About this Unit
USS Dale (DLG-19), a Leahy-class guided missile frigate, was commissioned into the United States Navy on 23 November 1963. Primarily designed for anti-aircraft warfare, she played a vital role in fleet air defense and participated in multiple deployments in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. During her service, USS Dale took part in numerous NATO exercises and provided support during crises such as the Yom Kippur War in 1973. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on 27 September 1994.
Historical Facts
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Commissioning and Class: USS Dale (DLG-19) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, originally designated as a "destroyer leader" (DLG), commissioned on 23 November 1963.
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Name Heritage: She was the fourth U.S. Navy ship named after Commodore Richard Dale, a notable officer in the American Revolutionary War and the early U.S. Navy.
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Home Port: Initially homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, USS Dale later shifted to Mayport, Florida, reflecting the U.S. Navy's Atlantic fleet priorities during the Cold War.
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Vietnam War Service: USS Dale deployed to the Western Pacific and served off the coast of Vietnam, providing anti-aircraft and missile support for carrier operations.
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Missile Technology: As one of the first ships equipped with the "double-ended" missile system, Dale could launch Terrier missiles fore and aft, a significant advancement in anti-air and anti-surface warfare.
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Cold War Patrols: The ship performed numerous Mediterranean and North Atlantic patrols as part of the U.S. 6th Fleet, including operations during periods of heightened tensions with the Soviet Union.
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Reclassification: In 1975, USS Dale was reclassified from DLG-19 (destroyer leader) to CG-19, designating her as a guided missile cruiser under the U.S. Navy's new ship classification system.
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Space Program Support: USS Dale participated in recovery operations for the Apollo space missions, serving as a tracking and communications ship during splashdown events.
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Modernization: Dale underwent substantial modernization in the late 1970s, including upgrades to her missile systems, radar, and electronic warfare suites to enhance her combat effectiveness.
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Decommissioning and Fate: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Dale was decommissioned on 27 September 1994 and later scrapped, marking the end of a distinguished career spanning the Vietnam War, Cold War, and into the post-Cold War era.
