About this Unit
USS John Paul Jones (DD-932) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1956. Named after the Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, NATO operations, and crisis responses during the Cold War. She played a role in both the Cuban Missile Crisis and Mediterranean deployments, showcasing the versatility and readiness of the U.S. Navy's surface fleet. After decades of service, USS John Paul Jones was reclassified as DDG-32, later decommissioned in 1982, and ultimately expended as a target in 2001.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: USS John Paul Jones (DD-932) was named after the famous American Revolutionary War naval captain, John Paul Jones, known as the "Father of the American Navy."
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Forrest Sherman-Class: The ship was the second vessel in the Forrest Sherman-class of destroyers, a class designed in the 1950s to incorporate advanced anti-submarine and anti-aircraft capabilities.
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Launched in 1955: USS John Paul Jones was launched on 7 May 1955 by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and commissioned on 5 April 1956.
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Cold War Service: The destroyer served extensively during the Cold War, participating in NATO exercises, patrols, and operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the ship was part of the naval quarantine (blockade) of Cuba, helping enforce US policy against Soviet missile shipments.
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Vietnam War Deployment: USS John Paul Jones deployed to the Western Pacific and took part in Vietnam War operations, providing naval gunfire support and serving on Yankee Station.
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First U.S. Ship to Visit Leningrad: In July 1975, the destroyer made history as the first US Navy ship to visit Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) since World War II, promoting détente.
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Decommissioned and Reclassified: In December 1973, she was reclassified as a training ship (DD-932 to DDG-32) and served in this role until decommissioned on 15 December 1982.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was used as a test and target vessel before being sunk off the coast of California in 2001.
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Legacy Continued: The name and legacy of John Paul Jones live on in the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), commissioned in 1993.
