USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830)

• Namesake: The USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830) was named in honor of Private First Class Everett Frederick Larson, a U.S. Marine who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of Tarawa in World War II. • Gearing-class Destroyer: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the most numerous and effective classes of destroyers built for the U.S. Navy during and after World War II. • Commissioning: USS Everett F. Larson was commissioned on 6 April 1945, just months before the end of World War II. • Late WWII Service: Although commissioned during WWII, she did not see combat in the war due to the timing of her completion and shakedown training. • Korean War Deployments: The destroyer served extensively during the Korean War, performing escort, patrol, bombardment, and search-and-rescue operations. • FRAM Modernization: In the early 1960s, she underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM I) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare capabilities, adding new sonar and weapons systems. • Vietnam War Service: USS Everett F. Larson took part in several deployments during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties for aircraft carriers, and search-and-rescue operations. • Notable Rescue: In 1967, the ship played a key role in rescuing downed American pilots off the coast of Vietnam, saving several airmen under hostile conditions. • Transfer to South Korea: After decommissioning from U.S. service in 1972, the ship was transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, serving as ROKS Jeonju (DD-925) until 1999. • Final Fate: After her long service, the former USS Everett F. Larson was scrapped in 2000, marking the end of a career that spanned over five decades and two navies.