DD DDE DDR DESTROYERS Greyhounds of the Fleet

[Salvage Sailor]

USS WILLIAM R. RUSH (DD/DDR-714) Gearing class in service 1945 to 1978.  Korean War - Cold War

After her Korean War shore bombardment duty she was converted to a DDR Radar Picket from 1952 to 1965

1950's DDR Radar Picket Gemsco version

 

On 10 April 10 1952 the destroyer USS William R. Rush (DD-714) was docked in Dry Dock 1 at the Boston Naval Shipyard as a part of the yard’s work in converting the vessel into a radar picket destroyer (DDR-714). Rush a Gearing-class destroyer named in honor of the World War I Navy Yard Commandant had decommissioned for conversion in December 1951. This drydocking took place at not quite the mid-point of the work, which was completed in September 1952. Note that the vessel has been shorn of her masts at this point in time. This sequence documents the movement of the ship into the dock. (All images, U.S. Navy photographs, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-14719) Note the caisson floating at left as the ship passes the sill of the dock.

 

Ball Cap patch 1970's

USS WILLIAM R. RUSH (DD-714) Both Blue & Gold versions of her DD patch circa 1970's

 

Port broadside view of the USS William R. Rush (DD-714) underway circa 1965 immediately after the completion of her FRAM I conversion. Official US Navy, courtesy commanding officer; 1967-68 Jane’s Fighting Ships.

Blue Version of (DD-714)

 

USS WILLIAM R. RUSH (DD-714) In the Atlantic, September 1965

Gold Version of (DD-714)

 

[busternfo]

Bearmon post 325.  Beautiful DDR-715 William M Wood patch.  Please tell me the size of this patch.  Thanks,

 

Dennie

[Bearmon]

13 hours ago, busternfo said:

Bearmon post 325.  Beautiful DDR-715 William M Wood patch.  Please tell me the size of this patch.  Thanks,

 

Dennie

It is about 7.5 inches tall.  

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/12/2017 at 1:59 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

Rediscovered, I've been sorting out my collection

 

Another version of USS HIGBEE (DD-806)

 

 

 

 

Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, on 18 May 1874. She completed nurses' training at the New York Postgraduate Hospital in 1899 and entered private practice soon thereafter. In October 1908, she joined the newly-established U.S. Navy Nurse Corps as one of its first twenty members and was promoted to Chief Nurse in 1909. In January 1911, Mrs. Higbee (she was the widow of Lieutenant Colonel John Henley Higbee, USMC) became the second Superintendent of the Nurse Corps. For her achievements in leading the Corps through the First World War, Chief Nurse Higbee was awarded the Navy Cross, the first woman to receive that medal. She retired from the Navy in November 1922. Chief Nurse Lenah H. Higbee died at Winter Park, Florida, on 10 January 1941. Photo #: 80-G-1037198. Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, (NC) USN, portrait photograph, taken in uniform during the World War I era. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

 

 

More from the Pig Pen, USS HIGBEE (DD-806) "The Leaping Lenah", Gearing class in service 1945 to 1979.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higbee's Mount 52, destroyed by a North Vietnamese bomb in 1972.

 

On 19 April 1972 Higbee became the first US warship to be bombed during the Vietnam War, when two VPAF (also known as the NVAF-North Vietnamese Air Force) MiG-17s from the 923rd Fighter Regiment attacked, one of which, piloted by Le Xuan Di, dropped a 250 kilogram (500 lb) bomb onto Higbee's rear 5-inch gun mount, destroying it.

 

The 5-inch gun crew had been outside their turret, due to a misfire within the mount, when the air attack occurred, which resulted in the wounding of four US sailors. The second MiG-17 flown by Nguyen Van Bay B (the "B" to differentiate from the more famous ace pilot Nguyen Van Bay).  Higbee was repaired at Subic Bay in the Philippines, with the wrecked gun mount removed, to be replaced later and the structural damage repaired.

 

Although there were no official aircraft losses reported by either side during the aerial attack, witnesses aboard accompanying USN vessel's deploying defensive measures, claimed one of the attacking MiGs with a hit by a surface-to-air missile fired from the cruiser USS Sterett.

