The bronze relief commemorating these ships and their crews was the first to be dedicated at the Navy Memorial on September 1, 1990. For the occasion, President George Bush sent greetings: “The brave American and the swift, highly maneuverable vessels memorialized by this plaque have earned a special place of honor in American naval history. Those who served aboard Destroyer Escorts during World War II were part of a generation that was called to defend our way of life against the forces of tyranny and aggression. DE crews fought courageously to protect the lifeline of ships that supplied the arsenal of freedom. Sinking enemy submarines, battling kamikazes, and rescuing downed aviators and sailors in distress, they played a pivotal role in the war at sea and contributed to the Allied victory.”

“The plaque will be a lasting testament to the dedication and sacrifice of the DE Sailor—not only those who served during World War II but also those who carried on their outstanding legacy in Korea and Vietnam. It will serve as a poignant reminder of the great debt we owe to all the men and women of our Nation's seafaring services . . . I applaud the spirit of the DE Sailor.”

The creation of the DE was an historic event, born of necessity and produced in quantity an example of American ingenuity and production capability. Manned almost entirely by Naval Reservists, the DEs were commanded by the likes of W. Graham Claytor, former Secretary of the Navy, and the late football coaching great "Woody'' Hayes. The multi-purpose ships of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, DEs ranged between 1,140 and 1,450 tons, about 300 feet long with a 35-foot beam, capable of 20 to 24 knots, and had crews of between 200 and 225. Approximately 600 destroyer escorts were built, most of them on a crash schedule of 90 days.

Some 150,000 Navy men have served in these versatile ships, earning for themselves the proud distinction of Destroyer Escort Sailors. They evince this pride in their sponsorship of their bronze relief by sculptor Gilbert A. Franklin through the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.