USS Rich (DD-820/DDE-820) was a Gearing -class destroyer in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was the second ship named in honor of Lieutenant (junior grade) Ralph McMaster Rich (1916–1942), who was awarded the Navy Cross for his leadership as a naval aviator aboard USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway.

The life and times of this great ship in photos and word by the great sailors who crewed her.

USS RICH (DD-820) The second Rich (DD-820) was laid down on 16 May 1944 by the Consolidated Steel Corp. Orange Tex. launched 5 October 1945 sponsored by Mrs. Ralph McM. Rich and commissioned on 3 July 1946 Comdr. R. C. Houston in command.

USS Rich may refer to the following ships of the United States Navy: USS Rich (DE-695), a Buckley -class destroyer escort launched in 1943 and sunk off Utah Beach in 1944

USS RICH was one of the GEARING - class destroyers and the second ship in the Navy to bear the name. After a collision in July 1977, the USS RICH was decommissioned on November 10, 1977, and struck from the Navy list on December 15, 1977. The destroyer was sold for scrap to Union Minerals and Alloys Corp., New York, NY, on December 5, 1979.

Rotated regularly to duty with the 6th Fleet, Rich operated during the 1950's and 1960's principally off the east coasts of the United States and Canada; in the Caribbean, and in the Mediterranean. In addition to participation in fleet and NATO exercises she steamed with the 6th Fleet in the eastern Mediterranean during the Suez Crisis of 1956.

Rich decommissioned on 10 November 1977 and was struck from the Navy list on 15 December 1977. She was sold for scrap to Union Minerals and Alloys Corp., New York, N.Y., on 5 December 1979. Rich was awarded three battle stars for service off Vietnam. Sources: Navsource – Wikipedia – Wikimedia – NHHC – DANFS – Website – Facebook.

In 1979, RICH was broken up as scrap. The metal and material that made the physical ship are long gone. The spirit that made the USS RICH is alive and well in the hearts of each man who served aboard her. That spirit will remain alive here on …

USS Rich (DD-820) off the New York Naval Shipyard on 17 September 1947 after initial converson to a specialized ASW destroyer. The modifications included removal of number two 5"/38 gun mount and addition of a small mainmast and a new integrated sonar. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

On 8 June at 8.30 am, the USS Glennon hit an underwater mine and the commander of Task Force 125.8, on board the USS Tuscaloosa, ordered USS Rich to lead the rescue mission. It launched a lifeboat and then started to circle around the damaged ship.