USS John W Thomason (DD-760)

• Namesake: USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) was named after First Lieutenant John William Thomason, Jr., a U.S. Marine Corps officer, Navy Cross recipient, distinguished author, and illustrator. • Class and Construction: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, laid down on April 3, 1944, at Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, and launched on September 30, 1944. • World War II Service: Although commissioned in October 1945, too late for active WWII combat, she participated in post-war occupation duties in the Far East. • Korean War Action: USS John W. Thomason served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support, screening carrier task forces, and participating in the famous Inchon landing in 1950. • Presidential Escort: She served as an escort for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s ship during his visit to Korea in December 1952. • Vietnam War Duties: The destroyer was active in the Vietnam War, conducting patrols, gunfire support missions, and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers in the Tonkin Gulf. • Rescue Operations: She rescued downed aviators and provided medical assistance to South Vietnamese and U.S. personnel during her Vietnam deployments. • Modernization: In 1961, USS John W. Thomason underwent the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which upgraded her anti-submarine warfare capabilities with new sonar, weapons, and electronics. • Foreign Service: After U.S. decommissioning in 1970, she was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy and served as ROCS Nan Yang (DD-17), later DD-917, until her final decommissioning in 1999. • Battle Stars: The ship earned six battle stars for Korean War service and five for Vietnam, recognizing her dedicated and effective combat operations over her decades-long career.