From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Born in Galveston, Tex., 4 May 1920 Robert Earl Brister enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1941 and was commissioned an Ensign in 1942. He was officially reported missing in action 2 May 1942 when Cythera (PY-26), on which he was serving, was reported long overdue and presumed lost in the Atlantic.

(DE-327: dp. 1200; l. 306'; b. 36'7"; dr. 12'3"; s. 21 k.; cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 3 21" TT., cl. Edsall)

Brister (DE-327) was launched 24 August 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Tex.; sponsored by Mrs. Blanche Brister, mother of Ensign Brister; and commissioned 30 November 1943, Lieutenant Commander L. H. Crosby, USNR, in command.

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 for the Pacific, arriving at San Diego 3 July 1945.

Brister departed Pearl Harbor in August 1945 and proceeded to the Far East, arriving 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 8 April 1946 and returned to Charleston, via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, arriving 30 May. Brister then reported for inactivation and went out of commission in reserve at Green Cove Springs, Fla., 4 October 1946.

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