USS JOUETT(CG29)

• Namesake: USS Jouett (CG-29) was named after Rear Admiral James Edward Jouett, a distinguished officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. • Class: She was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser, originally designated DLG-29 (destroyer leader), and later reclassified as CG-29 (cruiser) in 1975. • Commissioning: Jouett was commissioned on 3 December 1966, at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, with Captain Robert S. Hayes in command. • Vietnam War Service: The ship saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and participating in operations such as "Linebacker" and "Frequent Wind." • Operation Eagle Pull: In April 1975, USS Jouett took part in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as the Khmer Rouge advanced on the capital. • Flagship Duties: Jouett served as the flagship for Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5 and for the Commander, Middle East Force, during her career, highlighting her importance in command and control roles. • Cold War Patrols: Throughout the Cold War, Jouett conducted numerous Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments, projecting American naval power and supporting US interests worldwide. • Technological Upgrades: The ship underwent significant upgrades during her service, including the installation of advanced missile systems like the Standard Missile and anti-submarine warfare equipment. • Decommissioning: USS Jouett was decommissioned on 28 January 1994 after more than 27 years of service and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. • Final Fate: In 2007, the ship was sunk as a target during a training exercise off the coast of Hawaii, serving one last time to help train and prepare the next generation of naval personnel.