About this Unit
The USS Forrest B. Royal (DD-872) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1946. Named in honor of Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal, she served extensively during the Cold War era, participating in patrols, training exercises, and fleet operations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During the Vietnam War, the Forrest B. Royal provided naval gunfire support, plane guard duties, and participated in search and rescue operations. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1976 and later transferred to the Taiwanese Navy, where she continued her service under a new flag.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Forrest B. Royal (DD-872) was named after Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served in both World Wars and passed away in 1945.
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Class and Type: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, a class known for its advanced anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capabilities during the latter part of World War II and the Cold War.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 5 July 1946, after World War II had ended, and so she did not see action during that conflict.
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Korean War Service: USS Forrest B. Royal participated in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers during United Nations operations.
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Cold War Operations: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the ship participated in numerous Cold War missions, including NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments as part of the 6th Fleet.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Forrest B. Royal was deployed to help enforce the naval quarantine of Cuba, playing a critical role in this pivotal moment of the Cold War.
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Vietnam War Service: She served multiple tours off Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and participating in operations such as Sea Dragon and Market Time.
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Modernization: In the early 1960s, Forrest B. Royal underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM I) program, which updated her anti-submarine warfare capabilities with new sonar, radar, and torpedo systems.
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Rescue Operations: The ship was involved in numerous rescues at sea, including saving the crew of a burning merchant vessel and assisting distressed ships during her service.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Forrest B. Royal was decommissioned on 1 July 1976, struck from the Naval Vessel Register, and later sold for scrap in 1977, ending over three decades of distinguished service.
