About this Unit
USS Farragut (DLG-6), later reclassified as DDG-37, was the lead ship of her class of guided missile destroyers in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1960, she served as a key element of the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Farragut underwent several modernization overhauls to upgrade her missile and radar systems, ensuring her continued effectiveness in air defense roles. After more than two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1989 and subsequently stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Farragut (DLG-6) was named after Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and full admiral in the U.S. Navy, famous for the phrase "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" during the Battle of Mobile Bay in the Civil War.
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Class Leader: She was the lead ship of the Farragut-class guided missile destroyers (initially classed as destroyer leaders, DLGs), representing a new generation of missile-armed surface combatants.
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Commissioning: USS Farragut was commissioned on 10 December 1960 in the Boston Naval Shipyard, marking the Navy’s first all-missile, all-gas turbine powered class of warships.
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Cold War Service: She played a significant role during the Cold War, often deployed in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in NATO exercises and providing air defense for carrier task forces.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: Farragut participated in the naval blockade ("quarantine") during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, helping to intercept and inspect ships heading to Cuba.
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Vietnam War Deployment: She saw service during the Vietnam War, providing escort and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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Technological Innovations: As a guided missile ship, Farragut was equipped with the Terrier surface-to-air missile system, advanced for its time, and later upgraded to the Standard missile system.
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Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat roles, Farragut participated in various rescue missions at sea, including aiding distressed vessels and participating in search and rescue operations.
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Redesignation: In 1975, she was reclassified from a guided missile frigate (DLG-6) to a guided missile destroyer (DDG-37) as part of a Navy-wide reorganization of ship classifications.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Farragut was decommissioned on 31 October 1989 after almost 30 years of service and was eventually scrapped in the mid-1990s, ending the legacy of the first ship of her class.
