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The '''USS Bearss''' (DD-654) was laid down on 14 July 1942 at Chickasaw, [[Alabama]], by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 25 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Louise Bearss, widow of Brigadier General Bearss; and commissioned at Mobile, Ala., on 12 April 1944, Comdr. John A. Webster in command.

The '''USS Bearss''' (DD-654) was laid down on 14 July 1942 at Chickasaw, [[Alabama]], by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 25 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Louise Bearss, widow of Brigadier General Bearss; and commissioned at Mobile, Ala., on 12 April 1944, Comdr. John A. Webster in command.

After fitting out at Mobile and at New Orleans, Bearss sailed for Bermuda on 30 April, arriving there on 5 May. The destroyer conducted shakedown exercises--including gunnery, antiaircraft, and antisubmarine warfare (ASW) drills--through the end of the month. She sailed for Charleston, S.C., on 2 June and entered the navy yard on the 4th for two weeks of post-shakedown availability. Following those repairs, the destroyer steamed to Norfolk, Va., where she joined Task Unit (TU) 29.6.3 in preparation to sailing for the Pacific.

After fitting out at Mobile and at New Orleans, Bearss sailed for Bermuda on 30 April, arriving there on 5 May. The destroyer conducted shakedown exercises—including gunnery, antiaircraft, and antisubmarine warfare (ASW) drills—through the end of the month. She sailed for Charleston, S.C., on 2 June and entered the navy yard on the 4th for two weeks of post-shakedown availability. Following those repairs, the destroyer steamed to Norfolk, Va., where she joined Task Unit (TU) 29.6.3 in preparation to sailing for the Pacific.

On 21 June, Bearss got underway for the [[Panama Canal]] in company with Baxter (APA-94). The destroyer transited the canal on 26 and 27 June and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 11 July. There, she joined other units of Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 57 for three weeks of gunnery and antiaircraft training. On 4 August, Bearss and the four other destroyers in DesRon 57 departed Pearl Harbor for Adak, Alaska, where they joined the North Pacific Force on the 9th.

On 21 June, Bearss got underway for the [[Panama Canal]] in company with Baxter (APA-94). The destroyer transited the canal on 26 and 27 June and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 11 July. There, she joined other units of Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 57 for three weeks of gunnery and antiaircraft training. On 4 August, Bearss and the four other destroyers in DesRon 57 departed Pearl Harbor for Adak, Alaska, where they joined the North Pacific Force on the 9th.

When the outbreak of the Korean War created a need for more active ships in the Fleet, Bearss was recommissioned at the Charleston Naval Shipyard on 12 September 1951. After fitting out, the destroyer put to sea on 19 November for three months of shakedown training with the Fleet Training Group at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On 1 March 1952, she sailed north, visiting [[New York City]] and Halifax, Nova Scotia, and conducting type training in the Virginia capes area, through the end of summer. On 9 September, she returned to the Charleston Naval Shipyard for a general yard overhaul, remaining there through the end of the year.

When the outbreak of the Korean War created a need for more active ships in the Fleet, Bearss was recommissioned at the Charleston Naval Shipyard on 12 September 1951. After fitting out, the destroyer put to sea on 19 November for three months of shakedown training with the Fleet Training Group at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On 1 March 1952, she sailed north, visiting [[New York City]] and Halifax, Nova Scotia, and conducting type training in the Virginia capes area, through the end of summer. On 9 September, she returned to the Charleston Naval Shipyard for a general yard overhaul, remaining there through the end of the year.

Assigned to DesRon 32 in Norfolk, Va., she got underway on 20 January 1953 for six weeks of refresher training out of Guantanamo Bay. Returning to Norfolk on 7 March, Bearss spent the next six months preparing for her first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea with the 6th Fleet. On 16 September, she departed Norfolk bound for Britain, arriving at Plymouth on the 30th. From there, the destroyer sailed south and, after a brief stop at Algiers, cruised in the Mediterranean. Over the next six weeks, she visited Athens, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Suda Bay, Crete; and Naples, Italy. During her return voyage home, Bearss stopped at Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, before arriving in Norfolk on 1 December. She spent the next three months operating out of Norfolk engaged in training evolutions--antisubmarine warfare exercises, independent ship exercises, and refresher training.

