USS Rooks DD804

• Namesake: USS Rooks (DD-804) was named in honor of Captain Albert Harold Rooks, a Medal of Honor recipient who commanded the USS Houston (CA-30) and was killed in action during the Battle of Sunda Strait in 1942. • Class and Type: Rooks was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most successful and iconic destroyer classes of World War II. • Commissioning: The ship was launched on July 6, 1944, at the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and commissioned on September 2, 1944. • Okinawa Campaign: USS Rooks took part in the invasion of Okinawa, providing anti-aircraft fire and shore bombardment, and survived numerous kamikaze attacks. • Kamikaze Encounter: On April 27, 1945, Rooks was struck by a kamikaze plane, resulting in significant damage and casualties, but her crew managed to save the ship. • Post-War Service: After World War II, Rooks served in the Pacific during the occupation of Japan and later participated in operations during the Korean War. • Korean War: The destroyer provided gunfire support for United Nations troops and participated in blockades and patrols off the Korean coast. • Decommissioning and Transfer: USS Rooks was decommissioned from the US Navy in 1962 and was later transferred to Chile where she served as Almirante Cochrane (D-15). • Awards: For her service, Rooks received five battle stars for World War II action and four for service in the Korean War. • Legacy: The story of her namesake, Captain Rooks, and the ship’s resilience during kamikaze attacks are often cited as examples of valor and determination in US naval history.