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DD DDE DDR DESTROYERS Greyhounds of the Fleet


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Salvage Sailor

USS ROBERT K HUNTINGTON (DD-781) Allen M. Sumner class in service 1945 to 1973, WWII, Cold War, Vietnam.  Named for Robert Kingsbury Huntington, a naval aviator and member of Torpedo Squadron 8. The entire squadron was lost during the Battle of Midway.

 

Robert Kingsbury Huntington, born at Los Angeles, Calif., 13 March 1921, enlisted in the Navy 21 April 1941. He served on board Lexington (CV-2) and was rated aviation radioman third class before being transferred to Torpedo Squadron 8 on board Hornet (CV-8). He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement as rear gunner in a torpedo plane during an attack against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942. Flying without fighter support and with insufficient fuel to return to their carrier, Huntington and his fellow crewmember pressed home their attack with utter disregard for their own personal safety, in the face of a tremendous antiaircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. Huntington was one of 29 from Torpedo Squadron 8 who gave their lives in this attack.

 

IMG_4453.JPG

 

IMG_4454.JPG

 

IMG_3081.JPG

 

IMG_3082.JPG

 

 

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On 6/29/2017 at 8:48 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

Gearing class USS O'HARE (DDR-889) In service 1945 to 1973

DD 889 DDR 889 USS OHARE 001.jpg

DD 889 DDR 889 USS OHARE 002.jpg

 

Love this! Never seen this one before. I own a 1962 deck jacket of this destroyer. Salvage, would you ever be interested in selling this? 

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Salvage Sailor

That one's a keeper for my collection, very hard to find

 

This is the USS O'HARE patch made by Gemsco that is usually found

 

 

DD 889 DDR 889 USS OHARE Gemsco 001.jpg

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Thanks Salvage! Regarding the Gemsco one, is it still available? I'm looking for a true original vintage not those reproductions on Ebay. 

 

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS GAINARD (DD-706) Allen M. Sumner class destroyer in service 1944 to 1971

 

Two different cut edge versions

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 001.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 002.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 003.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 004.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 005.jpg

 

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS JENKINS (DD-447) The third Fletcher class destroyer in commissioned service 1942 to 1969.  She was reclassified at DDE-447 during the Korean War and reverted back to DD-447 in 1962.

 

226399997_DD447USSJENKINS001.jpg.d5f8b6d408566ccd95363c9966a7d6e1.jpg

 

These belonged to a crewman who served aboard JENKINS during her WESTPAC Vietnam cruises in 1966 & 1967

JENKINS earned 14 battle stars during World War II, one battle star in the Korean War, and five battle stars for Vietnam service

 

DD 447 USS JENKINS 002.jpg

 

DD 447 USS JENKINS 003.jpg

 

DD 447 USS JENKINS 004.jpg

 

DD 447 USS JENKINS 006.jpg

 

DD 447 USS JENKINS 007.jpg

 

 

 

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17 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

USS GAINARD (DD-706) Allen M. Sumner class destroyer in service 1944 to 1971

 

Two different cut edge versions

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 001.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 002.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 003.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 004.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 005.jpg

 

 

The bottom patch is merrowed edge, not cut edge.

 

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17 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

USS JENKINS (DD-447) The third Fletcher class destroyer in commissioned service 1942 to 1969.  She was reclassified at DDE-447 during the Korean War and reverted back to DD-447 in 1962.

 

These belonged to a crewman who served aboard JENKINS during her WESTPAC Vietnam cruises in 1966 & 1967

 

JENKINS earned 14 battle stars during World War II, one battle star in the Korean War, and five battle stars for Vietnam service

 

 

DD 447 USS JENKINS 001.jpg

DD 447 USS JENKINS 002.jpg

DD 447 USS JENKINS 003.jpg

DD 447 USS JENKINS 004.jpg

DD 447 USS JENKINS 006.jpg

DD 447 USS JENKINS 007.jpg

That is a beauty

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Salvage Sailor
On 6/12/2020 at 2:58 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS WILLARD KEITH (DD-775) Allen M. Sumner class destroyer in service 1944 to 1972

 

Her original patch design and her Dennis the Menace patch.

 

DD_775_USS_WILLARD_KEITH_003.jpg

 

USS WILLARD KEITH (DD-775) PER ANGUSTA AD ANGUSTA (“through difficulties to honors”) i.e. No Pain No Gain

 

DD_775_USS_WILLARD_KEITH_004.jpg

 

DD_775_USS_WILLARD_KEITH_005.jpg

 

"Menace of the Seas" - Hank Ketcham creator of Dennis the Menace was given a VIP ride on the Willard Keith in 1954 from San Francisco to Long Beach, CA.. To show his appreciation he designed the ships plaque and this is the patch that came from that design

DD_775_USS_WILLARD_KEITH_001.jpg

 

DD_775_USS_WILLARD_KEITH_002.jpg

 

 

DD 775 USS WILLARD KEITH 006.jpg

 

A different yet very similar make of the USS WILLARD KEITH (DD-775).  These may be different generations of the Gemsco patch i.e. 1950's vs. 1960's

 

DD 775 USS WILLARD KEITH 007.jpg

 

DD 775 USS WILLARD KEITH 008.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor
On 9/26/2020 at 5:48 AM, Bearmon said:

The bottom patch is merrowed edge, not cut edge.