Assigned to DesRon 32 in Norfolk, Va., she got underway on 20 January 1953 for six weeks of refresher training out of Guantanamo Bay. Returning to Norfolk on 7 March, Bearss spent the next six months preparing for her first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea with the 6th Fleet. On 16 September, she departed Norfolk bound for Britain, arriving at Plymouth on the 30th. From there, the destroyer sailed south and, after a brief stop at Algiers, cruised in the Mediterranean. Over the next six weeks, she visited Athens, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Suda Bay, Crete; and Naples, Italy. During her return voyage home, Bearss stopped at Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, before arriving in Norfolk on 1 December. She spent the next three months operating out of Norfolk engaged in training evolutions—antisubmarine warfare exercises, independent ship exercises, and refresher training.

Following a four-week availability in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard during March 1954, Bearss was assigned to DesDiv 321 and began preparations for a western Pacific deployment. The destroyer, in company with Wright (CVL-49), Ross (DD-563) and Rowe (DD-564), departed Norfolk on 20 April, ultimately bound for Japan. The group transited the Panama Canal on the 25th and, after stops at San Diego and Pearl Harbor, arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, for duty with 7th Fleet on 22 May.

Following a four-week availability in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard during March 1954, Bearss was assigned to DesDiv 321 and began preparations for a western Pacific deployment. The destroyer, in company with Wright (CVL-49), Ross (DD-563) and Rowe (DD-564), departed Norfolk on 20 April, ultimately bound for Japan. The group transited the Panama Canal on the 25th and, after stops at San Diego and Pearl Harbor, arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, for duty with 7th Fleet on 22 May.

Underway on the 5th, Bearss passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on 15 November and made her first port call a week later in Naples. Over the next several months, the destroyer participated in several ASW exercises with the Italian Navy. During this tour, she visited Augusta Bay, Sicily; Suda Bay, Crete; Rhodes and Piraeus, Greece; Beirut, Lebanon; Cannes, France; and Palma, Majorca. The warship returned to Norfolk on 26 February 1956 and spent the next several months operating locally and preparing for a summer midshipman cruise.

Underway on the 5th, Bearss passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on 15 November and made her first port call a week later in Naples. Over the next several months, the destroyer participated in several ASW exercises with the Italian Navy. During this tour, she visited Augusta Bay, Sicily; Suda Bay, Crete; Rhodes and Piraeus, Greece; Beirut, Lebanon; Cannes, France; and Palma, Majorca. The warship returned to Norfolk on 26 February 1956 and spent the next several months operating locally and preparing for a summer midshipman cruise.

Departing Annapolis on 1 June, Bearss carried her charges to Copenhagen, [[Denmark]], and Chatham, England, before steaming to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the traditional gunnery exercises took place on 25 July. Returning home to Norfolk on 1 August, she busied herself with local operations--although she was put on standby duty during the Suez Crisis in November and December--for the remainder of the year.

Departing Annapolis on 1 June, Bearss carried her charges to Copenhagen, [[Denmark]], and Chatham, England, before steaming to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the traditional gunnery exercises took place on 25 July. Returning home to Norfolk on 1 August, she busied herself with local operations—although she was put on standby duty during the Suez Crisis in November and December—for the remainder of the year.

On 15 January 1957, the destroyer sailed to Mayport, Fla., for planeguard training with aircraft carriers and pilots operating out of Pensacola. Returning to Norfolk on 20 March, she went into the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a regular overhaul, remaining there until 20 July. Following five weeks of refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, the destroyer prepared for her third deployment to the Mediterranean.

On 15 January 1957, the destroyer sailed to Mayport, Fla., for planeguard training with aircraft carriers and pilots operating out of Pensacola. Returning to Norfolk on 20 March, she went into the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a regular overhaul, remaining there until 20 July. Following five weeks of refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, the destroyer prepared for her third deployment to the Mediterranean.

Underway on 21 October, Bearss arrived at Gibraltar on 1 November 1957. Although more a year had passed since the Suez Crisis--during which British, French, and Israeli forces had first seized the canal, following Egypt's decision to nationalize the waterway, and then had been forced to withdraw--its effects were to diminish Britain's role in the Middle East and heighten the Soviet Union's influence in the region. In order to counter-balance the Soviet presence in Egypt, the 6th Fleet increased its operations in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Bearss, along with other destroyers from DesRon 32, visited Izmir, Turkey, from 7 to 18 November before sailing southeast to the Suez Canal. The warships transited the canal on the 21st for port visits at Massawa, Eritrea; the British colony of Aden; and Djibouti, French Somaliland.

