About this Unit
USS **Barney (DDG-6)** was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1962. Throughout her service, Barney participated in key Cold War operations, including patrols in the Mediterranean and support missions during the Vietnam War. The ship conducted NATO exercises, provided naval gunfire support, and took part in surveillance and escort duties. Decommissioned in 1990, USS Barney served nearly three decades before being stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and later scrapped.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: USS Barney (DDG-6) was named after Commodore Joshua Barney, a celebrated naval hero of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
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Second Ship with the Name: DDG-6 was the third U.S. Navy ship to bear the name "Barney." The previous two served during World War I and World War II.
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Commissioning: USS Barney (DDG-6) was commissioned on 11 August 1962 at the New York Naval Shipyard, entering service during the height of the Cold War.
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Charles F. Adams-class: Barney was one of the Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers, designed as the first class of U.S. destroyers built from the keel up to launch guided missiles.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: Shortly after commissioning, USS Barney played a role in the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, helping to enforce the quarantine of Cuba.
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Vietnam War Deployment: The ship served in the Vietnam War, providing plane guard and anti-air warfare picket duties for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station.
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Collision Incident: In 1972, USS Barney collided with the Soviet destroyer Bravyy in the Mediterranean Sea during a tense Cold War encounter, but sustained only minor damage.
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Lebanon Operations: During the early 1980s, Barney participated in multinational peacekeeping operations off the coast of Lebanon, supporting U.S. Marine deployments in Beirut.
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Technological Upgrades: Over her career, Barney received numerous weapons and sensor upgrades, including the Standard Missile system, greatly enhancing her air defense capabilities.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Barney was decommissioned on 17 December 1990 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1992. She was later scrapped, marking the end of nearly three decades of distinguished service.
