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USS Hammerberg (DE-1015)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Hammerberg (DE-1015)

USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) was launched 20 August 1954 by the Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Moss, mother; and commissioned 2 March 1955, Lt. Comdr. Murray E. Draper in command.

Based at Newport, USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) participated in convoy exercises, trained students at the Fleet Sonar School, Key West, and conducted antisubmarine warfare exercises during her first 24 years of service. USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) departed Newport 3 September 1957 to participate in maneuvers with units of NATO. Departing Newport 27 January 1959, USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) sailed to Guantanamo Bay for refresher training, then took part in antisubmarine warfare training with the navies of 'Chile and Peru. She returned to Newport 21 April. Between May 1959 and February 1960 USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) was busy with antisubmarine exercises interspersed with cruises to Newfoundland and Puerto Rico. In March and April she participated in amphibious operations at Onslow Beach, N.C., and deployed 23 August 1960 for her second 'South American cruise. USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) returned to Newport 13 December.

USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) departed Newport 7 August 1961 on her third South American cruise. In November, at the request of the Organization of American States, USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) and other American ships patrolled offshore the Dominican Republic to help ensure the orderly changeover of that government and check Communist influence. On 17 December she arrived Newport, R.I. During 1964 USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) participated in Operations "Springboard," "Canus Silex," and "Steel Pike," all exercises to sharpen the ship and crew not only in her important mission of locating and destroying submarines, but also in patrol, escort, rescue, evacuation, blockade and surveillance assignments.

On 8 February 1965 USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) got underway for Northern Europe to join NATO "Match Maker I" Squadron in Exercise "Pilot High." On 3 May the squadron left Lisbon for Operation "Pole Star" off Halifax, Nova Scotia. After return to Newport 20 July, USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) went into repair at Boston Naval Shipyard. She then trained off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1966 rendezvoused with USS Van Voorhis (DE-1028), USS Leahy (DLG-16) and USS Requin (SS-481) off Trinidad to participate in Operation "Unitas VII" through November. She continued her tactical maneuvers into 1967 constantly ready as a deterrant protecting the free world from aggression.

For a complete history of USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) please see its DANFS page.