USS Conynham (DDG-17)

• Namesake: USS Conyngham (DDG-17) was named after Gustavus Conyngham, a daring Continental Navy officer and privateer during the American Revolutionary War. • Class: The ship was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer, designed primarily for anti-aircraft warfare with advanced missile systems for its era. • Commissioning: Conyngham was commissioned on 13 July 1963 at the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York. • Vietnam War Service: The vessel saw action during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station. • 1972 Fire Incident: On 8 May 1972, a severe fire broke out in the ship’s after fireroom, resulting in the deaths of two crewmen and the ship having to be towed for repairs. • Lebanon Peacekeeping: USS Conyngham participated in the multinational peacekeeping force off the coast of Lebanon during the 1980s, including operations during the Lebanese Civil War. • Rescue Operations: The ship was involved in several rescue operations, including aiding distressed vessels in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. • Missile Systems: Equipped with the RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missile system, Conyngham was a vital part of the US Navy's air defense during the Cold War. • Decommissioning: USS Conyngham was decommissioned on 20 October 1990 after nearly 30 years of service, and later sold for scrap in 1995. • Legacy: The ship’s motto was “Prompt to Serve,” and many of her crew members went on to distinguished naval careers, remembering Conyngham as a reliable and spirited vessel.