About this Unit
USS SHELTON (DD-790) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1946. Named in honor of Ensign James A. Shelton, she served actively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and participating in patrol and blockade operations. Throughout the Cold War, the USS SHELTON conducted numerous deployments in the Pacific, including missions during the Vietnam War where she supported operations with shore bombardments and rescue missions. Decommissioned in 1973, the ship was later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, where she continued service as ROKS Kang Won (DD-922).
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Shelton (DD-790) was named after Ensign James A. Shelton, a naval aviator who was killed during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.
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Gearing-class Destroyer: Shelton was a Gearing-class destroyer, launched on 8 April 1946 and commissioned on 21 June 1946, serving as part of the post-World War II U.S. Navy expansion.
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Korean War Service: Shelton participated in the Korean War, conducting shore bombardments, screening aircraft carriers, and performing patrol duties along the Korean coast.
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Vietnam War Deployments: The ship saw extensive action during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, search and rescue, and plane guard services for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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FRAM Modernization: During the early 1960s, Shelton underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, receiving significant upgrades to her weaponry and anti-submarine capabilities.
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Rescue Operations: Shelton was involved in rescuing downed American pilots off the coast of Vietnam, a vital and dangerous mission during the conflict.
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International Exercises: The destroyer participated in various joint exercises with allied navies, including SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) operations and voyage exercises with Japanese and Philippine navies.
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Decommissioning and Foreign Service: USS Shelton was decommissioned from U.S. service in 1973 and transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she served as ROCS Lao Yang (DD-20).
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Decorations: The ship earned five battle stars for her service during the Korean War and an additional six battle stars during the Vietnam War.
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Legacy and Fate: After a long and distinguished career, ROCS Lao Yang was decommissioned and later scrapped, but USS Shelton’s legacy endures through her battle honors and the stories of her crews.
