About this Unit
USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Named after Medal of Honor recipient First Lieutenant John William Thomason, the ship served with distinction during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. The destroyer participated in several important operations, earning numerous battle stars for her service. Decommissioned in 1970, USS John W. Thomason was later transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Nan Yang (DD-17).
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) was named after First Lieutenant John William Thomason, Jr., a U.S. Marine Corps officer, Navy Cross recipient, distinguished author, and illustrator.
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Class and Construction: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, laid down on April 3, 1944, at Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, and launched on September 30, 1944.
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World War II Service: Although commissioned in October 1945, too late for active WWII combat, she participated in post-war occupation duties in the Far East.
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Korean War Action: USS John W. Thomason served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support, screening carrier task forces, and participating in the famous Inchon landing in 1950.
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Presidential Escort: She served as an escort for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s ship during his visit to Korea in December 1952.
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Vietnam War Duties: The destroyer was active in the Vietnam War, conducting patrols, gunfire support missions, and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers in the Tonkin Gulf.
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Rescue Operations: She rescued downed aviators and provided medical assistance to South Vietnamese and U.S. personnel during her Vietnam deployments.
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Modernization: In 1961, USS John W. Thomason underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare capabilities with new sonar, weapons, and electronics.
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Foreign Service: After U.S. decommissioning in 1970, she was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy and served as ROCS Nan Yang (DD-17), later DD-917, until her final decommissioning in 1999.
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Battle Stars: The ship earned six battle stars for Korean War service and five for Vietnam, recognizing her dedicated and effective combat operations over her decades-long career.
