About this Unit
USS Comte De Grasse (DD-974) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1978. Named after French Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in numerous NATO exercises and supporting fleet operations during the Cold War. Throughout its career, Comte De Grasse was involved in operations such as Desert Storm and various counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1998 and later sunk as a target during a naval exercise in 2006.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Tribute: USS Comte De Grasse (DD-974) was named in honor of French Admiral François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, whose naval victory at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781 played a crucial role in the American victory at Yorktown during the Revolutionary War.
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Spruance-class Destroyer: The ship was the 24th Spruance-class destroyer, a class designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare but later adapted for multi-mission roles.
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Keel Laying and Commissioning: Her keel was laid on 4 April 1977 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and she was commissioned on 5 August 1978.
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Cold War Service: USS Comte De Grasse actively served during the latter part of the Cold War, participating in numerous NATO exercises and deployments to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping: In 1983, she was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and supported the Multinational Force in Lebanon, providing offshore firepower and presence during a turbulent period.
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Counter-Narcotics Operations: The ship was involved in several successful drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean Sea, seizing large quantities of narcotics and detaining drug traffickers.
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Desert Storm Participation: In 1991, Comte De Grasse deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Storm, conducting escort and patrol duties, and enforcing sanctions against Iraq.
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Rescue at Sea: On multiple occasions, the ship conducted search and rescue operations, including rescuing the crew of a sinking vessel in the Caribbean, earning her crew commendations for bravery and seamanship.
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Women in the Crew: In the early 1990s, USS Comte De Grasse was among the first U.S. Navy combatant ships to integrate female sailors and officers, reflecting changes in Navy policy and culture.
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Final Fate: After 26 years of service, she was decommissioned on 5 June 1998. In July 2006, the ship was sunk as a target during a training exercise off the coast of Virginia, serving one last time to enhance naval readiness.
