VetFriends Members: 3,064,780

 
JOIN NOW

History of USS MCKEAN (DD 784)

USS MCKEAN (DD-784) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served with distinction in the Pacific during the final months of World War II and participated in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening for carrier task forces. Throughout the Cold War, USS MCKEAN was active in various operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and support missions during the Vietnam War. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1981 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Iskenderun.

Members

Load More

Gallery

More Unit Photos

ABOUT USS MCKEAN (DD 784)

  • Korean War Service: USS McKean (DD-784) played a significant role during the Korean War, serving as a screening vessel for aircraft carriers and conducting naval gunfire support missions along the Korean coast.
  • Gearing-class Destroyer: She was a Gearing-class destroyer, one of the most numerous and versatile classes built for the US Navy during and after World War II.
  • Namesake: The ship was named in honor of Commodore William Wister McKean, a notable officer who served in the US Navy during the American Civil War.
  • World War II Timing: Although commissioned in December 1945, McKean missed active World War II combat by just a few months, but she went on to have a long and active operational history.
  • FRAM Modernization: In the early 1960s, McKean underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare capabilities and extended her service life.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: The destroyer participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine operations in 1962, helping to enforce the naval blockade around Cuba.
  • Vietnam War Deployments: USS McKean served multiple tours off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties for carriers, and search and rescue operations.
  • Navy's First "Fire Control" Ship: In 1950, McKean became the first US Navy ship equipped with a new experimental fire control system, enhancing her gunnery accuracy and effectiveness.
  • International Service: After her decommissioning from the US Navy in 1981, she was transferred to the Turkish Navy and served as TCG Iskenderun (D 343) until 1993.
  • Decorations: During her career, USS McKean earned numerous awards, including seven battle stars for Korean War service and five for Vietnam War service, reflecting her extensive combat record.

Navy Best Sellers

Go To Store