About this Unit
USS John Paul Jones (DDG-32) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1967. Named after the Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet. During her active years, the ship participated in Vietnam War operations, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. Decommissioned in 1982, USS John Paul Jones was later used as a target and sunk during a fleet training exercise in 2001.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS John Paul Jones (DDG-32) was named after the Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones, famous for his declaration, "I have not yet begun to fight!"
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Initial Designation: The ship was originally commissioned as USS John Paul Jones (DD-932), a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, before being reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-32) in 1967.
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Conversion to Guided Missile Destroyer: Between 1965 and 1967, she underwent a major conversion at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to receive modern missile armaments, enhancing her air defense and anti-ship capabilities.
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Vietnam War Service: USS John Paul Jones served off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and participating in Operation Sea Dragon, which targeted North Vietnamese logistics.
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Cold War Operations: The ship regularly conducted patrols and exercises in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, demonstrating U.S. naval power during the height of the Cold War.
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Homeport: After her conversion, her homeport was moved to Long Beach, California, where she became a familiar sight at the West Coast naval base.
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Rescue Operations: In 1975, the ship played a key role in rescuing Vietnamese refugees during the fall of Saigon, offering humanitarian assistance at sea.
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Decommissioning: After a distinguished career, USS John Paul Jones was decommissioned on December 15, 1982, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1985.
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Final Fate: The ship was sunk as a target during naval exercises in 2001, serving one last time to help train and test U.S. naval weaponry and tactics.
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Legacy: The name "John Paul Jones" lives on with the commissioning of USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, continuing the legacy of excellence and service.
