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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski
Name Tab courtesy of Al Grazevich

USS Donald B. Beary (DE 1085)



Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - Q - U - B

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Second Row: Navy Unit Commendation - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (3) - Navy Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 star
Third Row: National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Humanitarian Service Ribbon - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon


"Prudentia - Animus - Fortitudo"
(Knowledge - Spirit - Valor)
Specifications:
Class: Knox
Type: SCB No. 199C / 1964
Number in Class: 46
Displacement: 3020 tons (std), 4065 tons (full)
Length: 415' (wl), 438' (oa)
Beam: 46' 9" (extreme)
Draft: 24' 9" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 Combustion Engineering 1200psi boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000 shp; 1 shaft
Speed: 27 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots
Complement: 16 / 211
Missiles: 1 8-tube Mk25 Sea Sparrow BPDMS in DE 1052-1069, 1071-1083, 1 8-tube Mk29 NATO Sea Sparrow IPDMS in DE 1070, Harpoon missiles from modified ASROC launcher
Guns: 1 x 5"/54 cal. DP Mk 42 (600 rds)
ASW Weapons: 1 Mk16 ASROC launcher (16 missiles), 4-12.75" (324mm) Mk 32 (4x1 fixed) tubes / Mk 46 torpedos (6)
Radars: AN/SPS-10 (surface), AN/SPS-40 (air), AN/SPS-58 threat warning in some ships
Sonars: AN/SQS-26CX, AN/SQS-35 IVDS in FF-1052, 1056, 1063-1071, 1073-1076, 1078-1097
Fire Control Systems: Mk68 Mod. 11/13/14 Gun FCS, Mk114 Mod 14/16 ASW FCS
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Donald B. Beary (DE 1085) Building and Operational Data:
  • 25 August 1966: Building contract awarded to the Avondale Shipyard Corp.
  • 24 July 1970: Keel laid by the Avondale Shipyards, Inc., Westwego, La.
  • 22 May 1971: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Mary L. Beary, widow of Admiral Beary
  • 22 July 1972: Commissioned at the Boston NSY, Cmdr. John J. Gelke in command; assigned to Destroyer Squadron 10 at Norfolk, Va.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1085)
  • 30 September 1991: Assigned to Naval Reserve Force, Atlantic, at Norfolk, Va.
  • 15 December 1991: Reclassified Training Frigate (FFT 1085)
  • March 1992: Reassigned to NRF, Naval Station, Staten Island, New York
  • 20 May 1994: Decommissioned at Norfolk, Va. after 22 years and 9 months of service; leased to Turkey, renamed TCG Karadeniz (F-255)
  • 11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
  • 20 September 1998: Lease to Turkey renewed (Decommissioned 2006)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108501

    Donald B. Beary

    133k Donald Bradford Beary was born 4 December 1888, in Helena, Montana. After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1910, he completed a Master of Sciences degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University. During World War I, he earned the Navy Cross for distinguished service in command of a patrol yacht and destroyer engaged in convoy duty and anti-submarine warfare. During World War II, Vice Admiral Beary (then Captain) was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in military operations against the enemy in the Pacific and Indian Oceans areas while in command of the troop transport Mount Vernon (AP 22) and head of Transport Division Nineteen. He was especially cited for his conspicuous professional ability, leadership, and organization in landing desperately needed reinforcements at Singapore and the evacuation of refugees from that city despite repeated air raids in the area. In 1942, Vice Admiral Beary (then Rear Admiral) became Commandant of Naval Operations Base Iceland. At his command, warships were organized and expeditiously developed into a high state of battle proficiency. For this meritorious service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1944, Rear Admiral Beary took command of Service Squadron Six, a revolutionary new mobile underway replenishment support force. Service Squadron Six, under Beary's leadership, overcame the problems of tremendous distances involved in the Pacific War. With his replenishment forces at sea, the Fleet could choose its rendezvous points, retire a few hundred miles for rearming, refueling, and reprovisioning, and strike again without delay. The achievement of underway replenishment was a decisive factor in shortening the war. His genius for maintaining logistic support to Admiral Spruance's Fifth Fleet and Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet was recognized by two awards of the Legion of Merit for exceptional and meritorious conduct as Commander, Service Squadron Six. After World War II, Rear Admiral Beary served as Administrator of the U.S. Naval Shipping Control Authority, Commandant of the Twelfth Naval District, Commander, Naval Base San Francisco, Commander, Western Sea frontier, and Commander, Pacific Reserve Fleet. In 1948, having attained the rank of Vice Admiral, he became the President of the Naval War college at Newport, RI, until his retirement in 1948. Admiral Beary was interred at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium with full military honors.

