VetFriends Members: 3,064,780

 
JOIN NOW

History of USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703)

USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1944. She saw extensive service in World War II, participating in the Pacific campaign, including operations off Okinawa and providing anti-aircraft and fire support. In the Korean War, Wallace L. Lind conducted bombardment and screening duties, supporting United Nations forces on the peninsula. The destroyer continued her service through the Cold War era, participating in various exercises and deployments, until she was decommissioned in 1973 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy.

Members

Load More

Gallery

More Unit Photos

ABOUT USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703)

  • Namesake: USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) was named after Lieutenant Commander Wallace L. Lind, a naval officer who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in World War II.
  • Class and Type: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, a class noted for its advanced anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capabilities during World War II.
  • World War II Service: Commissioned in March 1944, Wallace L. Lind served in the Pacific Theater, providing escort, screening, and fire support for amphibious operations, including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
  • Kamikaze Attack Survivor: On April 16, 1945, while off Okinawa, she was struck by a Japanese kamikaze plane. Despite significant damage and casualties, the crew managed to save the ship, earning praise for their bravery and seamanship.
  • Korean War Service: The destroyer saw extensive combat during the Korean War, participating in shore bombardments, carrier screening, and blockade operations along the Korean coast.
  • Cold War Assignments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Wallace L. Lind participated in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and anti-submarine warfare training, reflecting Cold War operational priorities.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, she was part of the U.S. naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis, helping enforce the blockade of Cuba and prevent Soviet missile deliveries.
  • Vietnam War Operations: Wallace L. Lind deployed to the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War, conducting gunfire support missions and carrier escort duties off the coast of Vietnam.
  • Notable Rescue Mission: In 1953, she rescued 52 Korean civilians from a small boat adrift in the Yellow Sea, showcasing the humanitarian side of her operations.
  • Decommissioning and Final Fate: The USS Wallace L. Lind was decommissioned in 1973 and transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she served as ROCS Lo Yang (DD-14) until 1999.

Navy Best Sellers

Go To Store