USS Lester (DE-1022) Cortron Eight, Port of Naples, Italy

USS Lester (DE-1022) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned into the United States Navy in 1957. As part of Escort Squadron Eight (Cortron Eight), she was frequently deployed to the Mediterranean, where she operated out of the Port of Naples, Italy, during the height of the Cold War. While stationed in Naples, USS Lester participated in numerous NATO exercises, conducted anti-submarine warfare patrols, and provided crucial support to allied naval forces in the region. Her service contributed to strengthening NATO maritime security and enhancing cooperation between U.S. and European naval units until her decommissioning in 1973.