    USS Donald B. Beary (DE 1085) (1972-1994) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.

    Assoc. Researcher
    Navsource
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108502
    69k undated Victor Rupert
    (1979-1982)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108503
    256k undated: Westwego, La. - Avondale Shipyard showing the assembly-line process for building DE's. 1083, 1085, and 1081 are shown. Craig Vance
    Captain, USN
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108525
    260k 1974: Barcelona, Spain - Donald B. Beary's bow overlooks the port of Barcelona. Ron Williams
    Mezieres, Switzerland
    USS Donald B. Beary
    1974 - January 1976
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108533
    376k July 1978: Norfolk, Va. - USS Donald B. Beary (FF 1085) moored at the Norfolk Naval Station.

    (Heilenday photo #1 00033A from the Heilenday Collection)
    Mark Heilenday
    Virginia Beach, Va.

    Captain, USN (ret.)
    June 1974 - July 2004
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108530
    148k 07 March 1979: Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti - The frigate USS Donald B. Beary (FF 1085) tied up ouboard of the French destroyer Kersaint (D 622). In the background is the guided missile frigate USS Richard L. Page (FFG 5) tied up outboard of the destroyer USS Davis (DD 937).

    (Photo © Karsten Peterson, Karsten is a retired merchant seaman with an excellent website called Sailor, On the Blue Path of the World)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108531
    185k 07 March 1979: Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti - A bow view of the frigate Donald B. Beary tied up ouboard of the French destroyer Kersaint (D 622).

    (Photo © Karsten Peterson)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108504
    94k 01 June 1980: At sea - A flight deck crewman directs the pilot of an SH-2 Seasprite helicopter as the helicopter takes off from the frigate USS Donald B. Beary (FF 1085). The helicopter is from Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 32 (HSL-32).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-82-02163 by PH3 Pat Gibbons from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108505
    145k 1983: off the coast of Nicaragua - I served aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV 43) from 83-85. In 1983 we went on a world cruise with a permanent change of home station from Alameda, Cal. to Norfolk, Va.. I worked in the ship's weapons elevators division (G4, Weapons Department) which gave me access to the carrier's island topside as we had an ammo hoist up there for the CIWS 20mm gun. I'm not sure if Donald B. Beary was part of our carrier battle group or not, but I snapped these pictures of her during a show of force/airshow from atop the Coral Sea's island structure.

    (Photo © Randy Tata)
    Randy Tata
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108506
    146k 1983: off the coast of Nicaragua - Beary gives Coral Sea a loud demonstration.

    (Photo © Randy Tata)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108507
    127k 1983: off the coast of Nicaragua - Passing by Coral Sea after firing main gun.

    (Photo © Randy Tata)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108508
    106k 1983: off the coast of Nicaragua - Beary crossing Coral Sea's bow.

    (Photo © Randy Tata)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108509
    46k August 1985: Norfolk, Va. - Moored portside to Pier 2.

    (Photo © Randy Tata)
    Rick Rowan
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108523
    152k 20 August 1985: USS Donald B. Beary underway off the coast of Virginia.

