USS CHARLES H. ROAN (DD-853)

• Namesake Heroism: USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853) was named after Private First Class Charles Howard Roan, a Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Peleliu in World War II, where he sacrificed himself to save his fellow Marines. • Gearing-Class Destroyer: The ship was a Gearing-class destroyer, a class known for its durability, speed, and versatility, forming a backbone of the U.S. Navy’s destroyer force in the Cold War era. • Commissioning and Service: USS Charles H. Roan was commissioned on September 12, 1946, and served through pivotal periods including the Cold War and the Vietnam War. • Korean War Deployment: She served in Korean waters from 1953, providing escort and patrol duties during the tense final months of the Korean War. • Collision at Sea: In 1957, the destroyer collided with the USS Brownson (DD-868) during night exercises off the coast of New England, resulting in significant damage but no loss of life. • Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Charles H. Roan participated in the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, playing a role in the critical U.S. response to Soviet missile deployments in Cuba. • Vietnam War Operations: The ship saw active service off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and carrier escort missions for the U.S. Seventh Fleet during the conflict. • FRAM Overhaul: In the early 1960s, Charles H. Roan received a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul, upgrading her anti-submarine warfare capabilities with new sonar, ASROC, and helicopter facilities. • Turkish Service: After being decommissioned from the U.S. Navy in 1973, the ship was transferred to Turkey and served as TCG Mareşal Fevzi Çakmak (D-349) until 1995. • Decorations and Legacy: The USS Charles H. Roan earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and several campaign medals, and is remembered for her long and distinguished service spanning nearly five decades.