About this Unit
USS David R. Ray (DD-971) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on November 19, 1977. Named after Hospital Corpsman Second Class David R. Ray, a Medal of Honor recipient, the ship served with distinction in the Pacific Fleet. Throughout her service, David R. Ray conducted numerous deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, participating in operations such as Operation Earnest Will and supporting multinational exercises. The destroyer was decommissioned on February 28, 2002, after nearly 25 years of service, and was later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2008.
Historical Facts
• Namesake Heroism: The USS David R. Ray (DD-971) was named after Hospital Corpsman Second Class David Robert Ray, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War while serving with the Marines at Quảng Nam Province in 1969.
• Spruance-Class Destroyer: Commissioned in 1977, the David R. Ray was part of the pioneering Spruance-class destroyers, which were among the first U.S. Navy ships designed specifically for anti-submarine warfare.
• Commissioning Location: The ship was commissioned at Pascagoula, Mississippi, on November 19, 1977, and was built at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries.
• Advanced Weaponry: She was equipped with advanced systems for her time, including the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile system and was later upgraded to carry the Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) for defense against anti-ship missiles.
• Rescue Operations: In April 1981, the David R. Ray rescued 35 Vietnamese refugees from a small vessel in the South China Sea, earning humanitarian commendations for her crew.
• Persian Gulf Deployments: The ship was deployed multiple times to the Persian Gulf, notably during Operation Earnest Will, where she escorted reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War in the late 1980s.
• Missile Attack: On October 19, 1987, the ship survived a near-miss attack by an Iranian Silkworm missile while operating in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the real dangers faced during those tense times.
• International Cooperation: David R. Ray participated in numerous joint exercises with allied navies, including exercises with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, promoting interoperability and alliance cohesion.
• Decommissioning: The vessel was decommissioned on February 28, 2002, after nearly 25 years of service, and was later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2008.
• Legacy: The ship's legacy is commemorated by various plaques and memorabilia in museums and veterans' organizations, and her ship’s bell is preserved by the David R. Ray Foundation to honor her namesake and crew.
