USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703)

• Namesake: USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) was named after Lieutenant Commander Wallace L. Lind, a naval officer who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in World War II. • Class and Type: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, a class noted for its advanced anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capabilities during World War II. • World War II Service: Commissioned in March 1944, Wallace L. Lind served in the Pacific Theater, providing escort, screening, and fire support for amphibious operations, including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. • Kamikaze Attack Survivor: On April 16, 1945, while off Okinawa, she was struck by a Japanese kamikaze plane. Despite significant damage and casualties, the crew managed to save the ship, earning praise for their bravery and seamanship. • Korean War Service: The destroyer saw extensive combat during the Korean War, participating in shore bombardments, carrier screening, and blockade operations along the Korean coast. • Cold War Assignments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Wallace L. Lind participated in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and anti-submarine warfare training, reflecting Cold War operational priorities. • Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, she was part of the U.S. naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis, helping enforce the blockade of Cuba and prevent Soviet missile deliveries. • Vietnam War Operations: Wallace L. Lind deployed to the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War, conducting gunfire support missions and carrier escort duties off the coast of Vietnam. • Notable Rescue Mission: In 1953, she rescued 52 Korean civilians from a small boat adrift in the Yellow Sea, showcasing the humanitarian side of her operations. • Decommissioning and Final Fate: The USS Wallace L. Lind was decommissioned in 1973 and transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she served as ROCS Lo Yang (DD-14) until 1999.