 

 

Thanks for the correction.  Here are three versions of the USS GAINARD (DD-706)

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 006.jpg

 

Gold thread on felt

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 007.jpg

 

DD 706 USS GAINARD 008.jpg

 

 

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Salvage Sailor
On 7/25/2017 at 8:20 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

Cold War/Gulf War Spruance class USS STUMP (DD-978) In service 1978 to 2004

 

DD 978 USS STUMP 001.jpg

 

DD 978 USS STUMP Swiss Tex 001.jpg

 

 

USS STUMP (DD-978) Spruance class destroyer in service 1978 to 2004

 

(Persian) GULF PATROL in the Iraq/Iran Warzone 1982-1983 just prior to the first Tanker War

 

DD 978 USS STUMP 1982 1983 War Zone Gulf Patrol 001.jpg

 

DD 978 USS STUMP 1982 1983 War Zone Gulf Patrol 002.jpg

 

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS BASILONE (DD-824/DDE-824) Gearing class Destroyer in service 1949 to 1977 (Reverted to DD-842 June 30, 1962)

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE 001.jpg

 

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916–1945)

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE 002.jpg

 

SGT. Lena Basilone ready to christen USS BASILONE, 21 December 1945

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE 001.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DDE-824) as a post-war (Cold War) ASW escort destroyer 1949-1962, Gemsco gold border card circa 1950's

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE Gemsco 002.jpg

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE Gemsco 003.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DD-824) WESTPAC - 1960's Cruise patch

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE WESTPAC 1968 001.jpg

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE WESTPAC 1968 002.jpg

 

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS MULLANY (DD-528) Fletcher class in service 1943 to 1971 - Struck by a Kamikaze at Okinawa she had to be abandoned by her crew.....but the ship did not sink.....and she was recovered, towed to Pearl Harbor, salvaged & rebuilt to continue serving on until 1971.  FULL STORY HERE

 

Seven battle stars earned in WWII and at least three more for Vietnam service

 

DD 528 USS MULLANY 001.jpg

 

DD 528 USS MULLANY 002.jpg

 

Kamikaze damage 1945

 

DD528x20nh-9Apr45lr.jpg

 

USS Mullany - 4-11-45 - Kerama Retto - Silver.jpg

 

Aboard a floating drydock (ARD)

 

0552815.jpg

 

Back to service in Vietnam, 1968 providing gunfire support and plane guard duties

 

0552854.jpg

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Salvage Sailor
On 4/24/2017 at 12:34 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

Drones are not new to the USN - Gyrodyne QH-50C Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH) https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/gyrodyne-qh-50c-drone-anti-submarine-helicopter-dash

 

Allen M. Sumner class USS JOHN W. THOMASON In service 1945 to 1970

DD 760 USS JOHN W THOMASON 001.jpg

DD 760 USS JOHN W THOMASON 002.jpg

 

Another USS THOMASON (DD-760) DASH patch, Gold border and details

 

DD 760 USS JOHN W THOMASON 003.jpg

 

DD 760 USS JOHN W THOMASON 004.jpg

 

DD 760 USS JOHN W THOMASON 005.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor
On 4/3/2017 at 4:00 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

Three war Allen M. Sumner class USS HARRY E. HUBBARD (DD-748) in service 1944 to 1969

DD 748 USS HARRY E HUBBARD 001.jpg

 

The hard to find H.E.H. Viking Shell patch

 

USS HARRY E. HUBBARD (DD-748) 

 

DD 748 USS HARRY E HUBBARD 003.jpg

 

DD 748 USS HARRY E HUBBARD 004.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor
On 4/29/2017 at 11:18 AM, 10esee said:

USS BLACK (DD-666)

 

post-163976-0-38502100-1493500659_thumb.jpg

 

post-163976-0-33070400-1493502629.jpg

 

Other versions...

