uss sproston dde577

• Namesake: USS Sproston (DDE-577) was named after John G. Sproston, a U.S. Navy officer who served with distinction during the Mexican–American War and was killed in action during the Civil War. • Class and Type: USS Sproston was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most iconic and numerous destroyer classes built during World War II. • World War II Service: Commissioned in May 1943, Sproston saw extensive service in the Pacific Theater, participating in operations such as the invasions of the Marshall and Mariana Islands. • Anti-Submarine Warfare: In 1950, Sproston was converted to a specialized anti-submarine warfare escort destroyer (DDE), reflecting the new Cold War naval priorities. • Atomic Testing Observer: Sproston participated in Operation Castle (1954), observing and monitoring atmospheric nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. • Korean War Service: The ship served off the coast of Korea, performing patrol and escort duties during the Korean War in the early 1950s. • Vietnam War Operations: Sproston saw combat duty during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. • Rescue Missions: The crew of Sproston participated in multiple search and rescue missions, including the rescue of downed pilots during the Vietnam War. • Reclassification: Originally designated as DD-577 (destroyer), the ship was reclassified as DDE-577 (escort destroyer) in 1950, before reverting back to DD-577 in 1962. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Sproston was decommissioned in 1968 after 25 years of active service, and she was sold for scrap in 1972, ending her distinguished naval career.