USS Haverfield (DER-393)

• Namesake: USS Haverfield (DER-393) was named in honor of Ensign James Wallace Haverfield, a U.S. Navy officer killed in action during the Battle of Midway in 1942. • Class: She was an Edsall-class destroyer escort, a group of ships built primarily for anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties during World War II. • World War II Service: Commissioned in 1943, USS Haverfield operated in the Atlantic, escorting convoys between the United States, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, protecting them from German U-boat attacks. • Post-War Decommissioning: After World War II, Haverfield was decommissioned in 1946 and placed in reserve, reflecting the post-war drawdown of naval forces. • Radar Picket Ship Conversion: In the 1950s, she was converted into a radar picket ship (DER), equipped with advanced radar systems to serve as part of the Distant Early Warning Line against potential Soviet air attacks during the Cold War. • Cuban Missile Crisis: Haverfield played a role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, serving on the blockade line and helping to enforce the quarantine of Cuba. • Vietnam War Service: The ship was deployed to the Western Pacific and participated in Operation Market Time, patrolling the coast of Vietnam to intercept North Vietnamese supply vessels. • Rescue Operations: While off the coast of Vietnam, USS Haverfield was involved in the rescue of South Vietnamese refugees fleeing the conflict, showcasing her humanitarian role. • Decommissioning and Fate: She was decommissioned for the final time in 1969 and eventually scrapped, marking the end of her long and varied career. • Battle Honors: Haverfield received two battle stars for her service during World War II and additional awards for her Vietnam War operations, reflecting her distinguished history.