About this Unit
USS **Higbee (DD-806)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1945, named after Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross. She served in the final months of World War II, participating in operations off Okinawa and Japan. During the Korean War, Higbee provided naval gunfire support and screening for carrier task forces. In the Vietnam War, she conducted shore bombardments and carrier escort duties, earning multiple battle stars before being decommissioned in 1979 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy.
Historical Facts
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Named After a Female Naval Officer: USS Higbee (DD-806) was the first US Navy warship named after a female member of the Naval service, Chief Nurse Lenah S. Higbee, one of the original members of the Navy Nurse Corps and its second Superintendent.
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Gearing-Class Destroyer: Higbee was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the most numerous and important classes of destroyers used by the US Navy during and after World War II.
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World War II Service: Commissioned in January 1945, USS Higbee joined the Pacific Fleet for the final months of World War II, participating in convoy escort and screening operations.
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Survived a Kamikaze Attack: On April 14, 1945, Higbee was damaged by a Japanese bomb off Okinawa. The after gun mount (manned entirely by women at the time as a publicity stunt) was hit, causing casualties but not sinking the ship.
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Korean War Action: Higbee served three tours in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces and screening aircraft carriers.
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Vietnam War Operations: Higbee participated in multiple deployments during the Vietnam War, conducting shore bombardments and supporting carrier operations.
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1972 Bombing Incident: On April 19, 1972, during the Vietnam War, Higbee was struck by a North Vietnamese MiG-17’s bomb—the first time a US Navy ship was bombed by enemy aircraft since World War II. The bomb destroyed her aft 5-inch gun mount.
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Rapid Repairs at Sea: After the 1972 bombing, the crew rapidly repaired the damage, and Higbee was back in action within days, demonstrating the resilience and skill of her sailors.
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Nicknamed "Leaping Lenah": USS Higbee earned the affectionate nickname "Leaping Lenah" in honor of her namesake and her crew’s fighting spirit.
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Decommissioning and Fate: Higbee was decommissioned in July 1979 after over 34 years of service and was later sold for scrap in 1986, having earned 8 battle stars for World War II, 7 for the Korean War, and 7 for the Vietnam War.
