About this Unit
USS Vesole (DD-878) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in April 1945 near the end of World War II. Named in honor of Ensign Kay K. Vesole, who was killed in action during World War II, the ship served in various roles throughout her career, including anti-submarine warfare and escort duties. Vesole participated in significant Cold War operations, including deployments during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as supporting NATO exercises in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. After nearly three decades of service, USS Vesole was decommissioned in 1976 and later sold for scrap.
Historical Facts
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Fletcher-class Destroyer: USS Vesole (DD-878) was a member of the prolific Fletcher-class, the largest class of destroyers built by the U.S. Navy during World War II.
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Name Honors: The ship was named after Ensign Kay Kopl Vesole, a Navy officer who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.
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Commissioning: USS Vesole was commissioned on April 23, 1945, too late to see combat in World War II but was extensively used during the Cold War.
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Radar Picket Ship Conversion: In the early 1950s, Vesole was converted to a radar picket destroyer (DDR-878), equipped with advanced electronics to provide early warning of air attacks.
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Korean War Service: Though missing World War II, Vesole was active during the Korean War, participating in patrols and exercises in support of United Nations forces.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Vesole was deployed as part of the U.S. naval blockade ("quarantine") of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, helping to enforce U.S. policy during this tense standoff.
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Mediterranean Deployments: Throughout her career, Vesole spent significant time with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, supporting NATO and U.S. interests during the Cold War.
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Vietnam War Service: Vesole provided gunfire support and participated in carrier escort duties off the coast of Vietnam, contributing to combat operations during the conflict.
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Decommissioning: After over 25 years of service, USS Vesole was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in October 1976.
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Final Fate: The ship was sold for scrap in 1977, ending her long and distinguished career, but her legacy is commemorated by veterans' reunions and naval history organizations.