 

USS Higbee (DD-806) under repair in Floating Drydock AFDM-6 at the Ship Repair Facility at Subic Bay, Philippines, circa in May 1972. On 19 April 1972, Higbee became the first U.S. warship to be bombed during the Vietnam War, when two North Vietnamese Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17s from the 923rd Fighter Regiment attacked, one of which, piloted by Le Xuan Di, dropped a 250 pound bomb onto Higbee's rear 127 mm gun mount, destroying it. The 127 mm gun crew had been outside their turret, due to a misfire within the mount, when the air attack occurred, which resulted in the wounding of four U.S. sailors. U.S. Navy photo from U.S. Navy All Hands magazine October 1972.

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Painting of the USS Philip (DD-498) and USS Cony (DD-508) on October 27 1943, the destroyers fired at mortar emplacements on Mono Island and then came into Blanche Harbor, Treasury Island, Solomons. Six Val-type enemy planes zoomed into the harbor in an attempt to destroy the transports sitting there. The attack was repelled and Philip did her share by sending one plane away in flames. From the collection of Jesse E. Robson served on the USS Philip in WWII.

 

USS PHILIP (DD-498) Fletcher class in service 1942 to 1968

From a Korean War crewman

 

Japanese Made

 

DESRON 1 KOREA - TASK FORCE 77 & 78

 

USS PHILIP (DDE-498) DESRON ONE 'The Pineapple Patrol', homeport Pearl Harbor

 

NAVAL STATION MIDWAY ISLAND

Ballcap size

 

Philip received nine battle stars for World War II service and five battle stars for Korean War service, participating in the following battles & campaigns

Shortland Islands, Solomons, Vella Lavella, Tulagi, Mono Island, Treasury Islands, Bougainville, Choiseul Bay, Empress Augusta Bay, Marianas, Saipan, Tinian, The Philippines, Mindoro, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Leyte, Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao, Sanga-Sanga and Jolo Islands, Sulu Archipelago, Borneo, Tarakan Island, Brunei Bay, Sarawak, Morotai, Balikpapan.

Korean War, Task Force 77, Task Force 78, Formosa-Taiwan Straits Patrol.

 

After decommissioning in 1968 and while under tandem tow to Kaohsiung for scrapping, with USS Sproston (DD-577), Philip sank
on February 2 1972 at 18° 58' N, 169° 41' E as a result of storm damage.

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/15/2020 at 12:05 PM, Bearmon said:

This is another USS Manley, different color scheme that the one posted earlier  nice patch about 6 inches high and 5 inches across

 

Three different versions of USS MANLEY (DD-940) & an 'A ' Gang Keep on Truckin' 6" Snipe patch

 

 

 

USS MANLEY (DD-940)

Forrest Sherman class in service 1957 to 1983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

USS FARENHOLT (DD-491)

Benson class in service 1942 to 1946

Hard fighting Guadalcanal destroyer damaged several times in 'the slot' with eleven (11) WWII Battle Stars

Reunion Patch

THE FIGHTING "F" USS FARENHOLT (DD-491) WAR II

[Salvage Sailor]

On 12/18/2014 at 7:53 AM, sigsaye said:

I actually remember operating with some of those in the early '70s. My dad was on the Perkins '60-'61

 

For sigsaye

 

USS PERKINS (DD/DDR-877)

Gearing class in service 1945 to 1973

 

Gyrocopter patch

 

DESRON ONE - DESDIV ELEVEN

 

[Salvage Sailor]

 

USS EPPERSON (DD/DDE-719) 

Gearing class in service 1949 to 1975

 

Hawaiian Warriors - Pineapple Fleet Flagship

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

 Insignia: USS BRADFORD (DD-545)

This emblem, seen here as an embroidered insignia patch, was in use about 1961.

Courtesy of Captain G.F. Swainson, USN, 1970.

Catalog #: NH 69540-KN

Naval History and Heritage Command

 

 

USS BRADFORD (DD-545)

Fletcher class in service 1943 to 1961

Bradford received the Navy Unit Commendation for her services as a radar picket ship during the Okinawa operation.

In addition, she received 12 battle stars for her World War II service and six battle stars for her participation in the Korean War.

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 2/11/2022 at 11:28 AM, Bearmon said:

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

 

Three versions of WILLIAM M. WOOD, including the 1950's Gemsco (DDR-715) Bearmon posted. WOOD was a Gearing class destroyer in service from 1945 to 1976. She was a DDR radar picket from 1953 to 1964 and then converted back to DD, continuing her Cold War deployments in the Med.

