US Navy Gun Destroyers 1945–88

Fletcher class to Forrest Sherman class

Mark Stille, Adam Tooby

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Paperback

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English

Osprey
27 February 2024

History; The Cold War; Second World War; Military history: post WW2 conflicts; Military & naval ships; Ship design & naval architecture

Series: New Vanguard

An illustrated history of the long Cold War careers of the US Navy's last gun destroyers, from the modernized World War II-era Fletcher-class to the Forrest Sherman-class.

The finest American destroyers of World War II had surprisingly long careers into the Cold War and the missile age. The 175-strong Fletcher-class was the largest class of US Navy destroyers ever built, and most received some modernization after World War II. A handful were converted into ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) escorts and one was even converted into the US Navy’s first guided missile destroyer. Many Sumner-class destroyers were also kept in service, with the last decommissioned in 1973.

The Gearing class was the classic US Navy wartime destroyer to have a second Cold War career, some being modified into picket ships and others into ASW escorts. Ninety-five were extensively modernized under the Fleet Modernization and Rehabilitation (FRAM) program which allowed them to serve until 1980. The majority of these ships then saw service with foreign navies.

However the story of Cold War gun destroyers is not just one of World War II relics. Commissioned in the 1950s, the 18 ships of the Forrest Sherman class were the US Navy’s last all-gun destroyers, and were considered to be the pinnacle of US Navy gun-destroyer design. Later in their careers, most were modernized for ASW and antiair warfare. The virtually unknown Norfolk class was originally built as a destroyer leader and maximized for ASW but only two were modernized and the other three retired early. Many of these ships, such as USS Edson, Cassin Young, and Turner Joy, still survive as museum ships today.

Using battlescene artwork, detailed illustrations and photos, this book explores the careers, modernizations, and roles of all these unsung Cold War stalwarts, the last gun destroyers of the US Navy.

By: Mark Stille
Illustrated by: Adam Tooby
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 322
Dimensions: Height: 244mm, Width: 182mm, Spine: 6mm
Weight: 165g
ISBN: 9781472855121
ISBN 10: 1472855124
Series: New Vanguard
Pages: 48
Publication Date: 27 February 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Mark Stille (Commander, United States Navy, retired) received his BA in History from the University of Maryland and also holds an MA from the Naval War College. He recently concluded a nearly 40-year career in the intelligence community including tours on the faculty of the Naval War College, on the Joint Staff and on US Navy ships. He is the author of numerous Osprey titles focusing on naval history in the Pacific.

Reviews for US Navy Gun Destroyers 1945–88: Fletcher class to Forrest Sherman class

This is a well written, detailed book which discusses the role of these ships and their development from those war time classes. * Miniature Wargames *