DD DDE DDR DESTROYERS Greyhounds of the Fleet

[Salvage Sailor]

USS OWEN (DD-536)

Fletcher class in service 1943 to 1958

 

USS OWEN earned 9 battle stars during World War II; 2 during the Korean War

 

 

 

 

 

[Bearmon]

USS Hollister DD 788. six inches across Japanese manufacture. 

[Bearmon]

Another large patch USS Cowell DD 547 just over 6 inches Japanese manufacture. 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/23/2019 at 10:04 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS TAUSSIG (DD-746) Three-war Allen M Sumner class in service 1944 to 1970. Taussig earned six battle stars during World War II, eight battle stars during the Korean War, and six battle stars during the Vietnam War.

 

Bullion patch dated 5 June 1961 Hong Kong made, TAUSSIG's call sign was BROADSWORD

 

More patches from "Broadsword"...

 

USS TAUSSIG (DD-746)

Three-war Allen M Sumner class in service 1944 to 1970

Taussig earned six battle stars during World War II, eight battle stars during the Korean War, and six battle stars during the Vietnam War

 

Photo taken during an amphibious landing near the DMZ in 1969

 

 

Burned out on the gunline

September 1969 at Subic Bay, Seaman L. J. Kusak and GMCS A. A. Epperson from USS Dixie (AD-14) install a new 5" gun barrel

Photo by Terry Borchers, NPC 1143149

 

USS TAUSSIG Call Sign "BROADSWORD"

Around the clock on call gunfire

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 5/2/2017 at 10:52 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

 

USS MORTON (DD-948) Forrest Sherman class Destroyer in service 1959 to 1982

 

 

 

More from the USS MORTON (DD-948), 'The Saltiest Ship in the Fleet!'

 

 

 

 

US made by Gemsco

 

Gemsco 1950's

 

 

Vietnam Era

[Salvage Sailor]

USS GREGORY (DD-802)

Fletcher class in service 1944 to 1964

February 1 1960, entering San Diego after a WestPac cruise that began on 31 August 1959.

 

Decommissioned February 1 1964 as the result of a night collision at sea with the USS McDermut on September 10, 1963 while engaged in submarine training exercises.  Stricken May 1 1966.  Gregory served as training hulk Indocrinator May 20 1966 - January 8 1971 to train new recruits for Cold War/Vietnam service.  Fate Grounded as target on San Clemente Island Cal. March 4 1971.

 

Patch circa 1950's prior to her collision with McDermut

 

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Title: Insignia: USS STOCKHAM (DD-683)

Caption: This emblem was in use about 1957.

Catalog #: NH 68130-KN

Copyright Owner: Naval History and Heritage Command

Original Medium: BW Photo

 

...and the patch in it's true colors

Easy to date the time period on this one, she was recommissioned in late 1951 for Korea and decommissioned again in 1957

 

USS STOCKHAM (DD-683)

Fletcher class in service 1944 to 1957

 

The STOCKHAM leaving Newport, R.I. circa late 1953

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/24/2017 at 8:06 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS STEINAKER (DD-863) Gearing class in service 1945 to 1982

 

 

USS STEINAKER (DDR-863) She was a Radar Picket from 1952 to 1964

 

 

 

1960's cut edge and 1970's Swiss Tex

 

 

 

 

USS STEINAKER (DD-863)

'STINKY'

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

One of my favorite USN Gemsco designs

 

SEA HAWKS

USS HAWKINS (DD-873)

Gearing class in service 1944 to 1979

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 6/12/2017 at 1:32 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

 

USS NEW (DDE-818) Gearing class n service 1945 to 1976

1950 DDE Hedgehog patch

 

 

 

USS NEW (DD-818) Different version

 

 

 

USS NEW (DDE-818)

"Taken in 1953 sent to me Jim Norris who was then a LTJG and disbursing officer." navsource.com

 

A "New" Bright Blue USS NEW

USS NEW (DDE-818) Gearing class n service 1945 to 1976

1950 DDE Hedgehog patch

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr

 

