About this Unit
USS Gridley (CG-21) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on May 25, 1963. Originally designated as DLG-21 (destroyer leader), she was later reclassified as CG-21 in 1975. Throughout her service, Gridley played key roles in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving as a radar picket and missile defense ship. Over her career, she participated in numerous Pacific Fleet exercises and operations before being decommissioned on January 21, 1994.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: USS Gridley (CG-21) was the third U.S. Navy ship named after Captain Charles Vernon Gridley, famed for Admiral Dewey's order, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley," at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.
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Leahy-class Guided Missile Cruiser: Originally commissioned as DLG-21, a "guided missile frigate," she was redesignated CG-21 (guided missile cruiser) in 1975 as part of a Navy-wide reclassification.
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Commissioned in 1963: USS Gridley was commissioned on 25 May 1963 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington.
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Vietnam War Service: Gridley served multiple tours off Vietnam, providing air defense and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers, and earning several campaign stars.
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Refits and Upgrades: Over her career, Gridley received substantial upgrades, including the New Threat Upgrade (NTU), enhancing her radar, missile systems, and electronic warfare capabilities during the 1980s.
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Persian Gulf Operations: In 1989, Gridley deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will, providing escort and air defense for reflagged Kuwaiti tankers in the region.
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Famous Sister Ships: As part of the Leahy-class, Gridley was one of nine “double-ender” cruisers, notable for having missile launchers both fore and aft.
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Homeport Changes: Over her service life, Gridley’s homeports included Long Beach, California, and later San Diego, reflecting the shifting focus of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
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Humanitarian Missions: Gridley participated in rescue operations, including rescuing Vietnamese refugees (“boat people”) in the South China Sea during the late 1970s.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Gridley was decommissioned on 21 January 1994 and was later scrapped, but her legacy continues with the commissioning of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Gridley (DDG-101) in 2007.
