USS Bristol (DD-857)

• Fletcher-class Destroyer: USS Bristol (DD-857) was a Gearing-class, not a Fletcher-class, destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy at the end of World War II. • Named After a Fallen Commander: The ship was named in honor of Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol, a distinguished naval officer who served during World War I and later as U.S. High Commissioner in Turkey. • World War II Service: USS Bristol was commissioned too late to see combat in World War II, entering service on 17 March 1945. • Korean War Duty: The destroyer participated in the Korean War, providing gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and performing patrol duties. • Cold War Operations: During the Cold War, Bristol was heavily involved in anti-submarine warfare exercises and NATO operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. • FRAM Modernization: The ship underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program in the early 1960s, receiving advanced anti-submarine weapons and radar upgrades. • Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Bristol played a role in the U.S. naval quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship assisted in rescue operations and provided aid to civilian ships in distress during her deployments. • Service in the Turkish Navy: After being decommissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1969, the ship was transferred to Turkey and served as TCG Alanya (D-605) until 1981. • Legacy: USS Bristol (DD-857) earned several awards for her service, including battle stars for her role in the Korean War, and is remembered as a versatile and reliable warship throughout her decades of service.