USS John S. McCain (DDG-36)

• Namesake Legacy: USS John S. McCain (DL-3/DDG-36) was named after two distinguished US Navy officers: Admiral John S. McCain Sr. and Admiral John S. McCain Jr., the grandfather and father of Senator John McCain. • Forrest Sherman-class Destroyer: The ship was originally commissioned as a Mitscher-class destroyer leader (DL-3) before being reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-36) in 1969. • Commissioning Date: The vessel was launched on July 12, 1952, and commissioned into service on October 12, 1953. • Vietnam War Service: USS John S. McCain served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, patrol duties, and acting as a flagship for various task groups. • Flagship Role: The ship served as flagship of the US Seventh Fleet from April 1968 to September 1969, coordinating major naval operations in the Pacific. • Reclassification: In 1969, the ship was reclassified from DL-3 (destroyer leader) to DDG-36 (guided missile destroyer), reflecting upgrades to her weaponry and capabilities. • Technological Upgrades: During its service, John S. McCain received significant upgrades including the addition of the RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missile system, enhancing its air defense capabilities. • Humanitarian Missions: The destroyer was involved in several humanitarian missions, including the evacuation of refugees from Vietnam in the 1970s. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS John S. McCain was decommissioned on April 29, 1978, and later sold for scrap, ending a distinguished career of nearly 25 years. • Legacy Continues: The name USS John S. McCain continues with DDG-56, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, honoring the same family legacy and serving actively in the US Navy today.