USS Brister (DE-327)

USS Brister (DE/DER-327) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, named for Ensign Robert E. Brister (1920–1942).

Built in Orange, Texas
Brister was laid down on 14 June 1943 at Consolidated Steel Corporation, Ltd., of Orange, Texas; launched on 24 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Blanche Brister, mother of Ensign Brister; and commissioned on 30 November 1943, with Lieutenant Commander L. H. Crosby, USNR, in command.

World War II operations
Between June 1944 and June 1945, Brister made two successful trans-Atlantic escort crossings to Italy and five to the United Kingdom. On 8 June 1945 she departed New York City for the Pacific, arriving at San Diego on 3 July 1945.

Brister departed Pearl Harbor in August 1945 and proceeded to the Far East, arriving there in September. She carried out patrol and escort duties in the East China Sea, supporting the occupation of Japan and Korea, until April 1946. She departed Singapore on 8 April 1946 and returned to Charleston, South Carolina, via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, arriving there on 30 May. Brister then reported for inactivation and went out of commission in reserve at Green Cove Springs, Florida, on 4 October 1946.

Conversion to radar picket ship
On 1 September 1955 Brister commenced conversion to a radar picket escort vessel at Charleston Naval Shipyard. She was recommissioned on 21 July 1956 as DER-327 and reported to the Atlantic Fleet for duty.

While assigned to Operation Market Time near the coastal waters of South Vietnam, she assisted USCGC Point Grey (WPB-82324) and USCGC Point Cypress (WPB-82326) in destroying a North Vietnamese trawler attempting to smuggle arms and ammunition into the country.

Struck from Navy records
Brister was stricken 23 September 1968.