USS Taussig (DD -746)

• Namesake: The USS Taussig (DD-746) was named after Rear Admiral Edward D. Taussig, a notable figure in the U.S. Navy who played a key role in the formal annexation of Wake Island in 1899. • Class and Type: USS Taussig was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, a class known for improved anti-aircraft capabilities and advanced armament over previous destroyer designs. • World War II Service: Commissioned on May 20, 1944, Taussig participated in several Pacific campaigns during World War II, including the Okinawa invasion and operations off the coast of Japan. • Kamikaze Attack Survivor: During the Okinawa campaign in 1945, USS Taussig was attacked by Japanese kamikaze aircraft but survived without suffering major damage, thanks to her crew's anti-aircraft gunnery. • Korean War Service: Taussig served actively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and participating in the blockade of North Korean ports. • Vietnam War Deployments: The destroyer was deployed multiple times during the Vietnam War, where she conducted naval gunfire support missions, search and rescue operations, and carrier escort duties. • Operation "Sea Dragon": In the Vietnam War, Taussig participated in "Operation Sea Dragon," targeting North Vietnamese logistic craft and coastal defenses, earning commendations for her performance. • Humanitarian Assistance: In 1945, following Japan's surrender, Taussig assisted in the evacuation of Allied prisoners of war from Japanese camps, providing medical aid and transportation. • Longevity and Modifications: Over her 30 years of service, Taussig underwent several modernizations, including upgrades to her radar, sonar, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, adapting to Cold War threats. • Final Fate: USS Taussig was decommissioned on January 2, 1970, and later transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she served as ROCS Lo Yang (DD-14/912) until her final decommissioning in 1999.