U.S.S. Ernest G. Small Association - The History of DDR-838

The U.S.S. Ernest G. Small (DD/DDR-838), a Gearing-class destroyer, was launched on 14 June 1945 and commissioned on 21 August 1945 with Cmdr. T.D. McGrath, USN, in command.

She was reclassified as DDR-838 on 18 July 1952 and received four battle stars for her Korean war service.This is her story and of the men who served aboard her.

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The U.S.S. Ernest G. Small served in
both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and a variety of peacetime operations.

Learn more about the E.G. Small's service to her country by clicking on the above links.

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Following a brief overhaul at San Diego in the first half of 1951, she began her second Korean tour as escort for the carrier Rendova (CVE-114). During a naval bombardment, she struck a mine.

The mine seriously damaged her bow, killed 9 and wounded 18 crewmen. Four days later, heavy seas ensued and her bow was completely broken off....