Escort destroyer

An 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.