About this Unit
USS Conolly (DD-979) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on February 14, 1978. Named after Admiral Richard L. Conolly, the ship served as a multi-mission destroyer, specializing in anti-submarine warfare but also capable of surface and air defense operations. Throughout her career, Conolly participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf. After over two decades of service, USS Conolly was decommissioned on September 18, 1998, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2009.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Conolly (DD-979) was named after Admiral James L. "Red" Conolly, a highly decorated World War II and Cold War naval officer known for his innovations in amphibious warfare.
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Spruance-class Destroyer: Commissioned on 14 October 1978, Conolly was one of 31 Spruance-class destroyers, designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare but also highly versatile for other missions.
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First Deployment: Her maiden deployment was to the Mediterranean Sea in 1979 as part of the Sixth Fleet, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s commitment to NATO allies during the Cold War.
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Operation Urgent Fury: In October 1983, Conolly participated in the U.S. invasion of Grenada, providing naval gunfire support and assisting in the evacuation of American citizens.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping: The ship served off the coast of Lebanon in the early 1980s, supporting U.S. and multinational peacekeeping forces during a turbulent period in Beirut.
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Advanced Technology: Conolly was among the first destroyers outfitted with the Tomahawk cruise missile system, enhancing her long-range strike capability.
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Rescue Operations: In 1987, Conolly rescued several crew members from a burning Panamanian freighter, demonstrating the Navy’s commitment to humanitarian missions at sea.
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Operation Desert Storm: During the Gulf War in 1991, Conolly escorted U.S. aircraft carriers and provided anti-air and anti-submarine protection for coalition naval forces.
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Decommissioning: USS Conolly was decommissioned on 18 September 1998 after two decades of distinguished service and was later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2009.
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Ship’s Motto: The motto "Total Commitment" reflected the crew’s dedication to mission excellence and the ship’s reputation for operational readiness throughout her career.
