USS COLLETT – Timelines & Shipmates of 1956-59

          (Compiled with the help of many COLLETT shipmates)

History of the Ship Prior to 1956

The USS COLLETT is named in honor of LCDR John Austin COLLETT, a naval aviator whose aircraft was lost in the fierce battle of Santa Cruz in the Pacific in October 1942.  Keel was laid by the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine on 16 Oct 1943 as a 2200-ton Sumner class destroyer; 376 feet in length, 40 feet abeam.  The USS COLLETT was commissioned on 16 May 1944 at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA. 

COLLETT remained in continuous commission as an active ship of the fleet and saw action in WWII and the Korean War providing gunfire support, radar picket patrol, anti-submarine patrol, and carrier escort.  Beginning in 1946, COLLETT alternated between Cold-War WESTPAC cruises as a member of the Seventh Fleet and local operations along the west coast of the US.  The USS COLLETT participated actively in the Korean conflict; she performed missions similar to those of WWII.  In 1950, COLLETT was part of the “Sitting Duck” Squadron in Inchon Harbor. 

Following the Korean War, COLLETT continued to alternate between WESTPAC cruises and local operations along the west coast of the US – (per “Welcome Aboard” Brochures, Cruise Books, & Decommissioning Ceremony).”

Overview of 1956-1959

The USS COLLETT participated actively in the Korean conflict; she performed missions similar to those of WWII.

Following the Korean War, COLLETT continued to alternate between WESTPAC cruises and local operations along the west coast of the US - per the “Decommissioning Ceremony.”

In 1956, Dwight D. Eisenhower has been President since 1953 and remains so until 1961.

Shipmates & Timelines

To view the list of shipmates or the timeline for a given year, move your cursor over the corresponding line below and click your mouse button.

The year 1956.

The year 1957.

The year 1958.

The year 1959.