The USS Paulding (DE-706) was a U.S. Navy destroyer escort commissioned during World War II. Launched on 1 March 1943, she was named after Commodore John Paulding, a naval officer in the War of 1812. The ship served primarily in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, providing anti-submarine warfare and escort duties. After the war, the USS Paulding was decommissioned in 1946 and later sold for scrap in 1972. Throughout her service, she earned several battle stars for her contributions to naval operations, reflecting her importance in maintaining maritime security during a critical period in history.