 

273529947_DD666USSBLACK000.jpg.245224fdccc53b41eec5eeb12a11bda3.jpg

 

USS BLACK (DD-666) Three war Fletcher class in service 1943 to 1969

 

1216830033_DD666USSBLACK001.jpg.391e24a9a72ceab34fbebc7ca17f1202.jpg

 

830890095_DD666USSBLACK002.jpg.a29a8b802f255e3239e258e652cc098f.jpg

 

USS BLACK 666 Devils' Eight Ball patch

 

363572606_DD666USSBLACK003.jpg.ad75afbf5a130d46f532c051296c29f1.jpg

 

1006623547_DD666USSBLACK004.jpg.5b16438d1178d5f544ed547f06d3f4ee.jpg

 

1806239066_DD666USSBLACK005.jpg.8b3fefca6dab9e35c17432bd0ad0bd48.jpg

 

USS BLACK (DD-666) Ball Cap patch

 

1881313705_DD666USSBLACK006.jpg.2ca355b05cc1623c93645652e5c5f62c.jpg

 

1459678851_DD666USSBLACK007ICGANG.jpg.eca21a4076e17a8e1dcfad6a3f29a2b5.jpg

 

USS BLACK IC GANG - INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS, Japanese made

 

2002801154_DD666USSBLACK008ICGANG.jpg.8236136d9b9f1f5051b2fcbafd33856d.jpg

 

2051248516_DD666USSBLACK009.jpg.87939cf5003296a40036b9acbc4535c8.jpg

 

17197240_DD666USSBLACK010.jpg.cfdfd26eb7222d4d560c0c2f0b28bdda.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor
On 4/5/2019 at 4:42 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS FLETCHER (DD-445) First In Class. In service 1942 to 1969. Fletcher received fifteen battle stars for World War II service, and five for Korean War service, making her one of the most decorated US ships of World War II.

DD 445 USS FLETCHER 001.jpg

DD 445 USS FLETCHER 002.jpg

 

USS FLETCHER (DD-445) First In Class. In service 1942 to 1969. Fletcher received fifteen battle stars for World War II service, and five for Korean War service, making her one of the most decorated US ships of World War II.

 

Fighting Fletcher DD-445 - Different Versions

 

IMG_8643.JPG.40d094182b462d608da458aeb6dd725a.JPG

 

344421614_DD445USSFLETCHER001.jpg.f30b8b16cc44b54754d01d1b82a224d4.jpg

 

IMG_8644.JPG.91dffd69ae3737a3cdcdfb3a4763acb7.JPG

 

1572048666_DD445USSFLETCHER002.jpg.6f4e3d5d5d850a4ef5030909a220712e.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS O'BRIEN (DD-725) Allen M. Sumner class in service 1944 to 1972.  Her previous namesake (DD-415) was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-19 on 15 September 1942.  Three war destroyer service plus China Straits service.  

 

998201683_DD725USSOBRIEN001.jpg.ad92d87be53c947eef953c28b012e4a0.jpg

 

O'Brien (DD-725) received six battle stars for World War II service, five battle stars for Korean War service, and three battle stars for Vietnam service (1967).

 

962833670_DD725USSOBRIEN003.jpg.856e4dcd4d84f21b16244d97684099dc.jpg

 

884137959_DD725USSOBRIEN004.jpg.256b3986327ffcb0186c90ae9a4d5131.jpg

 

Patch, Photo & Data Sheet circa 1963

 

246203755_DD725USSOBRIEN002.jpg.db236c40c156b5648ccf1b184697652d.jpg

 

894674973_DD725USSOBRIEN005.jpg.c8bdb9d2e9705d3807070ef88d7011e0.jpg

 

1832925524_DD725USSOBRIEN006.jpg.9e64b478a0d3d516fef5f733624ba72b.jpg

 

Flagship of DESDIV 232, DESRON 23 The Little Beavers (note their insignia on the photos below)

127916559_DESRON23001.jpg.ada4d99b08f95926f6c77810b0359933.jpg

 

O'Brien decommissioned at Long Beach on 18 February 1972 and was struck from the Navy List that same day. The hulk was towed out to sea by tug USS Sioux and sunk as a target off California on 13 July 1972.

620898965_DD725USSOBRIEN007.jpg.22116db60dfa977f8ba2a8f1718d7cca.jpg

 

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS KIDD (DD-661) Fletcher class in service 1943 to 1964.  On April 11, 1945, during the battle for Okinawa, the U.S.S. KIDD suffered a kamikaze attack when a Japanese pilot targeted and crashed into her, killing 38 crewmen.  Now a museum ship in Baton Rouge, LA.  In 1986 Kidd was designated a National Historic Landmark, as the best-preserved World War II destroyer of her class.