 

 

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

 

DDR Radar Picket 1956 to 1964

1950's Gemsco

Reverted to DD after 1964 FRAM upgrade

USS WILLIAM M. WOOD (DD-715)

She regained her original DD classification in 1964

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 1/4/2019 at 5:20 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS HANSON (DDR-832) Gearing class in service 1945 to 1973. Hard fighting destroyer which earned 8 battle stars in Korea and 7 battle stars in Vietnam

 

This is her DDR Radar Picket patch circa 1949-1963. She was converted in the FRAM program to a DD in 1964.

 

 

USS HANSON (DD/DDR-832) more versions of her patches

 

 

USS HANSON (DD/DDR-832) Gearing class in service 1945 to 1973

Hard fighting gunfire support destroyer which earned 8 battle stars in Korea and 7 battle stars in Vietnam

 

This is her DDR Radar Picket patch circa 1949-1963

 

USS HANSON (DD-832)

 

She was reconverted in the FRAM program from a DDR to a DD in 1964

 

USS HANSON (DD-832)

Dueling with Shore Batteries on the Vietnam Gunline

 

[Salvage Sailor]

 

USS BACHE (DD/DDE-470)

Fletcher class in service 1942 to 1968

WWII ETO & PTO (struck by Kamikaze), Korea, Cold War, Vietnam gunline, Wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea, 1968

 

Nice long and detailed history of the ship and her engagements here including photographs and battle charts

Link -->  Naval History and Heritage Command Bache II (DD-470) 1942–1968

She had a sad end, the crew having to abandon ship after being driven onto the rocks in a gale off the Greek island of Rhodes

USS BACHE (DDE-470) Convoy Escort Destroyer - Sub Killer 1951 to 1962

 

Beta Royal DDE-470 1951 to 1962

 

 

Reconverted back to DD for Fire Support Missions 1962 to 1973

Vietnam on the Gunline

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

USS ROOKS (DD-804) Undated, location unknown. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 31, Design 6d

 

USS ROOKS (DD-804)

Fletcher class in service 1944 to 1962

 

ROOKS earned three battle stars for World War II services and two battle stars for service in the Korean conflict

 

Gemsco 1950's

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/2/2020 at 11:14 AM, Bearmon said:

Did a search and did not see this ship, USS William C Lawe DD 763

 

USS WILLIAM C. LAWE (DD-763)

Gearing class in service 1946 to 1983

 

 

Gemsco 1950's

 

 

Probably made by Swiss Tex

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

The USS Rowe (DD-564) soon after recommissioning 5 October 1951 at Charleston NY. The Rowe is still in her WWII configuration, except for her search lights and platform on the forward stack being removed. The Rowe remained in this configuration until going into the Charleston NY in August 1952 to be upgraded to the so called 4-gun Standard Configuration ... losing the #53 5" gun mount and replacing all the 40mm guns with three twin 3" guns.

 

USS ROWE (DD-564)

Fletcher class in service 1944 to 1959

 

 

Two ladies admire the moored USS Rowe (DD-564) while she pays a visit to the Naval Academy during June Week 1956.

Photo by George Cook of the Baltimore Sun Newspaper (June 2 1956)

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 9/27/2019 at 7:35 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS WILTSIE (DD-716) Gearing class in service 1946 to 1976, FRAM upgrade in 1961 - Wiltsie received nine battle stars for Korean War service and seven for Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

Another Version of USS WILTSIE (DD-716)

 

 

USS WILTSIE (DD-716) Gearing class in service 1946 to 1976, FRAM upgrade in 1961

WILTSIE received nine battle stars for Korean War service and seven for Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 11/24/2017 at 8:33 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

 

More versions, Gearing class USS GLENNON (DD-840) In service 1945 to 1976

 

 

 

Gearing class USS GLENNON (DD-840) In service 1945 to 1976

 

 

Gemsco Versions of USS GLENNON (DD-840), Gearing class in service 1945 to 1976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

USS ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAM (DD-752)

Three war Allen M. Sumner class in service 1944 to 1971

 

 

 

 

The Sailor added his hull number '752' to this Japanese novelty patch

 

Post from USMF member PFA Ken, posted for reference

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/27/2021 at 10:02 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

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

 

USS HARRY E. HUBBARD (DD-748) 

 

 

 

 

Big & Bigger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/27/2021 at 10:02 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

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

 

USS HARRY E. HUBBARD (DD-748) 

 

 

 

 

...and the even more difficult to find 'H' patch

 

USS HARRRY E. HUBBARD (DD-748)

Machinist Mate 'H' patch

 

 

