DeHaven in WWII

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The DeHaven in Korea

[ Inchon Invasion ] [ Mayday in the Tsushima Strait ] [ 1952 Cruise-1 ] [ 1952 Cruise-2 ] [ 1952 Cruise-3 ]

When the Communists invaded South Korea 25 June 1950, DeHaven was assigned to patrol off the Korean coast. She screened the Norwegian ship Reinholt evacuating American dependents from Inchon to Yokosuka; patrolled on the blockade; bombarded shore targets; acted as lifeguard and communications linking ship for air strikes against Pyongyang and Haeju; and provided call fire support for United Nations troops. On 13 and 14 September, she stood up a treacherous channel to anchor a scant 800 yards from Wolmi-Do and pour fire into the concealed gun emplacements in preparation for the bold Assault on Inchon. DeHaven provided gunfire support for the successful landings the following day, and for her part in the daring action was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.

Returning to Blockade duty 25 September 1950, DeHaven dispersed a Communist force attempting to ambush a Korean Army unit; aided the mined Brush (DD-745) and escorted her to Sasebo; and provided fire support for a British Command raid on 6 and 7 October. She cleared Yokosuka 1 November for San Diego, arriving 18 November.

During DeHaven's second tour of Korean duty from 18 June 1951 to 17 February 1952 she served primarily on blockade patrol. After an overhaul and local operation at San Diego, she sailed from Long Beach 16 September 1952 to serve as flagship for ships on patrol in the Congjin-Songjin-Chaho area until 18 November. After patrol duty with TF 77, she returned to Korean waters for duty with TF 77, she returned to Korean waters for duty with TF 95 on patrol off Wonsan Harbor, supporting the minesweeping operations there from 12 to 18 February. She got underway from Sasebo 11 March for Long Beach, arriving 9 April.

DeHaven continued to alternate duty in the western Pacific with local operation along the west coast, making six voyages to the Far East from 1953 through 1959. On 1 February 1960 she began a major overhaul for modernization at San Francisco, completed in September. DeHaven returned to training activities through the remaining months of 1960.

DeHaven received the Navy Unit Commendation and six Battle Stars for Korean War service.