS Washington during Mariana Islands campaign and later as Commander, Battleship Division Six during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.