About this Unit
USS McCloy (DE-1038) was a Knox-class destroyer escort commissioned into the United States Navy in 1963. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Chief Boatswain’s Mate John McCloy, the ship served primarily in anti-submarine warfare roles during the Cold War era. McCloy participated in numerous NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and Atlantic patrols, contributing to joint operations and maritime security. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1988 and later transferred to the Egyptian Navy.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS McCloy (DE-1038) was named after Lieutenant (junior grade) John McCloy, a two-time Medal of Honor recipient for heroism during the Boxer Rebellion and the U.S. occupation of Veracruz.
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Class and Type: She was a Bronstein-class destroyer escort, designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) during the Cold War.
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Launch and Commission: McCloy was launched on October 9, 1962, by Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana and commissioned into service on October 21, 1963.
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Cuban Missile Crisis Legacy: Though commissioned after the crisis, McCloy was part of a new generation of ASW ships built in response to the increased Soviet submarine threat highlighted during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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First Rescue Mission: In 1966, McCloy rescued the crew of the sinking Greek freighter SS Ioannis in the North Atlantic, earning a Navy Unit Commendation.
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NATO Operations: McCloy participated in multiple NATO exercises, including "Ocean Safari" and "Northern Wedding," strengthening alliances and improving interoperability with European navies.
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Sonar Innovations: The ship was one of the first destroyer escorts fitted with the advanced SQS-26 sonar, making her a key testbed for anti-submarine tactics.
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Helicopter Operations: McCloy was modified to deploy and retrieve the "DASH" (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter), an early unmanned ASW helicopter system.
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Vietnam War Era: Although not deployed to Vietnam, McCloy served during the Vietnam War period and contributed to Atlantic fleet readiness and training.
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Decommissioning and Fate: After nearly 28 years of service, USS McCloy was decommissioned on December 14, 1990, and sold for scrap in 1992.
