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USS Gearing (DD-710)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Gearing (DD-710)

USS Gearing (DD-710) was launched 18 February 1945 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas M. Foley, daughter of Comdr. Gearing; and commissioned 3 May 1945, Commander T. H. Copeman in command.

After shakedown off Cuba, USS Gearing (DD-710) reached Norfolk 22 July 1945 and trained precommisioning crews for other destroyers until putting in at Casco Bay, Maine, 5 October. Returning to Norfolk 21 March 1946, she conducted peacetime operations along the Atlantic coast of North and South America, in the Caribbean, visiting Montevido. Uraguay; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. USS Gearing (DD-710) sailed 10 November 1947 on her first Mediterranean cruise, calling at Algeria, Malta, Italy, and France before mooring again at Norfolk 11 March 1948.

During the fall of 1949 USS Gearing (DD-710) took part in Operation Frostbite, an Arctic cruise test and development of cold weather techniques and equipment. She continued operations off the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean through 1950. By now USS Gearing (DD-710) had established the pattern of peacetime operations she followed well into the 1960's: "Med" cruises usually once a year, and exercise in the Atlantic and Caribbean. These kept her in fighting trim for the ceaseless duties of seapower. USS Gearing (DD-710) was modernized and overhauled late 1961 through early 1962 at Boston. In October 1962 USS Gearing (DD-710) took part in the American "quarantine" patrol against Cuba as the world trembled on the brink of war. This swift and classic use of power at sea solved the crisis. On 1 November USS Gearing (DD-710) returned to Norfolk. Through the remainder of 1962 she continued operations in the Atlantic.

After participating in Operation "Springboard-63." early in 1963, USS Gearing (DD-710) sailed for the Mediterranean in March serving with the 6th Fleet during the summer. She returned to Newport in September for a "FRAM I" overhaul. Following operations in the Caribbean and North Atlantic in the spring and summer of 1964, USS Gearing (DD-710) entered the Mediterranean 4 October to rejoin the 6th Fleet. After returning home early in 1965, she continued operating in the Atlantic Fleet into 1967.

For a complete history of USS Gearing (DD-710) please see its DANFS page.