USS Fechteler (DD 870)

• Namesake: USS Fechteler (DD-870) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Augustus Francis Fechteler, a distinguished officer in the United States Navy. • Class and Type: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the largest and most advanced classes of destroyers built by the US during and after World War II. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 2 March 1946, after being launched at Consolidated Steel Corporation in Orange, Texas. • Korean War Service: USS Fechteler served actively during the Korean War, providing escort, patrol, and shore bombardment duties. • FRAM Overhaul: In the early 1960s, she underwent Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) conversion, receiving updated anti-submarine warfare equipment and a new superstructure. • Vietnam War Operations: She participated in multiple deployments to the Vietnam theater, serving in roles such as gunfire support, plane guard for carriers, and search and rescue. • Cold War Patrols: During the Cold War, Fechteler conducted patrols and exercises in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, often operating alongside allied navies. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship took part in humanitarian operations, including rescuing Vietnamese refugees (boat people) in the South China Sea. • Decommissioning and Transfer: USS Fechteler was decommissioned in 1970 and transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Piyalepasa (D350). • Legacy: The ship's long career spanned over two decades, encompassing service in three major conflicts and two navies, reflecting the adaptability and endurance of the Gearing-class destroyers.