USS Shields (DD-596)

• Namesake: USS Shields (DD-596) was named in honor of Marine Private James Shields, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I. • Class and Type: Shields was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most successful and numerous destroyer classes used by the U.S. Navy during World War II. • Launch and Commission: The ship was launched on 20 May 1944 by Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company in Seattle, Washington, and commissioned on 8 September 1944. • World War II Service: USS Shields participated in the Pacific Theater, providing escort for carriers, performing antisubmarine patrols, and supporting amphibious landings, notably during the invasion of Okinawa. • Kamikaze Attack: On 12 April 1945, while on radar picket duty off Okinawa, Shields was attacked by Japanese kamikaze aircraft but managed to evade serious damage, showcasing the crew's skill and resilience. • Post-War Decommissioning: After the end of World War II, Shields was decommissioned and placed in reserve on 5 July 1946. • Korean War Recommissioning: With the outbreak of the Korean War, USS Shields was recommissioned on 15 February 1951, serving mostly in the Pacific and with the 7th Fleet in East Asia. • Cold War Operations: Throughout the 1950s, the destroyer participated in training exercises, patrols, and goodwill visits, helping to project American naval power during the early Cold War era. • International Service: In 1960, USS Shields was transferred to the Brazilian Navy and renamed Pará (D27), where she served until 1972. • Awarded Honors: USS Shields earned two battle stars for her service during World War II, a testament to the ship's involvement in significant and dangerous combat operations.