USS Bordelon (DDR 881)

• Namesake: USS Bordelon (DDR-881) was named after Marine Staff Sergeant William J. Bordelon, a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions during the Battle of Tarawa in World War II. • Gearing-class Destroyer: The ship was a Gearing-class destroyer, launched on 3 December 1945, and commissioned on 5 March 1946 at the Consolidated Steel Corporation shipyard in Orange, Texas. • Korean War Service: USS Bordelon served in the Korean War, participating in combat operations and screening aircraft carriers during the conflict. • Radar Picket Conversion: In 1952, Bordelon was converted to a radar picket destroyer (DDR), enhancing her capabilities for early warning and air defense. • Cuban Missile Crisis: She played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine in October 1962, helping enforce the naval blockade around Cuba. • Space Program Support: USS Bordelon was part of recovery operations for America’s early manned space missions, standing by as a recovery ship for astronaut missions. • Vietnam War Service: Bordelon served in the Vietnam War, providing gunfire support for ground troops and performing search and rescue missions. • Collision with USS John F. Kennedy: On 14 September 1976, Bordelon was involved in a serious collision with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) during night operations off the coast of Scotland, suffering heavy damage. • Decommissioning and Fate: The ship was decommissioned on 1 February 1977 due to the extent of the damage and was later sold for scrap in 1977. • Battle Honors: USS Bordelon earned two battle stars for her service in the Korean War and two for her service in the Vietnam War.