USS Hale (DD-642)

USS Hale (DD-642), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Maine Senator Eugene Hale (1836–1918).

1951 – 1960

With the outbreak of the Korean War and the increase of tension throughout the world, Hale was taken out of reserve, commissioning at Long Beach 24 March 1951. After a shakedown cruise she sailed via the Panama Canal to her new home port, Newport, R.I., arriving 11 July 1951. After refresher training she departed 22 April 1952 to serve with the 6th Fleet in Mediterranean waters in support of American diplomacy in this vital and troubled region. After stopping at 16 ports in the course of her operations, Hale returned to Newport 23 October 1952. For the next 1½ years the destroyer performed a variety of tasks: antisubmarine training and development exercises off the Atlantic coast, plane guard duty or carrier operations in the Gulf of Mexico, and a training cruise for midshipmen of the Naval Academy.

Related Topics:
Korean War - Long Beach - 24 March - 1951 - Newport, R.I. - 11 July - 22 April - 1952 - 6th Fleet - Mediterranean - 23 October - Atlantic - Gulf of Mexico - Midshipmen - Naval Academy

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After a modernization overhaul at Philadelphia Navy Yard, September 1953 to January 1954, Hale departed 1 June 1954 for a world cruise. Transiting the Panama Canal and entering the Pacific she proceeded to the Far East. She formed a part of America's ever-present naval strength lending stability to the area. Transiting the Suez Canal 17 November 1954, she visited many ports in 6th Fleet waters before returning to Newport 18 December 1954.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia Navy Yard - 1953 - 1954 - 1 June - Suez Canal - 17 November - 18 December

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Hale continued her vital pattern of readiness exercises including serving as the Destroyer Force Gunnery School Ship at Newport, until 6 November 1956. Getting underway for the Mediterranean once more, she rendezvoused with 6th Fleet ships and stood by in the eastern Mediterranean during the Suez crisis, helping to avert a larger conflict and protecting American interests. She returned to Newport 20 February 1957.

Related Topics:
6 November - 1956 - Suez crisis - 20 February - 1957

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In June Hale participated in one of the greatest international naval reviews in history, joining some 60 U.S. ships and vessels of 17 other nations in the 350th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. A second Midshipman cruise and NATO exercises in the North Atlantic closed out 1957. She began her second world cruise 23 July 1958, sailing to Naples, through the Suez Canal to India and Japan, and back to San Diego after operations with the 7th Fleet off Taiwan. She returned to Newport port via the Panama Canal 24 November 1958.

Related Topics:
Jamestown - NATO - 23 July - 1958 - Naples - India - Japan - Taiwan - 24 November

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In the Mediterranean from August 1959 – February 1960 Hale continued a peace-keeping and goodwill role. She returned to Newport 26 February 1959. After a period of important experimental work in antisubmarine warfare with nuclear submarines, Hale decommissioned at Boston 30 July 1960.

Related Topics:
1959 - 1960 - 26 February - Antisubmarine warfare - Submarine - 30 July

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Hale received six battle stars for World War II service.

Related Topics:
Battle star - World War II

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