...and her Japanese made WWII & Korean War eight (8) Battle Stars patch (pre-Vietnam)

she received another six campaign stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for operations off Vietnam

Eamus Domus - (if it should snow,) We would go home

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 3/3/2019 at 9:19 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS LOWRY (DD-770)

Allen M. Sumner class three war destroyer in service 1944 to 1973

 

 

WWII alongside a carrier at sea

 

 

 

USS LOWRY (DD-770) Allen M. Sumner class three-war destroyer in service 1944 to 1973 - Four battle stars for World War II serviceTwo campaign stars for Korean War service & two for Vietnam service

 

While in combat environment, she was credited with the destruction of six watercraft, eight bunkers and nineteen miscellaneous enemy structures. Forty-two Bunkers, forty one enemy structures and two watercraft were left damaged severely by her guns.

 

 

 

USS LOWRY (DD-770)

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

USS SAUFLEY (DD-465) (EDDE-465) Experimental Destroyer

In commissioned service 1942 to 1965

Remained in experimental service at Key West until 1968

 

 

Guadalcanal, Solomons, Lunga Point, Russell Islands, Pavuvu, Banika, Rendova, New Georgia, New Hebridies, Vella LaVella, Espiritu Santo (sank RO-101), Kolombangara and Choiseul (sank four barges), Rabaul, Bougainville, Green Islands, Emirau Island (sank I-2), Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Camotes Sea (another sub sunk), Lingayen Gulf, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Nasugbu (sank attacking Japanese 'hell boat'), Manila Bay, Mindoro, Sanga Sanga, Balikpapan, Morotai

 

On 1 January 1951, the escort destroyer was reclassified an Experimental Escort Destroyer, EDDE-465, and assigned to experimental work under the control of Commander, Operational Development Force. A unit of DesDiv 601, she was home ported at Key West; and, for the next twelve years, was primarily engaged in testing and evaluating sonar equipment and antisubmarine warfare weapons.

 

 

On 1 July 1962, Saufley was redesignated a general purpose destroyer and regained her original designation, DD-465. At the end of that month, she participated in the filming of the movie "PT-109." In September, she resumed test and evaluation work. In late October, she was placed on standby; and, after the proclamation of the Cuban Quarantine, she commenced patrols off the coast of Florida. She continued that duty until 20 November; then returned to Key West. On the 26th, she participated in a Presidential review of the Quarantine Force.

 

For the next two years, Saufley continued her experimental projects, interrupting those operations only for scheduled exercises, sonar school ship duties; and, in the spring of 1963, assistance in the search for Thresher (SSN-593).

 

 

Ordered back to Norfolk in the fall of 1964, Saufley was decommissioned on 29 January 1965. Her use as an experimental ship, however, continued. In 1967, instruments and gauges to register strain and stress of successive explosions were installed; and, in February 1968, as a result of tests, she was sunk off Key West.

 

Saufley earned 16 battle stars during World War II.

 

Experimental Destroyer EDDE-465

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 12/4/2022 at 1:27 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

USS EPPERSON (DD/DDE-719) 

Gearing class in service 1949 to 1975

 

Hawaiian Warriors - Pineapple Fleet Flagship

 

 

 

 

More from the USS EPPERSON (DD-719) 

 

 

USS EPPERSON (DDE-719)

Pineapple Fleet Pearl Harbor

'Beware Below'

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

USS PUTNAM (DD-757)

Allen M. Sumner class in service 1944 to 1973

USS Putnam (DD 757), coming alongside the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain (CVS-39) for refueling at sea on 12 October 1964. AN Darrell L. Johnson, U.S. Navy. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 107151

 

 

Atlantic Fleet & 6th Fleet

Putnam was one of three destroyers assigned 19–25 April 1948 to the United Nations mediator, Count Folke Bernadotte, to attempt to maintain peace between Arab and Israeli forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. When the truce temporarily broke down Putnam stood into Haifa 23 July to evacuate the UN team from that port. She was thus the first U.S. Navy ship to fly the United Nations flag.

 

Gemsco Version

 

Screengrab from the film "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" (1954) showing Putnam steaming close alongside Oriskany (CVA-34)

 

Putnam, in late 1954, had a prominent role in the movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri filmed on the West Coast, as the destroyer steaming alongside the USS Oriskany, receiving via transfer lines disciplinary-transferred helicopter pilot Mickey Rooney and aircrewman Earl Holliman.

 

Unknown maker