On this date...
 
USS Rich (DD/DDE 820)
, a Gearing-class destroyer, was laid down on 16 May 1945 by the Consolidated Steel Corporation at their yard in Orange, Texas.

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.

RICH served her country for over 31 years from 1946 to 1977 and was awarded three battle stars for service off Vietnam.




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