USS Halsey Powell DD 686

• Namesake: USS Halsey Powell (DD-686) was named after Admiral William Halsey Powell, a distinguished officer who served in the United States Navy during World War I and II. • Class and Type: She was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most famous and widely used destroyer classes in the US Navy during World War II. • Construction and Launch: The ship was laid down on 23 April 1943 at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, launched on 30 September 1943, and commissioned on 25 November 1943. • World War II Service: USS Halsey Powell participated in several key operations during WWII, including the Marianas, Iwo Jima, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa campaigns, providing screening and fire support. • Kamikaze Attack: On 20 March 1945, near Okinawa, the ship was struck by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft, causing significant damage and casualties—12 killed and 23 wounded—but she survived and was repaired. • Presidential Escort: In 1944, Halsey Powell served as an escort for the battleship USS New Mexico, which carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his Pacific tour. • Korean War Service: After World War II, she was recommissioned for the Korean War, serving in bombardment, escort, and patrol roles from 1951 to 1953. • Hollywood Appearance: The destroyer appeared in the 1954 film The Caine Mutiny, starring Humphrey Bogart, as one of the ships in the background during harbor scenes. • Transfer to South Korea: In 1968, Halsey Powell was transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy and served as ROKS Seoul (DD-912) until 1982. • Awards: The ship received 13 battle stars for her World War II service and 5 for her Korean War service, recognizing her distinguished combat record.