 

1096450235_DD661USSKIDDBetaRoyal003.jpg.a7ebf69fd6c47d8303e6b5989a490f10.jpg

 

Beta Royal patch circa 1964 - This is how they were originally packaged, in a wax paper wrapper with the patch stapled to the card

 

1403183897_DD661USSKIDDBetaRoyal001.jpg.2c4e750680d741d716adfd567ab4c395.jpg

 

1945810341_DD661USSKIDDBetaRoyal002.jpg.7005b72fecf58854a5330e39b31eb208.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS MILLER (DD-535) Fletcher class in service 1943 to 1964

 

0553538.jpg.7f98e26b43f6e06593151e7acfeb33ec.jpg

 

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP MILLER

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For exceptionally meritorious service in support of military operations on March 19, 1945. Promptly approaching the U.S.S. FRANKLIN after that vessel had been severely damaged by enemy aircraft, the U.S.S. MILLER heroically fought raging fires and put aboard rescue parties despite the serious hazards created by exploding gasoline, bombs and ammunition, in an effort to salvage the crippled carrier and save her stricken crew members. Within easy range of enemy air bases, she kept all guns manned and ready to repel any hostile attacks while repeatedly closing the FRANKLIN’s flaming sides to pick up isolated groups of wounded and trapped men. The MILLER’s valiant achievements in saving many lives and aiding in the safe withdrawal of a valuable fleet unit attest to the professional skill and fearless devotion to duty of her officers and men, and reflects the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. MILLER on March 19, 1945, are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

 

0553526.jpg.f72649dabaa5f1538e4cdcaff8629378.jpg

The USS Miller (DD-535) coming alongside USS Franklin (CV-13) to take-off the carrier's flag officers and their staffs. The USS Hickox (DD-673) later rescued men trapped on the carrier's fantail. Photo from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe.

 

2121437774_DD535USSMILLER001.jpg.bd4a2758e735e562de69a526217fe2ec.jpg

 

0553514.jpg.b01e96c81963f0aa02a7134876463ff7.jpg

    Late 1950's recruiting poster, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

 

1423928126_DD535USSMILLER002.jpg.28595816cd0c9c77a46a7f535f300720.jpg

 

0553511.jpg.de9097ad52503a95c02d5cd0405b503e.jpg

USS Miller (DD-535) returns to Newport, Rhode Island, from overseas duty, 1956. In the background are other Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Force ships moored to buoys in Narrangansett Bay. USS Dortch (DD-670) is in the left center, and USS Hickox (DD-673) is at right. The original print bears the stamped date 20 August 1956.  Naval History & Heritage Command photo NH 98526

 

1865607623_DD535USSMILLER003.jpg.e448b6f6af8ba4a1934d5bde6556db34.jpg

 

0553502.jpg.85a24c08b14df1f06c03f0c43d5f19a0.jpg

South Boston Naval Annex, July 4 1962.

Excellent photo of the forward section of the Fletcher, Note Hedgehog Launcher and detail of the forward 5" -38 gun mounts.

 

754201218_DD535USSMILLER004.jpg.9bbefb111efa797a470efdf7ba0cd0d3.jpg

 

0553503.jpg.49f381ad363967ee4d81cf9293785c58.jpg

South Boston Naval Annex, July 4 1962. Excellent photo of the aft section of the Fletcher, Detailed view of the two aft 5" gun mounts and dual 40 MM AA guns atop the after deckhouse.

 

94058658_DD535USSMILLER005.jpg.bc0bf79c70c61e5f69b9acc24ea92479.jpg

 

0565007.jpg.929e836b7a6465878e7950c32cf224b1.jpg

Philadelphia Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility 30 July 1974, (L-R) USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Caperton (DD-650), Gatling (DD-671), USS Miller (DD-535), USS Hazelwood (DD-531) and USS Cassin Young (DD-793)

 

223154830_DD535USSMILLER006.jpg.c7489c1d3546e40ffcfca0c186ec084d.jpg

 

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On 4/20/2021 at 3:46 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS BASILONE (DD-824/DDE-824) Gearing class Destroyer in service 1949 to 1977 (Reverted to DD-842 June 30, 1962)

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE 001.jpg

 

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916–1945)

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE 002.jpg

 

SGT. Lena Basilone ready to christen USS BASILONE, 21 December 1945

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE 001.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DDE-824) as a post-war (Cold War) ASW escort destroyer 1949-1962, Gemsco gold border card circa 1950's

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE Gemsco 002.jpg

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE Gemsco 003.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DD-824) WESTPAC - 1960's Cruise patch

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE WESTPAC 1968 001.jpg

 

DD 824 USS BASILONE WESTPAC 1968 002.jpg

 

 

Here is another version of the Basilone I just picked up still on the Gemsco card

2022-02-08_171655 (2).jpg

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On 12/31/2016 at 1:47 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

WILLIAM M. WOOD (DDR-715) Gearing class destroyer in service 1945 to 1976. She was a radar picket from 1953 to 1964

 

DD 715 DDR 715 USS WILLIAM M WOOD 001.jpg

 

1950's Tom and Jerry Atomic Age motif with an 'error' rocker

 

DD 715 DDR 715 USS WILLIAM M WOOD 002.jpg

Here is another version of the William M. Wood still on the Gemsco card

2022-02-08_171622 (2).jpg

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