About this Unit
USS Hollister (DD-788) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Named after Lieutenant Commander Stephen Decatur Hollister, she served with distinction during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening carrier task forces. The ship also saw action during the Vietnam War, where she conducted patrols and naval bombardments along the coast. USS Hollister remained active throughout the Cold War era, participating in various exercises and operations until her decommissioning in 1979.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Hollister (DD-788) was named after three brothers—Lieutenant Commander Stephen Decatur Hollister, Ensign John Jay Hollister, and Lieutenant (junior grade) William Howard Hollister—who all lost their lives in World War II.
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Class and Construction: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, launched on 19 March 1946 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and commissioned on 27 March 1946.
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Korean War Service: Hollister served with distinction during the Korean War, performing screening and bombardment missions and earning four battle stars.
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FRAM I Modernization: In 1962, USS Hollister received the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM I) upgrade, which extended her service life and equipped her to better combat submarines during the Cold War.
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Vietnam War Operations: The ship participated in multiple Vietnam War deployments, serving as a plane guard for aircraft carriers and providing naval gunfire support to ground troops.
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Rescue Operations: In 1967, Hollister rescued the crew of a burning merchant ship, the SS Colby Victory, demonstrating her crew's readiness for humanitarian missions.
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Joint Operations: USS Hollister took part in joint exercises with allied navies, including SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) operations, enhancing cooperation and readiness in the Pacific.
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Notable Commanders: Among her commanding officers was Commander Elmo Zumwalt, who later became Chief of Naval Operations and a prominent reformer in the US Navy.
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Decommissioning & Transfer: After her decommissioning in July 1979, Hollister was transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, where she served as ROKS Jeong Buk (DD-916).
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Legacy: Over her long career, USS Hollister earned eight battle stars—four for Korean War service and four for Vietnam—leaving a legacy of valiant service across two major conflicts.
