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USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708)

USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) was launched 17 December 1944 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N. J.; sponsored by Mrs. Mildred Mae Studler, mother; and commissioned at New York 17 February 1945, Comdr. Paul G. Osier in command.

After shakedown in the Caribbean, USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) departed New York for the Pacific 5 August 1945, but with the Japanese capitulation was ordered back to Solomons, Md., for experimental mine work. She finally joined her squadron at Pearl Harbor 12 December and remained in the Pacific for tactical training until March 1946. Returning to the east coast, USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) engaged in further training until sailing 2 February 1947 for the first of what were to become regular cruises in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet in its tremendous mission of keeping the peace against Soviet intrigue. In addition to visiting many Mediterranean ports, the destroyer sailed into the Red Sea before returning to the States 14 August.

During her second tour with the 6th Fleet, USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) served under the United Nations blue-and-white flag December 1948-January 1949 as the world peace organization strove to mediate the Palestine crisis-only one in many that developed in the Mediterranean "Sea of History" from 1945 on. In 1953 she participated in at sea training. On her sixth Mediterranean cruise, 2 July to 4 December 1956, USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) played a key role in another crisis situation, this time evacuating American citizens from Haifa, Israel, as war threatened between Israel and Egypt. 

USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708)'s constant participation in both fleet and NATO exercises to keep her fighting ability and readiness at a peak paid rich dividents in October 1962 as she joined a hunter-killer antisubmarine unit in the quarantine of Cuba during the offensive missile crisis. After the crisis subsided, Harlan R. Dickson continued her vital duty in maintaining America's strength and showing friend and foe alike her determination to maintain both peace and freedom. USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) joined Operation "Springboard" in the Caribbean, visiting San Juan and Santo Domingo before returning to Newport 4 February 1963.

While in the Persian Gulf, USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) represented the United States in Khargex VI, an exercise designed for the perfection of working relationships with our allies of the Iranian and British Navies. After a brief stop in the Mediterranean she returned to Newport in September. On 2 January 1964 USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) entered the Boston Naval Shipyard for overhaul.

For a complete history of USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) please see its DANFS page.