About this Unit
USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1960. Named after Admiral Henry Braid Wilson, the ship served prominently during the Vietnam War, performing naval gunfire support, search and rescue, and escort duties. Throughout her service, Henry B. Wilson earned multiple battle stars for her actions off the coast of Vietnam. The destroyer continued to serve in various roles in the Pacific Fleet until her decommissioning in 1989.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake: USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) was named after Admiral Henry Braid Wilson, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served in World War I and was known for his command of U.S. naval forces in France.
•
Class & Type: She was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer, the first class of guided missile destroyers built for the U.S. Navy.
•
Commissioning: USS Henry B. Wilson was commissioned on 17 December 1960, with her homeport in San Diego, California.
•
Vietnam War Service: She served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane-guarding aircraft carriers, and participating in search and rescue operations.
•
Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, Henry B. Wilson was one of the ships involved in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, providing vital support and rescuing refugees.
•
Rescue of Downed Pilots: The ship is credited with rescuing numerous downed American pilots during combat operations off Vietnam’s coast.
•
Technological Firsts: As a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer, she was among the first U.S. warships equipped with the Tartar guided missile system.
•
Middle East Deployments: In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the ship conducted Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf deployments, showing the flag and providing a U.S. naval presence during regional crises.
•
Decommissioning: Henry B. Wilson was decommissioned on 2 October 1989 after nearly 29 years of service, one of the last ships of her class to leave active duty.
•
Final Fate: The ship was sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2003, giving her a final role in training the next generation of naval forces.
