About this Unit
USS **Lloyd Thomas (DD-764)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1947. Named in honor of Ensign Lloyd Thomas, a Navy Cross recipient killed during the Battle of Midway, she served extensively during the Cold War era. The vessel participated in a variety of operations, including North Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, and provided escort duties for aircraft carriers. Lloyd Thomas was later transferred to the Republic of China Navy in 1972, where she served as **ROCS Dang Yang (DD-911)** until her decommissioning.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Hero: USS Lloyd Thomas (DD-764) was named after Ensign Lloyd Thomas, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the Battle of Midway, where he stayed at his post on USS Hammann (DD-412) as it sank.
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Gearing-class Destroyer: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the most numerous and advanced classes of destroyers built for the US Navy during World War II.
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Launched Post-WWII: Although construction began during World War II, she was not launched until March 1946 and commissioned in March 1947, making her a post-war addition to the fleet.
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Korean War Service: USS Lloyd Thomas saw action during the Korean War, conducting shore bombardment, screening carriers, and participating in blockade and patrol operations.
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Cold War Deployments: The ship participated in numerous Cold War operations, including NATO exercises in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, reflecting the tense geopolitics of the era.
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FRAM I Modernization: In the early 1960s, Lloyd Thomas underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM I) program to extend her service life and upgrade her anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: She participated in the naval quarantine (“blockade”) of Cuba during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, helping enforce US demands for Soviet missile withdrawal.
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Vietnam War Support: Lloyd Thomas supported US operations in the Vietnam War, including gunfire support missions, plane guard duties for aircraft carriers, and search and rescue operations.
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Transfer to Taiwan: In 1972, after her US Navy service ended, USS Lloyd Thomas was transferred to the Republic of China Navy (Taiwan), where she served as ROCS Dang Yang (DD-911).
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Final Fate: After decades of service in both the US and Taiwanese navies, the ship was decommissioned by Taiwan in 1999 and subsequently scrapped, ending a career that spanned over 50 years.
