USS Rizzi (DE-537)

USS Rizzi (DE-537) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket.

Rizzi was named in honor of Rosalio Mario Rizzi who was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroism during rescue operations for Wasp (CV-7) survivors.

Rizzi (DE-537) was laid down on 3 November 1943 by the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts; launched on 7 December 1943; and christened by Mrs. Theresa Rizzi, mother of Seaman First Class Rizzi at commissioning on 26 June 1945, when Lt. Comdr. E. K. Winn, USNR, assumed command.

Built too late for the war
Completing shakedown the day following the cessation of World War II hostilities, Rizzi departed Boston after availability and instead of heading for the Pacific Ocean, steamed to Norfolk, Virginia, for duty as training ship for student officers of the Destroyer School. Transferred in mid-November, she headed back to New England waters only to receive orders directing her to prepare for inactivation. A visit to New York followed and with the new year, 1946, she sailed south to Green Cove Springs, Florida, and on 23 January reported to Commander, 16th (inactive) Fleet.

Reactivated as a training ship
Decommissioned on 18 June 1946, Rizzi remained at Green Cove Springs in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until ordered activated and assigned to the 3rd Naval District as a reserve training ship in January 1951. Recommissioned on 28 March 1951, she proceeded to New York whence she conducted training cruises-weekend and 2-week cruises along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, and summer cruises to Europe in 1953 and 1955 and to South America in 1954 for reservists in the New York City area.

Final decommissioning
In November 1957, Rizzi again prepared for inactivation.

Decommissioned 28 February 1958, she remained in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, berthed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until the spring of 1972. At that time, she was surveyed and found to be unfit for further service. Consequently, Rizzi was stricken from the Navy list 1 August 1972. She was sold for scrapping 5 February 1974.