A Escort Destroyer (DDE) is a US Navy post World War II classification for destroyers (DD) modified for and assigned to a fleet escort role. These destroyers retained their original hull numbers. Later, in March 1950, the post WWII ASW destroyer (DDK) classification was merged with the DDE classification, resulting in all DDK ships being reclassified as DDE, but again retaining their original hull numbers.
Similar modifications were made by the Royal Navy, usually to older, World War I era vessels, to fit them for specific tasks such as convoy work.
Escort Destroyers should not be confused with the cheaper, slower, less capable, and more lightly armed WWII Destroyer Escorts
On 30 June 1962 the DDE classification was retired and all DDEs were reclassified as destroyers (DD).
Famous quotes containing the words escort and/or destroyer:
“When you escort someone, escort him all the way to his destination; if you help someone, help him thoroughly.”
—Chinese proverb.
“The supreme, the merciless, the destroyer of opposition, the exalted King, the shepherd, the protector of the quarters of the world, the King the word of whose mouth destroys mountains and seas, who by his lordly attack has forced mighty and merciless Kings from the rising of the sun to the setting of the same to acknowledge one supremacy.”
—Ashurnasirpal II (r. 883–59 B.C.)