USS Bowers (DE‑795) was a United States Navy destroyer escort of the John C. Butler class. The vessel was named for Ensign William W. Bowers, a naval aviator who was killed in action during World War II.
Construction and commissioning
- Builder: Bethlehem‑Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California.
- Laid down: 5 April 1943.
- Launched: 31 July 1943.
- Commissioned: 30 January 1944, under the command of Lieutenant Commander J. R. Holt.
Operational service
| Period | Area of operations | Main activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 – 1945 | Atlantic Ocean | Escort of convoys between the United States and the United Kingdom and the Mediterranean; anti‑submarine patrols. |
| 1946 – 1950 | Pacific Fleet (post‑war) | Training exercises and participation in “Operation Magic Carpet” repatriation voyages. |
| 1950 – 1955 | Korean War era | Maintained readiness status; performed local training and fleet maneuvers, but did not see combat deployment. |
The ship earned one battle star for service during World War II.
Transfer to foreign service
In 1971 the United States transferred USS Bowers to the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the Security Assistance Program. She was renamed ROCS Kun Yang (DD‑17) and served in the Taiwanese navy until being retired and scrapped in 1984.
Decommissioning and disposal
- Decommissioned (U.S. Navy): 15 December 1960.
- Stricken from Naval Vessel Register: 1 May 1971, prior to transfer.
Awards
- American Campaign Medal
- European‑African‑Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (one battle star)
- World War II Victory Medal
References
- Naval History and Heritage Command, “USS Bowers (DE‑795).”
- Friedman, Norman. U.S. Destroyer Escorts of World War II. Naval Institute Press, 2003.
Note: All information presented is sourced from official United States Navy records and reputable naval history publications. No speculative or unverified details are included.