USS JOSEPH P. KENNEDY JR (DD-850)

Gearing class in service 1945 to 1973

 

Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr., older brother of future President John F. Kennedy, was born in Nantasket, Massachusetts, 25 July 1915. He attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School, enlisting in the Naval Reserve 24 June 1941. After flight training, Kennedy was commissioned Ensign 5 May 1942. He served with Patrol Squadron 203 (VP-203) and Bombing Squadron 110 (VB-110). He was appointed Lieutenant 01 July 1944. While attached to VB-110, Lt. Kennedy took part in a secret project to destroy German V-2 rocket launching sites by the use of radio controlled drone aircraft loaded with explosives. The plane, a Consolidated PB4Y-1 (Bureau No. 32271) of VB-110, could not take off by radio control, however, and Kennedy volunteered to take her into the air where guidance systems would take over. After exhaustive preparations he and another brave flyer, Lt. Wilford J. Willy, took off from Fersfield–Winfarthing in Norfolk 12 August 1944. The target was the giant 150mm German ‘Super-Gun’ site at Mimoyecques near Calais. However, the aircraft exploded over Blythburgh with two enormous blasts, killing both officers. Both pilots were awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for this dangerous mission in the drone Liberator bomber. Kennedy's citation testifies: "Intrepid and daring in his tactics and with unwavering confidence in the vital importance of his task, he willingly risked his life in the supreme measure of service, and, by his great personal valor and fortitude in carrying out a perilous undertaking, sustained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

 

 

Bullion DD-850

 

Fore River Shipyard on 26 July 1945, on the occasion of the launching of the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850). The ship's sponsor, Jean Ann Kennedy, had just christened the ship. The Kennedy Family who attended are from left to right: Kathleen Agnes Kennedy, Jean Ann Kennedy (with roses), Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, thirteen year old Edward "Teddy" Moore Kennedy, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and Eunice Mary Kennedy.

 

 

 

At sea in 1962 with her Gyrocopter on the helipad

 

QH-50C DASH on deck, 07 November 1967. Photo by PHAN P. O'Gorman, NPC K-41942

all photos from navsource.com

[Salvage Sailor]

On 1/16/2018 at 9:05 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS HEWITT (DD-966) Spruance class in service 1976 to 2001, Motto 'Be Just and Fear Not'. Cold war and Desert Storm campaign

 

 

This is her 1976 commissioning photo, rocker and Swiss Tex patch

 

 

USS HEWITT (DD-966) Spruance class in service 1976 to 2001, Motto 'Be Just and Fear Not'. Cold war and Desert Storm campaign

 

On 1 September 1985, Hewitt and other members of Destroyer Squadron 31 became the first Pacific Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron. The squadron's basic mission was to locate and track submarines in the Eastern Pacific, to develop USW tactics and training, and to serve as a ready response force under Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. From September 1985 to April 1987, Hewitt and the other ships in DesRon 31 set new standards of excellence in USW.

 

 

Cold War Sub Killer patch

 

 

 

Desert Storm - 1990's era patch

 

 

USS HEWITT (DD-966)

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

 

USS CARON (DD-970)

Spruance class in service 1977 to 2001

'Urgent Fury' (Grenada), Gulf of Sidra, Desert Storm, Black Sea Ops, Haiti, Southern Watch

 

Medal of Honor, RVN

 

