USS Halsey (CG-23)

• Namesake: USS Halsey (CG-23) was named after Fleet Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey Jr., a famous and aggressive World War II naval commander in the Pacific Theater. • Class and Type: The ship was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, originally designated as DLG-23 (Destroyer Leader, Guided Missile), and later reclassified as CG-23 (Cruiser, Guided Missile). • Commissioning: USS Halsey was commissioned on 20 July 1963 at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, marking her entry into active service during the Cold War era. • Technological Firsts: As part of the Leahy-class, Halsey was among the first US Navy ships designed from the keel up as guided missile warships, featuring the "double-ender" missile system with launchers fore and aft. • Vietnam War Service: Halsey served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing anti-aircraft and anti-submarine support and also serving as a positive symbol of US naval power. • Notable Rescue: In 1972, during operations in the South China Sea, Halsey rendered assistance to a Vietnamese fishing boat in distress, helping to rescue sailors and earning praise for humanitarian efforts. • Reclassification: On 30 June 1975, Halsey was reclassified from DLG-23 to CG-23 as part of a Navy-wide reorganization to better reflect the ship’s role as a cruiser. • Flagship Duties: At various times, Halsey served as the flagship for Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5, highlighting her importance in fleet operations and command-and-control functions. • Decommissioning: After nearly three decades of service, USS Halsey was decommissioned on 28 January 1994 and later scrapped, ending her distinguished naval career. • Legacy: USS Halsey (CG-23) earned eight battle stars for her Vietnam War service, and her legacy lives on through the current Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey (DDG-97), named in honor of Admiral Halsey.