USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852)
_underway_in_1974.jpg) |
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
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| Name: | USS Leonard F. Mason |
| Namesake: | Leonard F. Mason |
| Builder: | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Laid down: | 2 May 1945 |
| Launched: | 4 January 1946 |
| Commissioned: | 28 June 1946 |
| Decommissioned: | 2 November 1976 |
| Struck: | 2 November 1976 |
| Identification: | DD-582 |
| Honors and awards: |
3 battle stars (Korea) |
| Fate: | Sold to Republic of China, 10 March 1978 |
 Taiwan
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| Name: | ROCS Lai Yang or Shuei Yang (DD-26) |
| Acquired: | 10 March 1978 |
| Reclassified: | DDG-926 |
| Decommissioned: | 16 February 2000 |
| Fate: | Sunk 11 April 2003 to create an artificial reef |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Gearing-class destroyer |
| Displacement: | 2,425 long tons (2,464 t) |
| Length: | 390 ft 6 in (119.02 m) |
| Beam: | 41 ft 1 in (12.52 m) |
| Draft: | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Propulsion: | Geared turbines, 2 shafts, 65,464 shp (49 MW) |
| Speed: | 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
| Range: | 4,500 nmi (8,300 km) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement: | 11 officers, 325 crew |
| Armament: |
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USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy, She was named for Private First Class Leonard F. Mason USMC (1920–1944), who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Battle of Guam.
Leonard F. Mason was laid down on 2 May 1945 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts launched on 4 January 1946; sponsored by Mrs. Hillary Mason, mother of PFC Mason; and commissioned on 28 June 1946, Commander S. D. B. Merrill in command.
Following shakedown in the Caribbean, DD-852 joined Destroyer Division 32 (DesDiv 32) in the Pacific on 22 January 1947. From 1947 to 1950, the ship completed two cruises in the western Pacific, as well as stateside operations.
During the early stages of the Korean War, Leonard F. Mason steamed for the Pacific on 13 November 1950 and joined in anti-submarine exercises. On 16 May 1951 she joined Task Force 85 (TF 85) at the siege of Wonsan to fire in the continuous shore bombardment which inflicted heavy damage on enemy bridges, tunnels, and troop concentrations. Bombardment was intense, and performed in cycles of 2, 3 and 5 minutes. While anchored in Wonsan, the North Koreans attempted to board the ship through the anchor chain, but were unsuccessful. Departing Wonsan on 23 July, she steamed for San Diego, California arriving 8 August 1951.
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