    (Photo courtesy of Atlantic Fleet Sales, © AFS / Nobe Smith)
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108527
    32k 1986: Norfolk, Va. - USS Missouri (BB 63) viewed over the bow of Donald B. Beary. Ron Williams
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108510
    656k 17 October 1987: At sea - A port view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-11739 by PH3 Michael Skeens from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108511
    162k 07 October 1988: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - Crew members man the rails of Donald B. Beary as tugs maneuver the ship into the harbor. The Beary is among eight U.S. Navy warships here participating in Navy Appreciation Week sponsored by the Navy League.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-02326 by PH2 Elliot from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108526
    183k 1989: Norfolk, Va. - Donald B. Beary berthed across the pier from USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). Ron Williams
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108512
    120k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A bow view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08280 from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108513
    102k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A starboard bow view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08279 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108514
    104k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A starboard amidships view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08276 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108515
    138k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A view of the mack structure and surrounding area.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08283 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108516
    149k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A partial starboard quarter view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08282 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108517
    126k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A stern view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08277 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108518
    132k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A partial port quarter view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08278 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108519
    126k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A view of the port superstructure on Donald B. Beary, from the mack structure to the Mark 29 ASROC box launcher.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08281 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108520
    154k 01 April 1989: Hampton Roads, Va. - A partial port bow view of Donald B. Beary underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-08284 from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108521
    181k 22 September 1989: At sea - A port bow view of Donald B. Beary underway off the Virginia coast.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-11536 by PH3 Vise from the DVIC)
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108532
    124k circa 1989: the Atlantic Ocean - USS Donald B. Beary (FF 1085) underway off the Virginia Capes.

    (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 107463 by PH2 Vise from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108522
    180k 21 May 1994: NavSta Norfolk, Va. - A starboard quarter view of the recently commissioned Turkish frigate Karadeniz (F-254) tied up at pier eleven at the Norfolk Naval Station. The Karadeniz is the former Knox class frigate USS Donald B. Beary (FF 1085).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-95-00971 by Don Montgomery from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108524
    102k undated / no location: as TCG Karadeniz (F-255) -
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108528
    134k undated: in an unspecified Turkish port - ex-Donald B. Beary as TCG Karadeniz (F-255) Ron Williams
    Donald B. Beary
    0602108529
    157k circa 2007: The Turkish frigate TCG Karadeniz (F-255, ex-USS Donald B. Beary DE-1085) underway, location unknown.

    (Photo by DZ.K.K.)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom

    Donald B. Beary
    Memorabilia

    Commissioning
    Book (22 Jul. 1972)
    Donald B. Beary
    Courtesy of
    Robert M. Cieri
    Welcome Aboard
    Pamphlet (circa '72)
    Donald B. Beary
    Courtesy of
    Wolfgang Hechler

    Donald B. Beary History
    The DANFS history for USS Donald B. Beary (DE 1085) is not presently available at the Naval History and Heritage Command.
    View the USS Donald B. Beary (DE 1085) history located on Wikipedia.

    Donald B. Beary's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)   22 Jul 1972 - 14 Dec 1973Cmdr. John J. Gelke (USMMA '55) (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
    2.)   14 Dec 1973 - 19 Dec 1975Cmdr. Niles W. Berry (prior enl. / OCS '61) (Beverly, Mass.)
    3.)   19 Dec 1975 - 28 Apr 1978Cmdr. Robert B. Cottom
    4.)   28 Apr 1978 - 11 Apr 1980Cmdr. Anthony Robert Colucci
    5.)   11 Apr 1980 - 16 Apr 1982Cmdr. Paul David Frazer
    6.)   16 Apr 1982 - 04 May 1984Cmdr. Peter Edward O'Connor
    7.)   04 May 1984 - 02 Jul 1986Cmdr. Ralph Hall Lipfert (USNA '66) (Exeter, Pa.)
    8.)   02 Jul 1986 - 15 Sep 1988Cmdr. Elmer John Halley, Jr.
    9.)   15 Sep 1988 - 18 Sep 1990Cmdr. Thomas Paul Cruser
    10.) 18 Sep 1990 - 15 Mar 1991Cmdr. Dewey V. Collier
    11.) 15 Mar 1991 - 24 Jan 1993Cmdr. Timothy Hugh Meyer
    12.) 24 Jan 1993 - 29 Nov 1993Cmdr. William John Clark, Jr.
    13.) 29 Nov 1993 - 20 May 1994Cmdr. Derwood Claiborne Curtis (Chicago, Ill.) (ret.as Vadm.)

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    None
    Note About Contacts

    Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been
    made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only
    a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists, rosters, or deck logs available. Please see the
    Frequently Asked Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.


    Additional Resources

    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
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    Page Last Updated: 23 September 2024