USS WILLIS A. LEE (DL-4)

The USS Willis A. Lee (DL-4) was a Mitscher-class destroyer leader commissioned by the United States Navy in 1954. Named after Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, the ship was designed as a fast, heavily armed vessel capable of leading destroyer squadrons and performing anti-submarine warfare during the early years of the Cold War. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous training exercises, NATO operations, and goodwill visits, helping to demonstrate American naval power and cooperation with allied fleets. The USS Willis A. Lee was decommissioned in 1969, marking the end of her 15 years of active service.