- USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884)
USS "Floyd B. Parks" (DD-884), named for Major
Floyd B. Parks USMC (1911–1942), was a "Gearing"-classdestroyer laid down by theConsolidated Steel Corporation atOrange, Texas on30 October 1944 , launched on31 March 1945 by Mrs. Floyd B. Parks, widow of Major Parks and commissioned on31 July 1945 ."Floyd B. Parks" arrived at San Diego, her home port, 16 November 1945, and sailed 20 November for her first tour of duty in the Far East, patrolling the coast of
China and operating in theMarianas Islands until her return to San Diego 11 February 1947. In the period prior to the outbreak of war in Korea, "Floyd B. Parks" twice more deployed to the Far East for duty with theUS 7th Fleet , returning from her second such cruise 13 June 1950, just before the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel. At once she prepared to return to duty as a standby atPearl Harbor , available should war spread, returning to San Diego 20 August."Floyd B. Parks" sailed from San Diego 19 February 1951 to join in United Nations operations in Korea. On 16 March she joined the fast carrier task force, screening them during air operations off the east coast as well as spending a total of 60 days in Wonsan Harbor on blockade and bombardment duty. She returned to San Diego 10 October 1951, and after west coast operations, sailed for duty in the Far East again 31 May 1952. Along with duty similar to that of her first war cruise, she patrolled in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
During her 1955 Far Eastern cruise, "Floyd B. Parks" took part in evacuation of the Tachen Islands, and while in the Orient once more 11 March 1956, collided with USS|Columbus|CA-74, losing 2 men and a convert|40|ft|m|0|sing=on section of her bow. Skillful work by her crew saved their ship, and brought her safely into Subic Bay for temporary repairs. Upon her return to Long Beach Naval Shipyard 14 May 1956, "Floyd B. Parks"' damaged bow was replaced with that of the uncompleted destroyer USS|Lansdale|DD-766 and after completion of repairs and installation of new equipment "Floyd B. Parks" returned to her west coast-Far East rotation through 1962.
"Floyd B. Parks" operated with the Seventh Fleet in support of
United Nations Forces during theKorean War , and served as plane guard for carriers onYankee Station in theTonkin Gulf , participated inSea Dragon operations, patrolled on search and rescue duties and carried outNaval Gunfire Support missions during the conflict inVietnam . "USS Floyd B. Parks" was decommissioned 2 July, 1973, stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on2 July 1983 and sold for scrap on29 April 1984 .
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.