The US Navy's last gun destroyers, including the Fletcher-class, Forrest Sherman-class, Gearing-class, and Norfolk-class, had long and illustrious careers in the Cold War and missile age. The Fletcher-class was the largest class of US Navy destroyers ever built, and many were modernized after World War II. The Gearing-class was the classic US Navy wartime destroyer to have a second Cold War career, while the Forrest Sherman-class was the US Navys last all-gun destroyers. The Norfolk-class was originally built as a destroyer leader and maximized for ASW but only two were modernized and the other three retired early. Many of these ships survive as museum ships today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The finest American destroyers of World War II had surprisingly long careers into the Cold War and the missile age. The 175-strong Fletcher-class was the largest class of US Navy destroyers ever built, and most received some modernization after World War II. A handful were converted into ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) escorts and one was even converted into the US Navys first guided missile destroyer. Many Sumner-class destroyers were also kept in service, with the last decommissioned in 1973. The Gearing class was the classic US Navy wartime destroyer to have a second Cold War career, some being modified into picket ships and others into ASW escorts. Ninety-five were extensively modernized under the Fleet Modernization and Rehabilitation (FRAM) program, which allowed them to serve until 1980. The majority of these ships then saw service with foreign navies. However, the story of Cold War gun destroyers is not just one of World War II relics. Commissioned in the 1950s, the 18 ships of the Forrest Sherman class were the US Navys last all-gun destroyers, and were considered to be the pinnacle of US Navy gun-destroyer design. Later in their careers, most were modernized for ASW and antiair warfare. The virtually unknown Norfolk class was originally built as a destroyer leader and maximized for ASW but only two were modernized and the other three retired early. Many of these ships, such as USS Edson, Cassin Young, and Turner Joy, still survive as museum ships today. Using battlescene artwork, detailed illustrations, and photos, this book explores the careers, modernizations, and roles of all these ships, as well as their impact on naval history.

An Illustrated History of the Long Cold War Careers of the US Navy's Last Gun Destroyers

The finest American destroyers of World War II had surprisingly long careers into the Cold War and the missile age. The 175-strong Fletcher-class was the largest class of US Navy destroyers ever built, and most received some modernization after World War II. A handful were converted into ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) escorts and one was even converted into the US Navys first guided missile destroyer. Many Sumner-class destroyers were also kept in service, with the last decommissioned in 1973.

The Gearing class was the classic US Navy wartime destroyer to have a second Cold War career, some being modified into picket ships and others into ASW escorts. Ninety-five were extensively modernized under the Fleet Modernization and Rehabilitation (FRAM) program, which allowed them to serve until 1980. The majority of these ships then saw service with foreign navies.

However, the story of Cold War gun destroyers is not just one of World War II relics. Commissioned in the 1950s, the 18 ships of the Forrest Sherman class were the US Navys last all-gun destroyers, and were considered to be the pinnacle of US Navy gun-destroyer design. Later in their careers, most were modernized for ASW and antiair warfare. The virtually unknown Norfolk class was originally built as a destroyer leader and maximized for ASW but only two were modernized and the other three retired early. Many of these ships, such as USS Edson, Cassin Young, and Turner Joy, still survive as museum ships today.

Using Battlescene Artwork, Detailed Illustrations, and Photos, This Book Explores the Careers, Modernizations, and Roles of All These Ships, as Well as Their Impact on Naval History

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 185 x 247 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472855121