USS Hale, 1960

The second Hale (DD-642) was launched 4 April 1943 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. G. H. Chase, granddaughter of Senator Hale; and commissioned at Boston 15 June 1943, Comdr. Karl F. Poehlmann in command.

As the war against Japan ended 15 August, Hale took up duties as air-sea rescue ship offshore during the landing of occupation forces. She entered Tokyo Bay 16 September 1945, and departed 1 October for the United States carrying 100 veterans. She arrived Seattle 19 October 1945 and was placed in commission in reserve at San Diego until decommissioning 15 January 1947.

With the outbreak of the Korean War and the increase of tension throughout the world, Hale was taken out of reserve, commissioning at Long Beach 24 March 1951. After shakedown cruise she sailed via the Panama Canal to her new home port, Newport, R.I., arriving 11 July After refresher training she departed 22 April 1952 to serve with the 6th Fleet in Mediterranean waters in support of American diplomacy in this vital and troubled region.

In the Mediterranean from August 1959-February I960 Hale continued a peace-keeping and goodwill role. She returned to Newport 26 February 1959. After a period of important experimental work in anti-submarine warfare with nuclear submarines, Hale, decommissioned at Boston 30 July 1960. She was transferred to Colombia 23 January 1961 under the Military Assistance Program and now serves as Antioguia (DD-01).

[Taken from the entry on the Hale in the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.]