About this Unit
USS Gyatt (DDG-1) began her service as a Gearing-class destroyer, commissioned in 1945 at the close of World War II. In the 1950s, she made history by becoming the first guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy after being converted and redesignated as DDG-1 in 1956. Gyatt was fitted with Terrier surface-to-air missiles, serving as a test platform for advanced missile systems and new naval technologies. She remained active in various training and evaluation roles until her decommissioning in 1969, leaving a legacy as a pioneering ship in the evolution of naval warfare.
Historical Facts
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First Guided Missile Destroyer: USS Gyatt (DDG-1) made history in 1956 by becoming the first U.S. Navy destroyer to be equipped with guided missiles, specifically the Terrier missile system. This conversion marked her hull as DDG-1, the first of her kind.
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Namesake Hero: The ship was named after Corporal Edward Earl Gyatt, a Marine who posthumously received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.
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Original Classification: USS Gyatt was originally commissioned as DD-712, a Gearing-class destroyer, in 1945 and served as a conventional destroyer before her conversion.
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Experimental Platform: After her missile conversion, Gyatt served as an experimental platform to evaluate the integration of guided missile technology on destroyer-sized ships.
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Unusual Configuration: To accommodate her missile launchers, Gyatt had her aft 5-inch gun mount removed and replaced with a twin Terrier missile launcher, which was unusual for her class.
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Cold War Service: During her service as a missile destroyer, she participated in numerous Cold War exercises and operations, helping to develop Navy tactics for missile warfare.
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Training Ship: After her initial service as a missile testbed, Gyatt was used extensively as a training ship for crews destined for newer missile destroyers and cruisers.
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Decommissioned Early: Despite her pioneering role, Gyatt was decommissioned in 1969, earlier than many of her Gearing-class sisters, as newer purpose-built missile ships entered service.
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Legacy: The success and lessons learned from USS Gyatt’s conversion paved the way for the development of the Charles F. Adams-class (DDG-2) and subsequent missile destroyers.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS Gyatt was sunk as a target off the coast of Virginia in June 1970, ending her trailblazing career beneath the waves.
