USS Perry (DD-844)

• Commissioning and Namesake: USS Perry (DD-844) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned on July 17, 1945. She was named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, famous for his victory at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. • Just Missed WWII Action: Although commissioned during World War II, the USS Perry was completed too late to see combat service in the conflict. • Korean War Service: Perry served with distinction during the Korean War, providing gunfire support, screening carriers, and patrolling the Korean coast. • Cold War Operations: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Perry participated in numerous NATO and fleet exercises, honing her anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities. • Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Perry played a role in the U.S. Navy’s blockade and surveillance operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. • Vietnam War Deployments: The destroyer made several deployments to the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War, supporting carrier operations and conducting search and rescue missions. • FRAM I Modernization: In the early 1960s, Perry underwent a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM I) upgrade, receiving new anti-submarine weapons, sensors, and a helicopter deck. • Goodwill Visits: USS Perry made numerous goodwill port visits to allied countries, including stops in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Far East, strengthening diplomatic ties. • Decommissioning: Perry was decommissioned from U.S. Navy service on July 1, 1970, after nearly 25 years of service. • Turkish Navy Service: After her decommissioning, Perry was transferred to the Turkish Navy and served as TCG Gayret (D-352), continuing her career into the late 20th century. She is now preserved as a museum ship in Izmit, Turkey.