Petty Officer Wayne M. Caron, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon corpsman with Company K, during combat operations against enemy forces. While on a sweep through an open rice field Petty Officer Caron's unit started receiving enemy small-arms fire. Upon seeing 2 Marine casualties fall, he immediately ran forward to render first aid, but found that they were dead. At this time, the platoon was taken under intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, sustaining additional casualties. As he moved to the aid of his wounded comrades, Petty Officer Caron was hit in the arm by enemy fire. Although knocked to the ground, he regained his feet and continued to the injured Marines. He rendered medical assistance to the first Marine he reached, who was grievously wounded, and undoubtedly was instrumental in saving the man's life. Petty Officer Caron then ran toward the second wounded Marine, but was again hit by enemy f ire, this time in the leg. Nonetheless, he crawled the remaining distance and provided medical aid for this severely wounded, man. Petty Officer Caron started to make his way to yet another injured comrade, when he was again struck by enemy small-arms fire. Courageously and with unbelievable determination, Petty Officer Caron continued his attempt to reach the third Marine until he was killed by an enemy rocket round. By his inspiring valor, steadfast determination, and selfless dedication to duty, Petty Officer Caron reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. /s/ Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States

 

 

Operation Urgent Fury - Grenada

All told, Caron’s search and rescue efforts saved 41 soldiers and sailors

 

After embarking Capt. Grant A. Sharp, Commander, DesRon 32, on 19 October 1983, Caron got underway for deployment to the Mediterranean the following day as part of the Independence Battle Group. However, on 21 October, Caron was detached from the battle group and diverted to Grenada at “max speed” in support of Operation Urgent Fury.

 

As the first U.S. Navy ship to arrive on the scene on 23 October 1983, Caron paused 12 miles off the coast of Grenada to gather intelligence. With the Special Forces amphibious assault on the island already underway, in the early morning hours of 25 October, destroyer Moosbrugger (DD-980) and guided missile frigate Clifton Sprague (FFG-16) joined Caron, and the ships steamed at 25 knots for Point Saline with their arrival planned for daybreak. While advancing toward the island, Caron recovered a small craft with 12 Special Forces troops embarked that had been carried to sea by strong currents. Later in the morning while conducting a search and rescue operation for a downed Bell AH-1T Cobra of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 near St. George’s Harbor, Caron avoided enemy mortar rounds while operating close to shore.

 

On the afternoon of the 25th, Caron fired her 5-inch guns towards the site of the communist propaganda station “Radio Free Grenada,” allowing a 12-man Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) team to evade enemy forces surrounding their position there. That night, as fighting continued to rage on the island, Caron responded to a visual signal from shore and rescued ten of the SEALs who had escaped from the radio transmitter site, two of whom had suffered serious injuries. While Caron’s medical staff treated the wounded men, the destroyer directed Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawks to the beach to rescue the two remaining SEALs from the team. The following evening, the ship also saved 11 U.S. Army Rangers whose helicopter had crashed.

 

Caption: “USS Caron Neutralizes Radio Free Grenada – Beausejour Bay.” (U.S. Navy Photograph DN-SC-85-07100 of artwork by unknown artist dated 1983, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md.)

 

Caron remained on the scene at Grenada through 2 November 1983. During this time, she continued to patrol within range of hostile gunfire, ready to provide naval gunfire support for land and amphibious troops. All told, Caron’s search and rescue efforts saved 41 soldiers and sailors. “Caron demonstrated in a wartime environment what our forces are capable of,” Capt. Sharp remarked, “and the readiness that ‘Can-Do’ Caron is known for.” For her actions in the Grenadian conflict, Caron received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

 

Black Sea Ops - Freedom of the Seas

Playing 'Bumperships' with Ivan 1985 & 1988

 

 

On 12 February 1988 Caron was lightly rammed by Soviet Mirka II class light frigate (FFL 824) in the Black Sea

 

 

February 12 1988, Black Sea, a Soviet Mirka II class light frigate (FFL 824) approaches the destroyer USS Caron (DD 970 ) as it prepares to strike the American vessel. The Caron is exercising the right of free passage through the Soviet-claimed 12-mile territorial waters.

 

 

 

Middle East Force 1996

 

[erichjr]

USS Daniel A. Joy destroyer escort. Foreign made??

[erichjr]

USS Waller destroyer escort DDE 466

[KurtA]

16 minutes ago, erichjr said:

USS Daniel A. Joy destroyer escort. Foreign made??

US-made chenille embroidery.