USS Ault (DD-698)

• Namesake: USS Ault (DD-698) was named after Commander William Bowen Ault, a naval aviator killed during the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. • Class: The USS Ault was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, a class known for improved anti-aircraft capabilities and dual-purpose guns. • Commissioned in WWII: USS Ault was commissioned on 31 January 1944 and saw immediate action in the Pacific Theater during World War II. • Kamikaze Attacks: During the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945, Ault narrowly escaped damage from several kamikaze attacks, showcasing the ship’s crew’s vigilance and effective anti-aircraft fire. • Radar Picket Duty: The destroyer served on hazardous radar picket duty off Okinawa, providing early warning of incoming air raids and often coming under heavy enemy attack. • Korean War Service: After WWII, the USS Ault was recommissioned for service in the Korean War, supporting carrier operations and shore bombardments. • Operation Market Time: During the Vietnam War, Ault participated in Operation Market Time, a coastal interdiction effort to prevent the flow of arms and supplies to North Vietnamese forces. • Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM): In the early 1960s, Ault underwent FRAM modernization, receiving updated anti-submarine warfare equipment to extend her operational life. • Friendly Fire Incident: In 1967, Ault was mistakenly fired upon by a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber during exercises, but escaped serious damage. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Ault was decommissioned on 16 July 1973 after nearly 30 years of service, and was sold for scrap in 1974, marking the end of her storied career.