Underway on 21 October, Bearss arrived at Gibraltar on 1 November 1957. Although more a year had passed since the Suez Crisis—during which British, French, and Israeli forces had first seized the canal, following Egypt's decision to nationalize the waterway, and then had been forced to withdraw—its effects were to diminish Britain's role in the Middle East and heighten the Soviet Union's influence in the region. In order to counter-balance the Soviet presence in Egypt, the 6th Fleet increased its operations in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Bearss, along with other destroyers from DesRon 32, visited Izmir, Turkey, from 7 to 18 November before sailing southeast to the Suez Canal. The warships transited the canal on the 21st for port visits at Massawa, Eritrea; the British colony of Aden; and Djibouti, French Somaliland.

Returning through the canal on 12 December, Bearss spent the next four weeks on patrol duty in the eastern Mediterranean, visiting Piraeus and Rhodes, [[Greece]], before the end of the year. She then sailed to Genoa, Italy, in preparation for NATO exercises in the western Mediterranean. Following two operations at sea with 6th Fleet, the destroyer headed home, arriving at Norfolk, via Gibraltar, on 5 March 1958.

Returning through the canal on 12 December, Bearss spent the next four weeks on patrol duty in the eastern Mediterranean, visiting Piraeus and Rhodes, [[Greece]], before the end of the year. She then sailed to Genoa, Italy, in preparation for NATO exercises in the western Mediterranean. Following two operations at sea with 6th Fleet, the destroyer headed home, arriving at Norfolk, via Gibraltar, on 5 March 1958.

After a six-week leave and upkeep period, Bearss participated in two NATO convoy exercises that summer, Operations "SLAMEX" and "CONVEX," both held in the central Atlantic. In between these exercises, the destroyer also began preparations for an extended cold weather operation. Departing Norfolk on 7 August, the warship escorted Norton Sound (AVM-1) well down into the South Atlantic. There, in early September, she helped the guided-missile ship launch rockets in support of Project "ARGUS"--testing the effects of weather on high-altitude missiles--until putting in to Rio de Janeiro on 15 September. The crew received five days of liberty there, and spent most of it "improving Brazilian-American relations." The destroyer sailed for home on the 20th, arriving in Norfolk on 30 September.

After a six-week leave and upkeep period, Bearss participated in two NATO convoy exercises that summer, Operations "SLAMEX" and "CONVEX," both held in the central Atlantic. In between these exercises, the destroyer also began preparations for an extended cold weather operation. Departing Norfolk on 7 August, the warship escorted Norton Sound (AVM-1) well down into the South Atlantic. There, in early September, she helped the guided-missile ship launch rockets in support of Project "ARGUS"—testing the effects of weather on high-altitude missiles—until putting in to Rio de Janeiro on 15 September. The crew received five days of liberty there, and spent most of it "improving Brazilian-American relations." The destroyer sailed for home on the 20th, arriving in Norfolk on 30 September.

In October, Bearss was reassigned from DesRon 32 to Reserve Destroyer Squadron (ResDesRon) 4 as a naval reserve training ship. Among other changes, her active-duty crew was reduced by half to make room for reservists doing their annual two-week active duty training. Her first cruise, to Guantanamo Bay and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, took place in early November. The reservists concentrated on gunnery drills, ship handling, and equipment familiarization. She carried out a second cruise in early December, this time to Port of Spain, Trinidad.

In October, Bearss was reassigned from DesRon 32 to Reserve Destroyer Squadron (ResDesRon) 4 as a naval reserve training ship. Among other changes, her active-duty crew was reduced by half to make room for reservists doing their annual two-week active duty training. Her first cruise, to Guantanamo Bay and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, took place in early November. The reservists concentrated on gunnery drills, ship handling, and equipment familiarization. She carried out a second cruise in early December, this time to Port of Spain, Trinidad.

