USS Floyd B. Parks

• Namesake: USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884) was named after Marine Major Floyd Bruce Parks, a Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in action during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. • Class and Launch: The ship was a Gearing-class destroyer, launched on 31 March 1945 and commissioned on 31 July 1945, just weeks before the end of World War II. • Korean War Service: Parks was deployed to Korean waters in 1950, providing naval gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and participating in the blockade of North Korea. • Vietnam War Duty: During the Vietnam War, the destroyer served multiple tours, supporting carrier operations, conducting gunfire missions against shore targets, and operating on "Yankee Station." • FRAM Modernization: Parks underwent Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) Mark I conversion in 1962, receiving new anti-submarine warfare equipment, including ASROC and DASH drone helicopters. • Collision Incident: In 1956, the ship collided with the USS Columbus (CA-74) in heavy fog off Southern California, suffering serious bow damage that required it to be towed to San Francisco for repairs. • Cold War Patrols: The destroyer conducted Taiwan Strait patrols, participated in SEATO exercises, and operated in the Pacific as part of the US Navy's Cold War presence in Asia. • Humanitarian Missions: Parks was involved in rescue operations, including saving the crew of a downed aircraft and assisting distressed vessels during her deployments. • Decommissioning and Transfer: After over 30 years of service, Parks was decommissioned on 2 July 1973 and transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, where she served as ROKS Sam Chung (DD-73). • Legacy: USS Floyd B. Parks earned five battle stars for her service in the Korean War and two for Vietnam, reflecting her distinguished and active career in two major conflicts.