USS Harry E. Yarnell (CG 17)

• Namesake: USS Harry E. Yarnell (CG-17) was named after Admiral Harry E. Yarnell, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer known for his innovative tactics and key role in naval aviation development. • Class: She was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, originally classified as a "destroyer leader" (DLG-17) before being redesignated CG-17 in 1975. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 2 February 1963 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. • Vietnam War Service: USS Harry E. Yarnell served in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and anti-aircraft defense. • Cold War Operations: Throughout the Cold War, the ship participated in numerous NATO exercises and shadowed Soviet naval vessels, playing a key role in U.S. maritime strategy. • Lebanon Crisis: In 1983, Yarnell was deployed off the coast of Lebanon to support peacekeeping operations during the Lebanese Civil War and the Multinational Force presence in Beirut. • Technological Innovation: She was one of the first U.S. Navy ships equipped with the advanced Terrier surface-to-air missile system, enhancing the fleet's air defense capabilities. • Historic Visit to the Black Sea: In 1976, Yarnell made a notable port visit to Constanta, Romania, marking a rare instance of a U.S. warship in the Black Sea during the Cold War era. • Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on 20 October 1993 after more than 30 years of service, and was later scrapped in 2002. • Crew Traditions: Sailors who served aboard affectionately nicknamed her "The Yarnell Express," and the ship developed a reputation for a hardworking, close-knit crew.