USS Comte De Grasse (DD-974)

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.