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USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838)

USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) was launched on 14 June 1945 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs E. G. Small; and commissioned on 21 August 1945 with Commander T. D. McGrath, USN, in command. She was reclassified DDR-838 on 18 July 1952.

After completing her shakedown cruise in Guantanamo Bay, she sailed in company with USS Power (DD-839) on 11 January 1946 en route to Gibraltar whence she proceeded to Naples. She began a series of peacetime Mediterranean patrols in company with Power and USS Providence (CL-82) until 7 March. She continued in this mission independently until 7 August when she returned to the States. USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) sailed on 12 June for Norfolk and engaged in type exercises in the Virginia Capes Operating Area.

From 9 February to 10 April 1948 USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) cruised in the Caribbean and on 7 June began a midshipman cruise to the Mediterranean, calling at Lisbon, Genoa, Casablanca, and returning to Norfolk on 21 July. Her third tour in the Mediterranean was made between 30 August 1948 and 23 January 1949. From January to May 1950 she cruised in the Mediterranean and around northern Europe. With the outbreak of war in Korea, USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) was sent to join the 7th Fleet, and on 29 June she transited the Panama Canal en route to action.

USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) participated in the naval bombardment of Hungnam and was so occupied on 7 October when she struck a minewhich seriously damaged her bow, killed 9 and wounded 18. Four days later heavy seas broke the bow off and she was fitted with a stubby replacement which enabled her to reach Long Beach, arriving on 18 December 1951. She was decommissioned on 15 January 1952. and the bow of the unfinished USS Seymour D. Owens (DD-767) was grafted to her hull. She also underwent conversion to a radar picket ship at this time. Recommissioned as DDR-838 on 2 December 1952, she followed training exercises off the California coast with her first peacetime tour of the Far East which lasted from 11 July 1953 through 29 January 1954.

USS Ernest G. Small  (DDR-383) began another western Pacific tour in January 1958 as a unit of Destroyer Division 132 and was deployed in various operations, highlighted by participation in the SEATO exercise "Ocean Link." Until July 1959 she was engaged in competitive exercises and nose cone recoveries. The second half of the year was designated for a period of overhaul and local operations. Again, USS Ernest G. Small  (DDR-383) deployed to the western Pacific on 17 May 1960 with Destroyer Division 131. Her duty was principally to screen and picket USSTiconderoga (CVA-14) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). She arrived back at Long Beach on 16 November and on 29 December entered San Francisco Naval Shipyard for fleet rehabilitation and modernization.

For a complete history of USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838) please see its DANFS page.