My father passed in 2011 at 89. His ship as far as I know still exists, but in poor condition. The South Vietnam Navy took command of it in 62, the North took it in 1975.
Dad was offered command in 1946 (age 24), but like most he just wanted to go home. The Navy wanted him to fight in the Greek Civil War, supported by the US and the UK. He didn't have navigational experience, but they were going to let that slide by, promote him to full lieutenant. That would be highly irregular (no one could normally command a ship without being a navigator).
He served at the tail end of Leyte, after the battle. Then were landings in Mindanao spring of 45. The only hot battle he was in at Balikpapan July 45. He would never talk about it, he opened up about it bit by bit shortly before he died. That was only time I ever heard him cry. 
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