USS McGowan (DD-678)

• Namesake: USS McGowan (DD-678) was named after Rear Admiral Samuel McGowan, who served as Paymaster General of the U.S. Navy from 1914 to 1921. • Class and Type: She was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most prolific and successful destroyer classes of World War II. • Commissioning: USS McGowan was commissioned on 20 December 1943, serving actively in the Pacific theater during World War II. • Normandy Invasion: Following World War II, McGowan also participated in the Normandy invasion, providing fire support and screening Allied vessels during the D-Day landings in June 1944. • Battle of Leyte Gulf: McGowan took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of World War II, and played a vital role in anti-aircraft screening and anti-submarine operations. • Kamikaze Defense: The ship was involved in defending fleet units against Japanese kamikaze attacks, particularly during the Okinawa campaign in 1945. • Korean War Service: After World War II, McGowan was recommissioned for the Korean War, participating in shore bombardments, patrols, and escort duties between 1951 and 1953. • Decorations: Over her service, USS McGowan earned 6 battle stars for World War II and 4 battle stars for Korean War service. • Decommissioning: She was finally decommissioned on 2 October 1963 after nearly 20 years of combined service, and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1972. • Fate: In 1974, USS McGowan was transferred to Spain, serving as SPS Jorge Juan (D-25) until she was scrapped in 1988.