About this Unit
USS Davis (DD-937) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Named after Admiral Charles H. Davis, the ship served extensively in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in NATO exercises, crisis response operations, and providing naval gunfire support during the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, Davis engaged in anti-submarine warfare training and multiple deployments with the Sixth Fleet. She was decommissioned in 1982 and subsequently stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of nearly 25 years of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
• Commissioning and Namesake: USS Davis (DD-937) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned on March 6, 1957. She was named in honor of Commander George Fleming Davis, awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during World War II.
• First Atlantic Deployment: Her first Atlantic deployment was in September 1958, where she participated in NATO exercises and visited numerous European ports, strengthening ties with US allies.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Davis played a significant role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, assisting in the naval "quarantine" of Cuba to prevent Soviet missile deliveries.
• Vietnam War Service: She completed several deployments to Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support for ground forces and carrier escort duties, notably during Operation Sea Dragon.
• Rescue Operations: In 1967, USS Davis rescued the crew of a downed American aircraft off the coast of Vietnam, highlighting her versatility and humanitarian role.
• Space Program Support: Davis was assigned as a recovery ship for the Gemini and Apollo space programs, ready to assist in the event of splashdown emergencies.
• Modernization: Underwent a major Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) overhaul in the late 1960s, receiving updated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) equipment and new electronics.
• Middle East Operations: In 1973, Davis was deployed to the Mediterranean during the Yom Kippur War, providing presence and support for American interests in the region.
• Goodwill Visits: She frequently participated in goodwill port visits and multinational exercises, including a notable 1978 circumnavigation of South America with UNITAS XIX.
• Decommissioning and Fate: USS Davis was decommissioned on December 20, 1982, and eventually sold for scrap in 1992, after over 25 years of distinguished service.
