The USS Bradford (DD-545) was a Fletcher-class destroyer constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Launched on December 12, 1942, by Bethlehem Shipbuilding on Terminal Island, California, she was sponsored by Mrs. Sarah Bradford Rose, a descendant of Captain Gamaliel Bradford, after whom she was named. Commissioned on June 12, 1943, the Bradford was designed as a versatile warship capable of screening larger vessels, engaging enemy ships, and supporting amphibious operations. Upon her commissioning, the Bradford quickly joined the Pacific Theater of operations. She departed for Pearl Harbor on August 18, 1943, and within a day, she was underway to participate in the capture and occupation of Baker Island. Her early service included screening duties for carrier strikes during the Tarawa raid and Wake Island raid. She played a key role as part of Task Group 52.3, covering the occupation of the Gilbert Islands, and later joined Task Group 37.2 for strikes against Kavieng during the Bismarck Archipelago campaigns. She participated in the occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls and engaged enemy ships during the Truk attack, notably scoring torpedo and gunfire hits on an enemy cruiser and destroyer. In 1945, after an overhaul, Bradford took part in the assault on Iwo Jima and the pivotal Okinawa campaign, serving as a screening vessel and radar picket ship, contributing significantly to the fleet's operations and earning the Navy Unit Commendation for her radar picket service. She also supported minesweeping operations in the East China Sea and carried out transport missions in the Far East. Recommissioned in 1950 amid the Korean War, Bradford served three Far Eastern tours, providing shore bombardments and patrols supporting United Nations forces off Korea. She continued operations out of San Diego between deployments until her decommissioning on September 28, 1961. The ship was transferred to Greece in 1962, serving as Thyella (D28) until she was stricken in 1981 and subsequently scrapped. Throughout her service, the USS Bradford earned 12 battle stars for World War II and six for Korea, reflecting her notable contribution to U.S. naval operations during critical conflicts.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.