Fletcher Class Destroyers Activated for the Korean War There were three configurations of Fletcher Class destroyers activated for the Korean War. The first group (Group 1) were those which could be quickly recommissioned that were basically in their World War II configuration with some ASW improvements. The second group (Group 2) was similar but with new improved radar. The third group (Group 3) had the 3-in. armament conversion, sometimes referred to as “four-gun Fletchers”, in addition to the ASW and radar upgrades. Only Group 1 and Group 2 are covered here. Group 3 will be covered in a later newspaper.             Individual units were continually upgraded during overhaul periods, therefore, you may see the same ship listed in both groups. The primary difference was the first group had pole foremasts and the second group had tripod foremasts. A number of minor changes can be found in photographs, such as K-guns off or on, but the profiles represent the activation improvements as ordered by the Bureau of Ships 1951-55. Group 1 Profile of the USS McCord (DD-534) is typical of the group. Armament: five 5-in./38 cal gun mounts, two quadruple 40mm and one twin 40mm gun mounts, one quintuple 21-in. torpedo tube mount, two Mk 10/11 hedgehog mounts, and one depth charge release track/one storage rack. Fire Control: one MK-37 GFCS with MK 25 radar, two Mk 63 GFCS with MK 19 radar, one MK 51 GFCS with MK 14 gun sight, and two MK 27 torpedo directors. Radar: SR air search set (pole foremast) and one SPS-10 surface navigational set. Sonar: one QHB set with TRR and attack plotter, one MK 102 UFCS. USS Kimberly (DD-521) USS Trathen (DD-530) USS Owen (DD-536) USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) USS Tingey (DD-539) USS Capps (DD-550) USS David W. Taylor (DD-551) USS Laws (DD-558) USS Harrison (DD-573) USS John Rodgers (DD-574) USS McKee (DD-575) USS Izard (DD-589) USS Sigourney (DD-643) USS Cogswell (DD-651) USS Kidd (DD-661) USS Heywood L. Edwards (DD-663) USS Richard P. Leary (DD-664) USS Chauncey (DD-667) USS Hunt (DD-674) USS Lewis Hancock (DD-675) USS Marshall (DD-676) USS Melvin (DD-680) USS Wedderburn (DD-684) USS Halsey Powell (DD-686) USS Wadleigh (DD-689) USS Irwin (DD-794) USS Cushing (DD-797) USS Porter (DD-800)   Print an order form