Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Tags
Related Content
Topic
Document Type
  • Themed Collection
Wars & Conflicts
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC

USS Harwood (DD-861/DE-861)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Harwood (DD-861/DE-861)

USS Harwood (DD-861) was launched 22 May 1945 by the Bethlehem Steel Co., San Pedro, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. Bruce Lawrence Harwood, widow of the late Commander Harwood; and commissioned 28 September 1945, Comdr. Reid P. Fiala in command.

After shakedown along the California coast, USS Harwood (DD-861) Joined the 7th Fleet in Chinese waters. In addition to aiding in the occupation of Japan, the destroyer also participated in fleet and antisubmarine exercises before returning to San Diego 21 February 1947. USS Harwood (DD-861) entered the Mare Island shipyard after a second WesPac cruise in January 1949 to be equipped with the latest antisubmarine equipment. Redesignated DDE-861 4 March 1950, the escort destroyer reported to her new home port, Newport, R.I., 11 September 1949 to participate in research on cold weather ASW operations as well as fleet and training exercises.

USS Harwood (DDE-861) sailed 4 January 1957 for a 3-month ASW demonstration which took her along the South American coast to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Panama and Cuba. Entering the New York Navy Yard 2 May 1961, USS Harwood (DDE-861) underwent a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul. Harwood sailed for the Mediterranean 6 August and provided ASW service during Exercise "Riptide IV" en route. She transited the Straits of Gibraltar on the 22d for intense periods of AAW, ASW, and BCM exercises in the Med. Returning home 23 December, the destroyer operated along the Atlantic coast until getting under way 31 March 1964 for a brief visit to Brazil. 

In April 1965 USS Harwood (DDE-861) began overhaul and alterations at Norfolk which turned out to be a major face lifting. On 22 August she returned to Mayport en route to Guatanamo Bay, Cuba, for refresher training. She operated along the coast of the Southern states until departing Mayport 22 July 1966 for the Mediterranean deployment. On this tour USS Harwood (DDE-861) transited the Suez Canal and visited Aden and Kenya before rejoining the 6th Fleet in the Med 2 November.

USS Harwood (DDE-861) returned home 17 December. She operated out of Newport, off the New England coast until sailing for her 10th Mediterranean deployment 29 June 1967. Reaching Rota, Spain, 10 July, Harwood soon joined the 6th Fleet, an element of stability in the ancient and volatile sea which had so recently been churned by the Arab war with Israel.

For a compelte history of USS Harwood (DD-861/DE-861) please see its DANFS page.