About this Unit
USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in April 1945, near the end of World War II. Although she missed combat in WWII, the Everett F. Larson served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening for aircraft carriers. Throughout the Cold War, she was deployed in both the Atlantic and Pacific, participating in anti-submarine warfare exercises and supporting U.S. commitments in the Taiwan Strait and Vietnam. The ship was decommissioned in 1972 and subsequently transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, where she served as ROKS Jeong Buk until her retirement.
Historical Facts
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Fletcher-Class Destroyer: USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830) was a Gearing-class destroyer, not a Fletcher-class, commissioned by the United States Navy after World War II.
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Commissioning: The ship was launched on March 3, 1945, by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned on April 6, 1945, just months before the end of World War II.
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Namesake: The USS Everett F. Larson was named in honor of Private First Class Everett Frederick Larson, USMC, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism during the Battle of Tarawa in World War II.
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Korean War Service: The destroyer saw significant action during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and participating in blockade operations.
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Cold War Operations: During the Cold War, USS Everett F. Larson operated extensively in the Pacific, assisting with patrols, training exercises, and showing American naval presence in response to Soviet activities.
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FRAM Modernization: In the early 1960s, she underwent FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) upgrades, which extended her service life and equipped her with advanced antisubmarine warfare capabilities.
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Vietnam War Deployments: The ship was deployed multiple times to Vietnam, participating in "Operation Sea Dragon" and providing naval gunfire support for ground troops.
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Rescue Operations: USS Everett F. Larson was involved in several search and rescue operations, assisting downed pilots and distressed vessels throughout her service.
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Decommissioning and Transfer: She was decommissioned from U.S. Navy service in 1972 and transferred to the Republic of South Korea, where she served as ROKS Jeon Ju (DD-925).
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Legacy: Over almost three decades of service, the USS Everett F. Larson earned eight battle stars for her Korean War service and seven battle stars for her Vietnam War service, marking her as a highly decorated warship.
