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Naval History and Heritage Command Hampton Roads Naval Museum

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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader, attached to the 4th Marine Division, during the landing and battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1 February 1944. Severely wounded in the stomach while setting a demolition charge on a Japanese pillbox, 1st Lt. Power was steadfast in his determination to remain in action. Protecting his wound with his left hand and firing with his right, he courageously advanced as another hostile position was taken under attack, fiercely charging the opening made by the explosion and emptying his carbine into the pillbox. While attempting to reload and continue the attack, 1st Lt. Power was shot again in the stomach and head and collapsed in the doorway. His exceptional valor, fortitude and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of withering enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

After shakedown out of Bay, Cuba, on 9 January 1946 on the first of many and employments. Returning to the east coast six months later, she remained in the Atlantic late in 1948 when she again sailed for Mediterranean waters, to patrol the coast of the direction of the Nations Mediation Board. During early 1950, with units of the Navy visited ports in Europe, whence she steamed to the Mediterranean for another tour with the 6th Fleet. In the summer of 1952 to South American, then returned to the east coast to resume her schedule of reservist and Midshipman training cruises, fleet and type exercises, and Mediterranean deployments. In 1958 the crisis the 6th Fleet; and, after her return to the east coast, participated in the first Project Mercury.

From November 1960 to January 1962 a Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul, giving her the and DASH. By September 1962 she was back in the Mediterranean. During her 1963 overseas deployment with the East Force at the end of the year, into 1964, operated off eastern Florida in connection with the. Following another Mediterranean cruise and further east coast exercises in late 1965, she steamed in mid-Atlantic as a member of the recovery team’s for 6.During 1966 and 1967, she again served with the 6th Fleet and the Middle East Force, but in August 1968 she transited the Canal a tour in the western Pacific. With the 6th Fleet 26 September 1968, she served in the “Yankee Station” Surveillance Area and provided support and rescue (SAR) off South Vietnam. She arrived Mayport, Florida 9 July 1969.

1970 and 1971, Power deployed to show the flag in foreign countries, visiting ports in South America, Africa, and the Persian Gulf. In late 1972 and 1973, she deployed to the Mediterranean. There she participated in gunnery, amphibious, and anti-submarine exercises, and visited ports in the Riviera, Greece, and Turkey. On 2 September 1973, Power left Mayport, Florida, her homeport for many years, to move to Fort Schuyler in New York City, to assume duties in the Naval Reserve Force. A Selected Reserve Crew, which is completely integrated with the nucleus crew, reports on board for training one weekend each month for two weeks annually. During 1974, Power underwent a five and one-half million overhaul, receiving major work in the area of engineering, electronics. And habitability. Having rejoined the Reserve Force, Power could mobilize and be ready for any conflict or contingency. Following her overhaul, she returned to Fort Schuyler and contented training reserves. On 14 January 1976, she again deployed with reserves for training, and in June she participated in COPUTEX 5. After returning to her homeport, she departed in May for Norfolk to her ammunition, then return to New York. In July she departed once more for Mayport, going alongside Yosemite AD-19, and arrived back in Brooklyn for overhaul at the Coastal Dry-dock Company. Following her overhaul and refresher training, she resumed her regular schedule of training reservists.

USS Power  decommissioned in September 1977, and sold to the Republic of China (Taiwan) in October.The ship served in the Republic of China Navy as ROCS Sheng-Yang (DDG-923).

Sheng-Yang was decommissioned on 26 November 2005 in Keelung Harbor, in a ceremony hosted by Admiral Bon-Chi Chen, the commander-in-chief of the ROCN.   The ship, then Taiwan’s last ex-Gearing-class destroyer, will possibly become a museum ship.