About this Unit
USS Hartley (DE-1029) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Named after Lieutenant Commander David H. Hartley, the ship served primarily in anti-submarine warfare roles during the Cold War, operating extensively in the Atlantic and Caribbean. Hartley participated in numerous NATO exercises and provided escort services for American and allied vessels. In 1972, she was transferred to the Colombian Navy and renamed ARC Boyacá (DE-16), where she continued to serve for several more years.
Historical Facts
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USS Hartley (DE-1029) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957, specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era.
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Named after Lieutenant Commander Ralph Hartley, who was killed during the Battle of Savo Island in World War II, honoring his bravery and sacrifice.
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Homeported in Key West, Florida, Hartley was assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and played a significant role in the defense of the Caribbean and Atlantic approaches.
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Participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), conducting patrols and surveillance in the Caribbean to enforce the naval quarantine against Soviet shipments.
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Underwent FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) upgrades in 1963, enhancing her sonar, radar, and anti-submarine weapons to keep pace with evolving Cold War threats.
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Engaged in NATO operations and exercises, including “Operation Unitas,” fostering interoperability with allied navies and strengthening Western Hemisphere defense ties.
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Played a role in scientific research by hosting oceanographers and participating in oceanographic surveys, contributing to the understanding of underwater acoustics and submarine detection.
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Transferred to Colombia in 1972 and renamed ARC Boyacá (DE-16), continuing her service for nearly two more decades in the Colombian Navy.
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Involved in a collision in 1965 with the USS Aeolus (ARC-3) cable ship in heavy fog off the coast of New England, resulting in damage but no loss of life.
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Decommissioned and scrapped in 1992 after a long career, marking the end of service for a vessel that bridged the technological and tactical transitions of the Cold War naval era.
