About this Unit
USS CHARLES H. ROAN (DD-853) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous Cold War operations, including NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments with the Sixth Fleet. The ship played a significant role during the Suez Crisis in 1956, providing support and maintaining stability in the region. After nearly three decades of active duty, USS CHARLES H. ROAN was decommissioned in 1973 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she continued to serve under the name TCG Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Heroism: USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853) was named after Private First Class Charles Howard Roan, a Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Peleliu in World War II, where he sacrificed himself to save his fellow Marines.
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Gearing-Class Destroyer: The ship was a Gearing-class destroyer, a class known for its durability, speed, and versatility, forming a backbone of the U.S. Navy’s destroyer force in the Cold War era.
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Commissioning and Service: USS Charles H. Roan was commissioned on September 12, 1946, and served through pivotal periods including the Cold War and the Vietnam War.
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Korean War Deployment: She served in Korean waters from 1953, providing escort and patrol duties during the tense final months of the Korean War.
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Collision at Sea: In 1957, the destroyer collided with the USS Brownson (DD-868) during night exercises off the coast of New England, resulting in significant damage but no loss of life.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Charles H. Roan participated in the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, playing a role in the critical U.S. response to Soviet missile deployments in Cuba.
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Vietnam War Operations: The ship saw active service off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and carrier escort missions for the U.S. Seventh Fleet during the conflict.
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FRAM Overhaul: In the early 1960s, Charles H. Roan received a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul, upgrading her anti-submarine warfare capabilities with new sonar, ASROC, and helicopter facilities.
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Turkish Service: After being decommissioned from the U.S. Navy in 1973, the ship was transferred to Turkey and served as TCG Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak (D-349) until 1995.
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Decorations and Legacy: The USS Charles H. Roan earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and several campaign medals, and is remembered for her long and distinguished service spanning nearly five decades.
