USS Bigelow (DD 942)

• Namesake: USS Bigelow (DD-942) was named after Elmer Charles Bigelow, a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions aboard USS Fletcher during World War II, where he sacrificed his life to save his ship from a magazine fire. • Class and Type: The USS Bigelow was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, one of 18 ships in the class, known for their advanced (for the era) armament and design. • Commissioning: USS Bigelow was commissioned on 8 November 1957 at the Boston Naval Shipyard, with Commander Edward J. Cummings as her first commanding officer. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, USS Bigelow participated in the naval quarantine of Cuba, enforcing the blockade and helping to prevent the delivery of Soviet missiles. • Vietnam War Service: Bigelow served multiple tours in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support for ground troops and participating in "Operation Sea Dragon" to interdict enemy supply lines. • First to Get ASROC: USS Bigelow was the first Forrest Sherman-class destroyer to be equipped with the ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) system, significantly enhancing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities. • Arctic Operations: In 1960, USS Bigelow participated in Operation "Amigo," which included Arctic Circle operations, showcasing the ship’s versatility in extreme environments. • Collision at Sea: On 14 January 1969, Bigelow collided with the USS Manley (DD-940) during night operations off the coast of North Carolina, resulting in damage but no fatalities. • Space Program Support: The destroyer served as a recovery ship for several early NASA missions, including supporting Mercury and Gemini missions as a backup recovery vessel in the Atlantic. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Bigelow was decommissioned on 5 November 1982. After being held in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, she was sold for scrap in 1992, marking the end of her 25-year career.