Ships_History_Decommission

U.S.S. Higbee DDR/DD-806

                 Saying Goodbye to the U.S.S. Higbee DD-806
                                    TOP GUN   -   U.S. Fleet

SHIP'S COMPANY DEPARTING

The crew members of USS Higbee (DD 806) leave their ship
during decommissioning ceremonies, 15 July 1979.
The 35-year-old destroyer shot down six kamikazes in the
WWII Battle of Okinawa, earned seven battle stars in the Korean War,
and fought again in the Vietnam War—suffering a direct hit
from enemy aircraft that destroyed the after gun mount.
After decommissioning, Higbee joined the mothball fleet
at Bremerton, Wash. Photo by PHI Joe McCrite.

"One interesting side light. The U.S.S. Higbee retired as the "Top Gun"
ship in the Navy. The U.S.S. Higbee had the highest combined scores
(as I recall something in the order of 115%) in the fleet gunnery exercises
which consists of shore fire support, anti-aircraft and anti-ship.
Quite an accomplishment for a 33 year old ship manned at 60% for fleet manning."
Captain Peter W. Soverel, USN Retired

A Commander at the time, Captain Soverel was the last Commanding Officer
of the U.S.S. Higbee DD-806.