DD705 USS COMPTON

• Commissioning and Class: USS Compton (DD-705) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, commissioned on 4 November 1944 at the tail end of World War II. • Namesake: The ship was named after Commodore Andrew H. Compton, a noted US Navy officer who served in the 19th century. • Pacific War Service: Shortly after commissioning, Compton joined the Pacific Fleet and participated in operations supporting the Okinawa campaign in 1945, providing vital anti-aircraft and anti-submarine screening. • Kamikaze Encounters: During the Okinawa campaign, Compton endured intense kamikaze attacks and was instrumental in shooting down several enemy planes, saving larger ships from potential damage. • Post-War Occupation Duties: After Japan’s surrender, Compton was involved in occupation duties, helping to stabilize the region and repatriate Allied prisoners of war. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, USS Compton provided gunfire support for United Nations troops and participated in blockade operations along the Korean coast. • Cold War Patrols: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Compton conducted NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and anti-submarine patrols, reflecting her adaptability in the Cold War era. • Cuban Missile Crisis: The destroyer played a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine in 1962, enforcing the naval blockade that pressured the Soviet Union to withdraw its missiles from Cuba. • Humanitarian Missions: Compton was involved in several rescue operations at sea, including saving the crew of a burning merchant ship in the Atlantic, showcasing the destroyer’s versatility beyond combat. • Final Fate: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Compton was decommissioned in December 1972 and transferred to Greece, where she served as Kriezis (D217) until her retirement and eventual scrapping.