In July, however, tensions with the [[Soviet Union]] had eased to the point where the Berlin call-up could be reversed. On 1 August, the selected reserve crew was released from active duty, and the destroyer was reassigned to ResDesRon 34. Over the next three months, Bearss conducted two reserve training cruises, one to Boston and the other to the Bahamas, and received a tender availability alongside Vulcan (AR-5) in September.

In July, however, tensions with the [[Soviet Union]] had eased to the point where the Berlin call-up could be reversed. On 1 August, the selected reserve crew was released from active duty, and the destroyer was reassigned to ResDesRon 34. Over the next three months, Bearss conducted two reserve training cruises, one to Boston and the other to the Bahamas, and received a tender availability alongside Vulcan (AR-5) in September.

At the same time, however, the Atlantic Fleet began shifting its center of gravity to West Indian and nearby Atlantic waters in response to the buildup of Soviet-supplied surface-to-air (SAM) missiles and other defensive weapons in Cuba. On 22 October, following the photo reconnaissance discovery of a launch site under construction in Cuba--intended for nuclear-armed offensive missiles--President Kennedy announced a "strict quarantine" of the island.

At the same time, however, the Atlantic Fleet began shifting its center of gravity to West Indian and nearby Atlantic waters in response to the buildup of Soviet-supplied surface-to-air (SAM) missiles and other defensive weapons in Cuba. On 22 October, following the photo reconnaissance discovery of a launch site under construction in Cuba—intended for nuclear-armed offensive missiles—President Kennedy announced a "strict quarantine" of the island.

Tasked with a support role, Bearss got underway from Norfolk on 4 November carrying men and equipment for the ships on the quarantine line. On the 6th, she highline transferred 106 men and 200 tons of cargo to Newport News (CA-148), Neosho (AO-143), and Wasp (CVS-18). The next day, she followed this up by transferring 28 men to Stickell (DD-888) and Steinaker (DE-452). On her final mission during the crisis, she carried 207 passengers from San Juan to [[Guantanamo Bay]] before returning to Norfolk. The crisis finally ended on 20 November when the Soviets finished dismantling their missile bases and withdrew their offensive forces from Cuba.

Tasked with a support role, Bearss got underway from Norfolk on 4 November carrying men and equipment for the ships on the quarantine line. On the 6th, she highline transferred 106 men and 200 tons of cargo to Newport News (CA-148), Neosho (AO-143), and Wasp (CVS-18). The next day, she followed this up by transferring 28 men to Stickell (DD-888) and Steinaker (DE-452). On her final mission during the crisis, she carried 207 passengers from San Juan to [[Guantanamo Bay]] before returning to Norfolk. The crisis finally ended on 20 November when the Soviets finished dismantling their missile bases and withdrew their offensive forces from Cuba.

Bearss resumed her regular two-week reserve training cruises in December. These continued through the first six months of 1963, with port visits to San Juan, St. Thomas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and New York city. On 15 June, she broke this routine by embarking on a four-week training cruise to Spain. During this exercise, the destroyer visited Barcelona--where her crew participated in Project "Handclasp"--and Palma de Majorca before returning to Norfolk on 14 July.

Bearss resumed her regular two-week reserve training cruises in December. These continued through the first six months of 1963, with port visits to San Juan, St. Thomas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and New York city. On 15 June, she broke this routine by embarking on a four-week training cruise to Spain. During this exercise, the destroyer visited Barcelona—where her crew participated in Project "Handclasp"—and Palma de Majorca before returning to Norfolk on 14 July.

After conducting two more training cruises that summer, one to Newfoundland and the other to New York, the warship's crew began inactivation preparations in September. Bearss was decommissioned on 1 October 1963 and, for the next decade, lay in the Norfolk Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 December 1974, and she was sold for scrapping to the Union Minerals & Alloys Corp., New York, in April 1976.

After conducting two more training cruises that summer, one to Newfoundland and the other to New York, the warship's crew began inactivation preparations in September. Bearss was decommissioned on 1 October 1963 and, for the next decade, lay in the Norfolk Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 December 1974, and she was sold for scrapping to the Union Minerals & Alloys Corp., New York, in April 1976.

Bearss earned one battle star for her [[World War II]] service.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4-list.htm]</ref>

Bearss earned one battle star for her [[World War II]] service.<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4-list.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]</ref>

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Ships]]

[[Category:Ships]]