About this Unit
USS Du Pont (DD-941) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in July 1957. Named after Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, she served actively during the Cold War, participating in numerous Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments. The destroyer saw action in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and participating in operations off the coast of Southeast Asia. USS Du Pont was decommissioned in March 1983 after over 25 years of service and was eventually scrapped in 1992.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Du Pont (DD-941) was named after Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, a prominent U.S. Navy officer who served with distinction during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.
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Class and Commissioning: The ship was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, commissioned on 1 July 1957 at the Boston Naval Shipyard.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: USS Du Pont played a key role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, enforcing the naval quarantine of Cuba as part of the U.S. response to Soviet missile deployments.
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Vietnam War Service: The destroyer completed several deployments to the Vietnam War zone, providing naval gunfire support for ground forces and participating in search and rescue missions.
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Mid-life Modernization: In the late 1960s, Du Pont underwent significant upgrades, including the installation of anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launchers and improved radar and sonar systems.
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Collision Incident: In August 1979, Du Pont collided with the Greek merchant ship M/V Samudra off the coast of Virginia, suffering minor damage but continuing operations after repairs.
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Historic Rescue: In 1970, Du Pont rescued the crew of the burning Panamanian freighter M/V Grand Winner in the Mediterranean Sea, demonstrating skill and bravery under hazardous conditions.
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First Operational Digital Fire Control: Du Pont was among the first destroyers fitted with the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS), a groundbreaking digital combat information and weapons control system.
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Decommissioning and Fate: The ship was decommissioned on 4 March 1983 and later sunk as a target during fleet training exercises off the coast of Puerto Rico in July 1989.
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Legacy: USS Du Pont earned numerous awards for her service, including battle stars for Vietnam War duty, and is remembered for her adaptability and contributions during both peacetime operations and periods of conflict.
