About this Unit
USS William R. Rush (DD-714) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned in 1945, just as World War II was ending. Named after Rear Admiral William R. Rush, the ship served prominently during the Cold War era, participating in operations and exercises with both the Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets. She saw action during the Korean War, providing gunfire support and performing escort duties. The destroyer continued her service through the Vietnam War, before being decommissioned in 1978 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS William R. Rush (DD-714) was named after Rear Admiral William R. Rush, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served with valor during the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War.
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Gearing-class Destroyer: The ship was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the most numerous and effective destroyer classes built for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
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Commissioning: The destroyer was commissioned on 21 September 1945, just after the end of World War II, and thus never saw combat during that conflict.
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Korean War Service: USS William R. Rush participated in the Korean War, conducting patrols, shore bombardments, and providing support to United Nations forces.
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FRAM Modernization: In the early 1960s, the ship underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and extended her service life.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: The destroyer played a vital role in the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), participating in the naval quarantine (blockade) of Cuba.
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Space Program Support: William R. Rush served as a recovery ship for Project Gemini space missions, assisting in the recovery of astronauts and their capsules.
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Mediterranean Deployments: The ship made numerous Mediterranean deployments with the U.S. 6th Fleet, supporting NATO operations and showing the flag during the Cold War.
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Transfer to South Korea: After her long service with the U.S. Navy, she was decommissioned in July 1978 and transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, where she served as ROKS Kang Won (DD-922).
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Longevity: USS William R. Rush served both the U.S. and South Korea for a combined total of over 40 years, demonstrating the robustness and adaptability of the Gearing-class design.
