About this Unit
USS Hepburn (DE-1055) was a Knox-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1969. Named after Lieutenant Commander Arthur Japy Hepburn, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, undertaking anti-submarine warfare operations and participating in training exercises with allied navies during the Cold War. Hepburn saw multiple deployments to the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, supporting U.S. presence and operations in volatile regions. Decommissioned in 1991, she was later sunk as a target during training exercises in 2002.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS Hepburn (DE-1055) was named after Admiral Arthur Japy Hepburn, a distinguished officer who served in both World Wars and played a key role in shaping U.S. naval policy in the interwar years.
• Class and Commission: Hepburn was a Knox-class frigate (originally designated as a destroyer escort), commissioned on July 3, 1969, at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California.
• Vietnam War Service: USS Hepburn participated in operations off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard services for aircraft carriers.
• Pacific Deployments: Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Hepburn regularly deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, visiting ports in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and the Persian Gulf.
• Rescue Operations: In 1972, Hepburn was involved in rescuing Vietnamese refugees ("boat people") fleeing after the Vietnam War, highlighting her humanitarian as well as combat role.
• Cold War Role: The ship conducted anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, often tracking Soviet submarines and ships in the Pacific during high-tension periods of the Cold War.
• Modernizations: Hepburn underwent significant overhauls and modernization, including the installation of new sonar and weapons systems, to keep pace with evolving naval technology.
• Women at Sea: During the 1980s, Hepburn was among the first U.S. warships to integrate female sailors as part of the crew, reflecting changing policies in the Navy.
• Decommissioning: USS Hepburn was decommissioned on December 20, 1991, after more than 22 years of service, and was later sunk as a target during a live-fire training exercise in 2002.
• Legacy: The ship earned several unit commendations for her service, and her bell is preserved as a memorial, honoring the crew and the ship’s contributions to U.S. naval history.
