USS MCKEAN (DD 784)

• Korean War Service: USS McKean (DD-784) played a significant role during the Korean War, serving as a screening vessel for aircraft carriers and conducting naval gunfire support missions along the Korean coast. • Gearing-class Destroyer: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the most numerous and versatile classes built for the US Navy during and after World War II. • Namesake: The ship was named in honor of Commodore William Wister McKean, a notable officer who served in the US Navy during the American Civil War. • World War II Timing: Although commissioned in December 1945, McKean missed active World War II combat by just a few months, but she went on to have a long and active operational history. • FRAM Modernization: In the early 1960s, McKean underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare capabilities and extended her service life. • Cuban Missile Crisis: The destroyer participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine operations in 1962, helping to enforce the naval blockade around Cuba. • Vietnam War Deployments: USS McKean served multiple tours off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties for carriers, and search and rescue operations. • Navy's First "Fire Control" Ship: In 1950, McKean became the first US Navy ship equipped with a new experimental fire control system, enhancing her gunnery accuracy and effectiveness. • International Service: After her decommissioning from the US Navy in 1981, she was transferred to the Turkish Navy and served as TCG Iskenderun (D 343) until 1993. • Decorations: During her career, USS McKean earned numerous awards, including seven battle stars for Korean War service and five for Vietnam War service, reflecting her extensive combat record.