Nicholas at Pearl Harbor, 1955. Click on any image to view it in more detail.

From the ship’s history
Conversion and recommissioning

In November 1950, work was begun to convert NICHOLAS to an Escort Destroyer (DDE). Conversion was completed and NICHOLAS was recommissioned on 19 February 1951. After a shakedown cruise and three weeks of underway training in San Diego, she was headed toward Pearl Harbor to join the remainder of Escort Destroyer Division TWELVE, which was preparing for a tour of duty in the Far East. Commander H. C. Mason was the Commanding Officer at this time.

Korean War

Arriving in Yokosuka 10 June 1951, the ship began a vigorous tour which included service with Task Force 77 off the west coast of Korea, Hunter Killer training between Yokosuka and Okinawa and a patrol in the Formosa Straits. The ship visited Hong Kong during the latter part of the tour and on 6 November 1951, left Yokosuka bound for Pearl Harbor. She arrived in Pearl Harbor on 14 November 1951.
     On 3 May 1952, the ship left for the Far East as a part of DESDIV 112 replacing USS Stembel (DD-644) for the brief 3 month tour. The ship operated with Task Force 77 for a time and then moved to the West Coast of Korea to operate with the British as part of Task Force 95. After a short period on Hunter Killer activities, the ship, in. company with DESDIV 112, returned to Pearl Harbor, arriving 26 July 1952.
     After a short period of leave, recreation, and upkeep, the ship prepared to return again to the Far East as a member of CORTDESDIV 12. The division left for the Orient on 10 November 1952. Again the ship operated as a part of Task Force 77, sometimes independently off the coast, often as a part of the screening force in carrier operations. Hunter Killer training was held between Okinawa and Yokosuka. A patrol was made in the Formosa Straits and during an intermission in this patrol, a brief call was made at Hong Kong. On 24 March 1953, Commander Mason was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander J. C. Eliot.
     On the 20th of May 1953, the ship was underway from Yokosuka, having completed her third tour of the Far East since World War II. Ten days later, the ship in company with CORTDESDIV 12, arrived in Pearl Harbor.
     The summer of 1953 was spent in the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard where the ship underwent extensive overhauls. In November 1953, having completed her yard period, the ship was underway for Underway Training Exercises which lasted three weeks. After a Christmas Availability period the ship departed for the Pacific Proving Grounds for participation in “OPERATION CASTLE,” the atomic test series of 1954. Five months later, on 20 May 1954, the ship had completed her mission to the Marshall Islands and returned to Pearl Harbor.

Post-Korean deployments

Another short stay at home and the Division was again en route, this time to the Far East. The division arrived at Yokosuka 24 June 1954. NICHOLAS participated in plane guard duty off the East Coast of Korea as part of Task Group 95.2.
   The division returned to Pearl Harbor on 21 August 1954. In March the ship underwent a three month shipyard overhaul. On 14 June 1955, Commander J. C. Eliot was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander J. B. Kaye. Immediately thereafter, the ship got underway for Underway Training Exercises, which lasted four weeks. Upon completion of this training, NICHOLAS left again with CORTDESDIV 12 for the Far East, arriving in Yokosuka on 18 August 1955.
     After a brief stay in Yokosuka for upkeep, the ship continued its rigorous training by conducting “Hunter Killer Operations” between

Beginning in the mid-fifties, Nicholas was assigned to Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-FIVE, part of the “Pineapple Fleet.” Each ship carried the squadron’s insignia on the forward stack.

Japan and Okinawa. Shortly before joining Task Group 77, NICHOLAS paid visits to Hong Kong and Formosa. On 21 December after two weeks of Task Force Operations, the ship returned to Yokosuka for Christmas Holidays. The ship welcomed in the New Year while operating off the coastal town of Atami, Japan. After a few days of upkeep at Yokosuka, the ship left on 7 January 1956 in the company of CORTDESDIV TWELVE became DESDIV 252. On 29 October 1956, NICHOLAS, in company with DESDIV 252, left for a five month WESTPAC cruise.
     This period (29 October 1956 to 22 January 1957) saw the ship engaged in Task Force and Hunter-Killer Operations, which were punctuated by visits to Yokosuka, Sasebo and Nagoya. The scheduled WESTPAC tour was cut short when DESDIV 252 was ordered to return to Pearl Harbor and arrived there 22 January 1957.
   Upon returning to Pearl Harbor, Type Training and HUK Operations continued with much valuable experience being gained. On 28 June 1957 USS NICHOLAS commenced overhaul at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
     On 29 June 1957 Commander J. B. KAYE was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander R. E. HAWTHORNE. With the completion of our overhaul period on 27 September 1957 the ship entered a period of intensive refresher and Type Training Exercises in preparation for the coming WESTPAC cruise.
     On 27 December 1957 the ship deployed from Pearl Harbor enroute to the WESTPAC are for a five-month cruise.
     The first port was Yokosuka, Japan for voyage repairs and recreation. Following this Hunter-Killer and type training Operations occupied Nicholas’ time until late January when she visited Subic Bay and Philippine Islands. Extensive operations followed including Operation Strong back in which DESDIV 252 participated until 8 March when she anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa on her way to Japan. A change of orders sent Nicholas and the rest of DESDIV 252 to patrol off the east coast of Sumatra. While in this area Nicholas visited Singapore on two occasions. Availability followed in Subic Bay and from there the ship visited Manila, Hong Kong, B.C.C., Manus Island, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, Wellington, New Zealand, and Pago Pago in American Samoa enroute to Pearl Harbor.
     On return to Pearl Harbor on 29 May 1958 Nicholas began a period of type training and HUK Operations to keep the ship in a constant state of operational readiness.
     In a change of command ceremony held at Pearl Harbor on 14 January 1959, Commander E. L. KELLEY, USN relieved Commander R. E. HAWTHORNE and became the ninth Commanding Officer of NICHOLAS.
     On 18 February 1959 NICHOLAS left Hawaiian waters for her five month WESTPAC deployment. She arrived at Yokosuka, Japan on the 28th and commenced voyage repairs. From Japan NICHOLAS steamed on a HUK to Okinawa where a few days of recreation were enjoyed. The next port was Subic Bay, P.I. for preparations in anticipation of Exercise SEADEMON and several days were spent in ASW, Plane, replenishment and tactical exercises. The second phase of this operation took place enroute to Manila with more intensive exercises. Following the release from SEADEMON, NICHOLAS visited Hong Kong in early May then returned to Subic Bay, P.I. for an availability. From there visits to Sasebo, Kobe, Nagoya and Yokosuka, Japan followed with HUKS and plane guard assignments between ports. On 30 June DESDIV 252 left Japan for the second visit to Australia in two years. The ship stopped in Guam and Manus for fuel arriving in Brisbane on the 12th of July for a six day visit and then returned via Pago Pago, Samoa to Pearl Harbor and the 50th state on 30 July 1959.
     The ship remained in Pearl Harbor participating in various exercises including OPERATION CLEAR RIDGE, an amphibious exercise, and preparing for her forthcoming overhaul in December under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) plan for destroyers. On 22 December Nicholas entered the naval shipyard at Pearl Harbor to undergo the Fram Mark II conversion.