USS Basilone (DD-824)

• Namesake Heroism: USS Basilone (DD-824) was named after Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism at the Battle of Guadalcanal and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. • Gearing-class Destroyer: Basilone was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of 98 built during and just after World War II, designed for improved range and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. • Commissioning Date: The ship was commissioned on July 26, 1949, well after World War II had ended, and went on to serve during the Cold War era. • Korean War Service: Although commissioned after WWII, Basilone participated in operations supporting the Korean War, including patrols and exercises in the Western Pacific. • FRAM Modernization: In 1963, Basilone underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare equipment, including the addition of ASROC and DASH systems. • Cuban Missile Crisis: Basilone was deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, participating in the quarantine and patrol operations that helped prevent escalation. • Vietnam War Deployments: The destroyer made multiple deployments to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving on "Yankee Station" in the Gulf of Tonkin. • Rescue Operations: Basilone was involved in rescuing downed pilots and sailors in several incidents, reflecting the versatility and humanitarian roles of destroyers during conflict. • Decommissioning and Transfer: Basilone was decommissioned from U.S. Navy service on November 21, 1977, and was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she served as ROCS Hsun Yang (DD-16). • Legacy and Honors: The USS Basilone is remembered for its decades-long service and connection to one of the most decorated Marines in U.S. history. The ship’s bell is preserved at the Basilone Memorial Foundation in Raritan, New Jersey.