About this Unit
USS Maddox (DD-732) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944. She saw extensive action during World War II in the Pacific, providing fire support during landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and surviving several kamikaze attacks. After the war, Maddox served in the Korean War, conducting shore bombardment and patrol duties. Notably, in August 1964, Maddox was involved in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, which led to the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. The ship was decommissioned in 1969 and later transferred to the Republic of China Navy.
Historical Facts
• USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-732) was a Sumner-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named after Allen Melancthon Sumner, a decorated Marine Corps captain killed in World War I.
• Launched in 1943: The ship was launched on December 15, 1943, by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned on January 26, 1944.
• World War II Service: DD-732 participated in numerous Pacific campaigns, including the Battle of Okinawa, where it provided anti-aircraft support.
• Kamikaze Attack: On May 1, 1945, the USS Allen M. Sumner was hit by a kamikaze, causing significant damage and casualties, but her crew managed to keep her afloat and fighting.
• Post-WWII Operations: After the war, the destroyer helped with occupation duties in Japan and China, supporting the stabilization of the region.
• Korean War Involvement: The ship was recommissioned for service during the Korean War, providing gunfire support and screening for carriers.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, the ship was part of the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis, helping enforce the quarantine of Cuba.
• Vietnam War Deployment: The USS Allen M. Sumner served multiple tours off Vietnam, offering naval gunfire support to ground troops and participating in coastal patrols.
• Decommissioning and Transfer: The destroyer was decommissioned in August 1973 and transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Fu Yang (DD-907).
• Legacy: The Allen M. Sumner-class represented a significant evolution in destroyer design, featuring improved anti-aircraft weaponry and radar systems, influencing US destroyer design for decades.
