USS Hanson
USS Hanson 832
The Ship - General Info

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The U.S.S. Hanson DD/DDR 832, a Gearing class destroyer of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Marine 1st Lt. Robert Murray Hanson (4 February 1920 – 3 February 1944).

The Hanson was launched on 11 March 1945 by the Bath Iron Works Corporation in Bath, Maine, sponsored by Mrs. Harry A. Hanson, mother of Lt. Hanson, and was commissioned 11 May 1945 with Commander John C. Parham as Commanding Officer.

Read more in the Naval History and Heritage Command archives...


General Characteristics


Class and Type:

Gearing-class Destroyer

Displacement:

3,460 long tons (3,516 t) full

Length:

390 ft 6 in (119.02 m)

Beam:

40 ft 10 in (12.45 m)

Draft:

14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)

Propulsion:

Geared turbines, 2 shafts,
60,000 SHP (45 MW)

Speed:

35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)

Range:

4,500 nmi (8,300 km) at
20 knot (37 km/h; 23 mph)

Complement:

336

Armament:

  • 6 × 5"/38 caliber guns
  • 12 × 40 mm AA guns
  • 11 × 20 mm AA guns
  • 10 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 6 × depth charge projectors
  • 2 × depth charge tracks

Awards & Commendations

Ribbons picture
Richard Duffy & Campaign Ribbons



Eight Battle Stars for Korean Service
Eight Battle Stars
Seven Battle Stars for Vietnam Service
Seven Battle Stars

USS Hanson Vietnam Battle Stars

Compiled by Marty Sullivan

I was able to compare the service stars to the Hanson's Vietnam deployments and was able to identify seven bronze stars. Many thanks to the crewmembers who pieced together the history from their records and cruise books...

  • 65 Westpac Vietnam Defense Campaign
  • 66 Westpac Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase II
  • 68 Westpac Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase IV
  • 68 Westpac Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase V
  • 71 Westpac Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase VII
  • 71 Westpac Consolidation I
  • 72 Westpac Ceasefire Campaign

Without the deck logs, there is no assurance the Hanson did not earn more. So this is a work in progress.

 

Meritorious Unit Commendation


MUC

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to

 

USS HANSON (DD-832)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For meritorious service in combat operations against the enemy from 21 April to 20 October 1972, while attached to United States SEVENTH Fleet. USS HANSON provided naval gunfire support to allied forces in Military Region ONE of the Republic of Vietnam. Her accurate and timely gunfire inflicted significant damage on the enemy and is credited with saving the district capital of Mo Duc from being overrun by enemy forces. Also, HANSON participated in Operation CUSTOM TAILOR, a multi-cruiser/destroyer strike force that conducted a daring raid on the Haiphong complex. In the face of intense hostile fire, HANSON effectively suppressed coastal defense sites, allowing the cruisers to concentrate their fire on assigned targets. Her material readiness and professionalism enabled her to meet all commitments during an exceedingly high tempo of operations throughout her deployment. By their outstanding professionalism, devotion to duty, and teamwork, the officers and men of USS HANSON reflected credit upon themselves and their ship and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary,
/signed/ E.R. Zumwalt, Jr.
Admiral, United States Navy
Chief of Naval Operations

Combat Action Ribbon

CAR

Contributors Needed - Anyone who can find the award certificate, please send info to administrator

National Defense Service Medal

NDSM

Contributors Needed - Anyone who can find the award certificate, please send info to administrator

Vietnam Service Medal

VSM

Contributors Needed - Anyone who can find the award certificate, please send info to administrator

Vietnam Campaign Medal

VCM

Contributors Needed - Anyone who can find the award certificate, please send info to administrator