About this Unit
USS Barry (DD-933) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1956. Throughout her service, Barry conducted numerous operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean, including crisis response during the 1958 Lebanon crisis and patrols during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. She participated in NATO exercises and served as a goodwill ambassador during port visits around the world. Decommissioned in 1982, USS Barry later became a museum ship in Washington, D.C., until her removal in 2015.
Historical Facts
•
Forrest Sherman-class Destroyer: USS Barry (DD-933) was one of the 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers built for the US Navy, commissioned on 7 September 1956.
•
Named After a Naval Hero: The ship was named in honor of Commodore John Barry, an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War, often called the "Father of the American Navy."
•
Cold War Operations: Barry was actively involved in numerous Cold War operations, including patrols in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic as part of the US 6th Fleet.
•
Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Barry played a crucial role in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, participating in the naval quarantine to intercept Soviet ships heading for Cuba.
•
Vietnam War Service: The destroyer provided naval gunfire support and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War.
•
Modernization - FRAM II: In 1969, Barry underwent a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM II) overhaul, updating her weapons and radar systems to extend her service life.
•
Lebanon Crisis 1958: Barry supported US Marines during the Lebanon Crisis, providing a naval presence and assisting with the evacuation and protection of American citizens.
•
Decommissioned and Museum Ship: Decommissioned in 1982, Barry was towed to Washington, D.C., where she served as a museum ship and training vessel at the Washington Navy Yard from 1984 to 2015.
•
Popular Tourist Attraction: Moored on the Anacostia River, USS Barry became a popular attraction, visited by over a million people, including school groups and veterans.
•
Final Fate: After over 30 years as a museum ship, the deteriorating hull and logistical challenges led to her removal from Washington in 2016. She was ultimately dismantled for scrap, ending her long and storied career.
