About this Unit
USS BELKNAP (DLG-26/CG-26) was commissioned in 1964 as a guided missile frigate and later reclassified as a guided missile cruiser in 1975. Serving as the lead ship of her class, BELKNAP participated in key operations during the Vietnam War and provided vital support in the Mediterranean as part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The ship is notably remembered for a devastating collision with USS JOHN F. KENNEDY in 1975, which resulted in a major fire and significant damage. After extensive repairs and modernization, BELKNAP returned to service, eventually serving as the Sixth Fleet flagship before being decommissioned in 1995.
Historical Facts
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First of Her Class: USS Belknap (DLG-26/CG-26) was the lead ship of her class of guided missile cruisers, setting the standard for seven other ships built in her design.
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Commissioning: She was commissioned on November 7, 1964, and named after Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap.
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Redesignation: Originally classified as a “frigate” (DLG), she was redesignated as a cruiser (CG) in 1975, reflecting changes in U.S. Navy ship classification.
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Collision with USS Kennedy: On November 22, 1975, Belknap collided with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in the Mediterranean Sea, causing a massive fire, the deaths of seven crewmen, and severe damage to the ship.
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Hull Rebuilding: After the collision, Belknap was almost gutted to her main deck and underwent extensive rebuilding at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, returning to service in 1980.
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Flagship for the Sixth Fleet: Belknap often served as the flagship for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, including during tense periods of the Cold War.
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Presidential Visit: In 1989, President George H. W. Bush visited the ship while she was the Sixth Fleet flagship, marking a rare presidential visit to a deployed warship.
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Technical Innovations: Belknap was among the first ships to carry the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS), which greatly improved battle management capabilities.
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Operation El Dorado Canyon: In April 1986, Belknap participated in the U.S. air strikes against Libya, providing air defense and command support during Operation El Dorado Canyon.
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Final Fate: Decommissioned in 1995, Belknap was sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise in 1998, ending her storied career at sea.
