About this Unit
USS FRED T. BERRY (DD-858) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945, named in honor of Commander Fred Thomas Berry, a distinguished naval officer. Although commissioned too late for combat in World War II, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, NATO exercises, and patrols. Notably, FRED T. BERRY played a role in anti-submarine warfare operations and supported the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade in 1962. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1970 and later sunk as part of an artificial reef project off the coast of Florida.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858) was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Fred Thomas Berry, a U.S. Navy officer and submarine commander who was lost aboard USS S-28 (SS-133) in 1944.
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Class and Type: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, the most numerous class of destroyers built for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
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Launch and Commission: The ship was launched on 28 January 1945 by Bethlehem Steel Company in San Pedro, California, and commissioned on 12 May 1945.
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World War II Service: Although commissioned too late to see combat in World War II, she participated in postwar occupation duties in the Far East, including Japan and China.
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Korean War Operations: The Fred T. Berry saw active service during the Korean War, performing escort, patrol, and bombardment duties off the Korean peninsula.
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FRAM Overhaul: She underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program in the early 1960s, receiving updated anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including new torpedo systems and a helicopter deck.
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Cold War Deployments: The destroyer took part in many Cold War operations, including NATO exercises in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and patrolled during the tense periods of the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crises.
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Rescue Missions: USS Fred T. Berry was involved in rescue and assistance missions, including saving the crew of a sinking merchant ship in the Atlantic.
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Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on 15 September 1970 after 25 years of service and was subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
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Final Fate - Artificial Reef: In a unique end, the Fred T. Berry was sunk in 1972 off the coast of Key West, Florida, to serve as an artificial reef, where she remains a popular site for divers and marine life.
