USS Bearss (DD-654)

USS "Bearss" (DD-654) was a "Fletcher"-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Brigadier General Hiram I. Bearss (1875–1938), USMC, who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War.

"Bearss" was launched 25 July 1943 by Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Ala., sponsored by Mrs. Louise Bearss, widow of General Bearss; and commissioned 12 April 1944, Commander J. A. Webster in command.

History

"Bearss" reported to the Pacific Fleet and operated in Hawaiian waters during July 1944. On 9 August 1944 she arrived at Adak, Alaska, and served with Task Force 92 (TF 92) and TF 94 in anti-shipping sweeps and bombardments in the Kuril Islands, as well as patrolling in the Sea of Okhotsk until the end of the war. She took part in the bombardments of Matsuwa (21 November 1944, 16 March, and 11–12 June 1945), Suribachi Wan (5 January and 19 May 1945); Kurabu Wan (18 February 1945); and the anti-shipping sweeps (19 May, 25 June, 17–19, 22 July, and 11 August 1945). "Bearss" arrived at Ominato, Honshū, 8 September 1945 and patrolled along the southern coast of Hokkaidō until returning to the United States. She arrived at Charleston, S.C., 22 December 1945; went into commission in reserve 12 July 1946; and out of commission in reserve 31 January 1947.

"Bearss" was recommissioned 7 September 1951 and joined Destroyer Division 322 (DesDiv 322), Destroyer Squadron 32 (DesRon 32), Atlantic Fleet. She served along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean on normal peacetime operations. She made two Mediterranean cruises and one Far Eastern cruise (April–October 1954) which took her around the world.

During August and September, 1958, the "Bearss" was part of "Navy Task Force 88" (TF-88), during Operation Argus, which was involved in conducting nuclear tests in the very high atmosphere.

"Bearss" was decommissioned 1963. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 1 December 1974. The ship was sold 14 April 1976 and broken up for scrap.

"Bearss" received one battle star for her World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4/bearss-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4/bearss-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Bearss"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/654.htm navsource.org: USS "Bearss"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd654txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Bearss"]