USS Charles S Sperry DD697

• Namesake: USS Charles S. Sperry (DD-697) was named after Rear Admiral Charles Stillman Sperry, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who commanded the Great White Fleet during its historic circumnavigation of the globe (1907-1909). • Class: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, one of the most advanced destroyer classes of World War II, featuring improved anti-aircraft armament and radar over previous designs. • World War II Service: Commissioned on May 17, 1944, USS Charles S. Sperry participated in major Pacific campaigns, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and operations against Japanese forces in the Philippines and Okinawa. • Kamikaze Defense: During the Okinawa campaign in 1945, the ship provided vital anti-aircraft defense against frequent kamikaze attacks, helping protect larger vessels and troop transports. • Typhoon Encounter: USS Charles S. Sperry survived the powerful Typhoon Louise in October 1945, suffering only minor damage while many other ships were grounded or sunk. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, the destroyer performed escort, patrol, and bombardment missions off the Korean peninsula from 1951 to 1953. • Cold War Deployments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she took part in NATO exercises, Mediterranean cruises, and deployments with the 6th Fleet, reflecting U.S. naval commitments during the Cold War. • Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, USS Charles S. Sperry was part of the U.S. naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis, helping to enforce the blockade against Soviet ships. • Humanitarian Mission: In 1957, the ship assisted in rescue operations following the collision of the Swedish ship Stockholm and Italian liner Andrea Doria off the coast of Nantucket. • Decommissioning and Fate: The ship was decommissioned on December 15, 1973, and later sunk as a target in 1974, ending nearly 30 years of distinguished service.