About this Unit
USS **McKee** (DD-575) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in March 1943 during World War II. She served extensively in the Pacific Theater, providing fire support for amphibious landings, escorting fast carrier task forces, and participating in key operations such as the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and the Philippines. The McKee earned eight battle stars for her wartime service, reflecting her active and distinguished combat record. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1972.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS McKee (AS-41) was named after Rear Admiral Hugh W. McKee, a U.S. Navy officer who served heroically during the Korean Expedition of 1871.
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Ship Class: USS McKee was a Emory S. Land-class submarine tender, designed to support and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 16 August 1981 at Naval Station San Diego, California, with Captain Robert S. Cole as her first commanding officer.
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Advanced Capabilities: USS McKee was equipped with advanced repair shops, electronics repair facilities, weapons storage, and medical services, making her a "floating base" for submarines.
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First Female Crew: In 1993, USS McKee became one of the first U.S. Navy ships to have women assigned as part of the crew, marking an important step in Navy integration.
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Cold War Service: Throughout the 1980s, McKee played a vital support role for Pacific Fleet submarines during the Cold War, providing critical maintenance and logistics.
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Notable Deployments: She participated in several major exercises, including RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), supporting multinational naval operations.
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Desert Storm Support: During Operation Desert Storm, McKee provided essential support to submarines deployed in the Pacific, ensuring their readiness for potential combat operations.
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Decommissioning: USS McKee was decommissioned on 1 October 1999 after 18 years of distinguished service and was later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
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Legacy: USS McKee's motto was "Prepared to Serve," reflecting her critical support role. Her service helped set the standard for submarine tenders in the modern U.S. Navy.
